RENUNCIATION OF INHERITANCE IN GREECE

There are situations when an unexpectedly inherited estate becomes a burden for the heir. In such cases, it is a completely natural desire to renounce it.

It is important to know that accepting an inheritance is a right, not an obligation of the heir. In this regard, the heir, by law or by will, has the right to renounce the inheritance within 4 months from the date of the testator’s death or from the date the heir is notified of their potential inheritance (depending on the degree of kinship, etc.). After this period, renunciation of the inheritance is not allowed.

If the renunciation of inheritance is not executed properly (e.g., at the wrong time, in the wrong place, by the wrong heirs, etc.), the person attempting to renounce the inheritance will be considered to have automatically accepted it.

Renunciation of inheritance is unconditional, and therefore, such a renunciation cannot be later changed or canceled, as it has no retroactive effect.

Renunciation of inheritance is a unilateral legal act and, accordingly, can only be carried out by a legally competent person. Individuals who are fully or partially incapacitated can renounce the inheritance only with the consent of their guardians or custodians.

Each inheritance case is unique and requires an individual approach. We have extensive experience in inheritance law and deal with matters such as succession rights, renunciation of inheritance, contesting wills, establishing ownership rights to an inheritance, inheritance formalization, and legal defense in inheritance-related court cases.