Under inheritance law in Turkey, heirs—whether Turkish citizens or foreign nationals—have the right to renounce an estate if they choose not to accept legal or financial responsibility for the deceased’s assets and liabilities. This legal option, known as renouncing inheritance in Turkey, is commonly exercised by heirs inheriting debt-heavy estates, properties with unresolved zoning issues, or complex multi-party assets. At Istanbul Law Firm, we assist foreign heirs in Turkey with every step of the estate refusal process, ensuring compliance with court protocols and protection from future creditor claims.
The legal grounds for estate refusal in Turkey are outlined in Article 605 of the Turkish Civil Code. However, executing this right requires timely and procedurally correct action. The rejection must be filed within three months of awareness, and failure to do so results in automatic acceptance under Turkish inheritance procedure. Our English speaking lawyer in Turkey prepares legally binding declarations, coordinates with consulates for POA issuance, and ensures proper submission to the Peace Civil Court. As a trusted Turkish Law Firm, we deliver these services in full compliance with inheritance, civil, and tax regulations.
This guide is for foreign heirs in Turkey who have inherited property, company shares, or liabilities and wish to formally renounce their inheritance. Whether the estate includes high-value real estate, cross-border assets, or litigation-prone holdings, Istanbul Law Firm ensures legal clarity and procedural protection. Backed by a team of inheritance specialists, tax advisors, and Turkish real estate lawyer support, we are recognized as the best lawyer firm in Turkey for succession planning and rejection strategy for international clients.
Legal Framework for Renouncing Inheritance in Turkey
Renouncing inheritance in Turkey is a legal right—but not an informal one. It requires an official declaration submitted to the Peace Civil Court (Sulh Hukuk Mahkemesi) located in the district where the deceased was registered. This must be done within a non-extendable period of three months from the date of notification or the heir’s actual knowledge of the death. Our Turkish Law Firm monitors this timeline closely for clients abroad, coordinating with local courts to confirm acceptance of the inheritance refusal petition.
The declaration must be unconditional and absolute. Turkish law does not allow partial rejection or selective inheritance. If the heir attempts to sell or claim part of the estate before renouncing, it may be interpreted as implied acceptance. At Istanbul Law Firm, we prepare comprehensive case strategies to protect heirs from inadvertent liability. Our English speaking lawyer in Turkey works with heirs from the U.S., U.K., EU, and Middle East to coordinate dual-jurisdiction renunciations where cross-border succession is involved.
Filing from abroad is fully legal if executed via a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney. Foreign heirs in Turkey can act through their appointed legal representative, and we file both the POA and inheritance renunciation simultaneously with the court. Our Turkish real estate lawyer also verifies any property registrations tied to the estate, ensuring that all title deeds are marked as unclaimed or renounced where required. As the best lawyer firm in Turkey for succession matters, Istanbul Law Firm ensures heirs are protected from debt, litigation, and tax liability after legal renunciation. Related: Foreigners’ Inheritance Rights in Turkey, Inheritance Tax Risk Management.
Which Inheritances Can Be Rejected and Why?
Under inheritance law in Turkey, any heir—foreign or domestic—has the right to reject an entire estate, regardless of its value or composition. This legal principle applies whether the inheritance includes movable assets, real estate, company shares, or outstanding debts. Renouncing inheritance in Turkey becomes especially relevant when the estate is insolvent, encumbered by lawsuits, or contains properties with unresolved legal or tax issues. At Istanbul Law Firm, we analyze the financial, legal, and administrative profile of each estate before advising on full renunciation or alternative strategies such as acceptance with court protection.
In practice, foreign heirs in Turkey often inherit property or company stakes they neither want nor are able to manage. These may include inherited apartments with unpaid taxes, commercial real estate subject to expropriation risk, or assets located in military or restricted zones. In such cases, our Turkish real estate lawyer conducts a title deed review (tapu sorgulama), assesses municipal zoning records, and checks for liens or mortgage enforcement. Based on this analysis, Istanbul Law Firm provides written legal opinions to support the heir’s decision to execute an estate refusal in Turkey.
There is no minimum value or special asset type required for rejection. The law does not distinguish between estates worth €500 or €5 million—what matters is that the heir acts within the legal timeframe and does not engage with the estate prior to renunciation. If a foreign heir withdraws money from a Turkish bank account or rents out inherited real estate, the action may be interpreted as implicit acceptance. Our English speaking lawyer in Turkey ensures heirs take no premature action and helps structure the timeline legally. Turkish Law Firm also coordinates with civil law notaries and courts abroad if the estate has international components. Related: Checking Title of Inherited Property, Inherited Companies: Accept or Reject?.
