International Inheritance Law and Probate Cases for High Net Worth Individuals Throughout Turkey

Yes, but conditions apply. Foreign nationals can inherit both movables (money, shares, vehicles) and immovables (land, houses, apartments) in Turkey. However, for real estate inheritance, the reciprocity principle requirement applies (Turkish Land Registry Law Art. 35). This means if the foreigner's country of citizenship also grants inheritance rights to Turkish citizens, that foreigner can also inherit real estate in Turkey. EU countries, USA, UK, Russia generally satisfy the reciprocity requirement. Additionally, there are limitations on the amount of real estate a foreigner can inherit: maximum 30 hectares (300,000 m²) per person, maximum 10% of the district area. Real estate cannot be acquired in military restricted zones and security areas.

Forced share is the minimum inheritance right that Turkish Civil Code grants to certain heirs (descendants, parents, spouse). The testator cannot violate this share by will. Forced share rates are as follows: 1/2 of statutory inheritance share for descendants (children), 1/4 of statutory inheritance share for parents, all of statutory inheritance share for surviving spouse. Example: If testator leaves 10 million TL estate with 2 children, each child's statutory share is 5 million TL. Each child's forced share is 2.5 million TL (5M × 1/2). Testator must allocate total 5 million TL (2 × 2.5M) to children by will. Remaining 5 million TL can be left to anyone desired. If will violates children's forced shares, children can file reduction claim to demand return of excess.

Inheritance case duration varies by case type and complexity. Probate certificate 2-4 months in simple cases, 6-18 months in complex (multi-heir, foreign element) cases. Amicable estate division can be completed in 1 day - 1 month if all heirs agree. Contested estate division lawsuit takes 1-3 years at first instance court, +1 year with appeal, +1-2 years with Supreme Court, total 2-7 years. Reduction claim similarly takes 2-5 years. Will contest lawsuit is around 1-3 years. Testator fraud lawsuit may take 2-4 years. International element cases (foreign asset, foreign court decision recognition) may take 3-6 years. Important note: In high-value estates (500,000 USD+), parties generally use all legal remedies (appeal, Supreme Court), so processes tend to be prolonged.

Without a will, Turkish Civil Code's statutory heirship provisions apply. Statutory heirs are divided into classes: 1st Class (descendants): Children and grandchildren. If testator has children, inheritance is divided equally among children. If a child is deceased, their share passes to their own children (testator's grandchildren). 2nd Class (parental lineage): If testator has no children, inheritance passes to parents. If parents are not alive, shares are given to siblings. 3rd Class (grandparents): If 1st and 2nd classes don't exist, inheritance goes to grandparents. Surviving spouse: Spouse inherits together with each class. If 1st class (children) exists, spouse's share is 1/4. If 2nd class (parents) exists, spouse's share is 1/2. If 3rd class exists, spouse's share is 3/4. If no class exists, spouse takes entire inheritance alone. Example: If testator dies leaving 2 children and spouse, spouse takes 1/4 (2.5M), each child takes 3/8 (3.75M) (total 10M inheritance).

To bring foreign inheritance to Turkey, following steps are taken: Probate procedures are completed in foreign country (heirship certificate, probate of will, etc. according to that country's law). If real estate exists, title transfer is made in that country, after sale money is transferred to Turkey. Bank accounts and securities are transferred to heir's name. SWIFT/EFT is used for money transfer to Turkey, tax declaration (if tax resident in Turkey) may be required. For foreign court decision or documents to be valid in Turkey, apostille (Hague Convention) or authentication chain is required. Sworn translation is mandatory. If foreign court decision needs to be used in Turkey (for example, if it also covers assets in Turkey), recognition and enforcement lawsuit must be filed (MÖHUK Art. 54 et seq.). Our office cooperates with partner foreign attorneys (UK, Russia, France, Germany, Ukraine) in international coordination, manages apostille and translation processes, provides legal support in money transfer to Turkey.

Inheritance attorney fees are determined based on case type, estate value, and process complexity. Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff (Turkish Bar Association) determines basic fee framework, but free agreement is made in high-value cases. Fee models: Flat fee (specific amount, for example 50,000-150,000 TL for probate certificate), hourly rate (hourly consultation, generally 5,000-15,000 TL/hour), success fee (5-15% of inherited value obtained), hybrid model (flat + success fee combination). In high-value cases (500,000 USD+ estate), success fee models are preferred because attorney receives fee based on performance. Example: In 5 million TL estate division case, agreement can be made as 200,000 TL flat + 10% of excess share obtained as success fee. Fees are determined by written attorney contract and disclosed transparently. Case evaluation is made at initial consultation and estimated fee information is provided. Our office offers special packages for high net worth clients.