Risks of Failing to Renounce an Inheritance in Time
Under inheritance law Turkey, if an heir—foreign or domestic—does not renounce an inheritance within the legal timeframe of three months, the estate is deemed accepted by default. This “automatic acceptance” can expose the heir to all liabilities associated with the estate, including outstanding debts, tax arrears, lawsuits, or mortgage enforcement. For foreign heirs in Turkey, the risk is even higher due to lack of proximity and local knowledge. At Istanbul Law Firm, we routinely assist heirs who have unknowingly accepted burdened estates and now face enforcement action or property seizure.
The legal assumption of acceptance means that the heir becomes fully responsible for all obligations of the deceased—even if they had no intention of claiming the assets. This includes unpaid income taxes, property taxes, loan guarantees, and litigation awards. Our Turkish Law Firm provides litigation defense for heirs who missed the deadline and helps mitigate consequences through court applications for misrepresentation, error, or forced consent. Our English speaking lawyer in Turkey also coordinates with embassies and legal representatives abroad to explain the risks and potential remedies available under Turkish inheritance law.
One common scenario involves foreign heirs who are unaware that they were named in a Turkish will or who receive no formal notification. While lack of notification may serve as a legal defense in some cases, Turkish courts require a clear timeline of knowledge and inaction. To avoid legal entanglement, we recommend working with a Turkish real estate lawyer and inheritance specialist immediately after learning of a death or probate situation. Istanbul Law Firm, recognized as the best lawyer firm in Turkey for cross-border succession, ensures heirs preserve their rights and avoid default acceptance by taking swift legal action. Related: Legal Capacity and Inheritance, Legal Residency vs. Inheritance Liability.
Can You Renounce Inheritance From Abroad?
Yes—renouncing inheritance in Turkey can be done remotely by submitting a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney (POA) from abroad. Foreign heirs who reside outside of Turkey are not required to appear in person before a Turkish court. Instead, they may appoint a Turkish Law Firm to act on their behalf. At Istanbul Law Firm, we draft dual-language POA documents compliant with Turkish Civil Code standards and guide heirs through notarization and legalization procedures in their home country. This allows heirs to complete the entire Turkish inheritance procedure from abroad with zero travel.
The POA must grant specific authority to renounce inheritance, and it must be notarized in the heir’s country and either apostilled (if from a Hague Convention country) or legalized via the nearest Turkish consulate. Once received, our team files the renunciation request at the appropriate Peace Civil Court, along with supporting documents such as the death certificate, passport, and translated POA. Our English speaking lawyer in Turkey ensures that no procedural detail is missed and confirms court registration within the statutory deadline.
This remote process is especially critical for foreign heirs in Turkey who inherit assets such as real estate, bank accounts, or shares in Turkish companies. If no action is taken from abroad, Turkish authorities will assume acceptance of the estate and assign liability accordingly. Our Turkish real estate lawyer verifies any inherited tapu records and ensures the estate is correctly removed from the land registry when rejection is filed. As the best lawyer firm in Turkey for inheritance cases, Istanbul Law Firm handles international estate refusals with full transparency, bilingual communication, and timeline tracking. Related: Using POA in Turkish Legal Processes, Cross-Border Inheritance and Tax Risk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I renounce an inheritance in Turkey from abroad? Yes. Through a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney, you can legally reject an estate without traveling.
- What is the time limit for renouncing inheritance in Turkey? 3 months from when the heir is informed or becomes aware of the inheritance.
- What if I miss the deadline? The estate is deemed accepted, and you may be liable for any debts or obligations.
- Can I reject only part of the inheritance? No. Turkish inheritance law only permits full rejection of the entire estate.
- Who do I notify to renounce the inheritance? You must submit a written declaration to the Peace Civil Court (Sulh Hukuk Mahkemesi).
- What documents are required? Passport, POA (if abroad), death certificate, and sometimes inheritance certificate or will copy.
- What is Istanbul Law Firm’s role? We draft POAs, file court petitions, monitor deadlines, and ensure all actions are legally valid.
- Can I renounce an inheritance that includes real estate? Yes. Our Turkish real estate lawyer ensures all title records are cleared post-rejection.
- Can my heirs reject an estate I passed to them? Yes. Every heir has the same right under inheritance law Turkey.
- Is the renunciation process public? Yes. It becomes part of the estate record and court registers.
- Do I pay inheritance tax if I reject? No. Once you renounce, you bear no tax burden or liability.
- Who is the best lawyer firm in Turkey for inheritance matters? Istanbul Law Firm—with expert Turkish Law Firm services, bilingual English speaking lawyer in Turkey support, and trusted global coordination.
Contact Our Turkish Law Firm
If you’ve inherited property, debt, or litigation risk in Turkey and prefer not to accept, Istanbul Law Firm will guide you through a secure and lawful renunciation. With our experienced English speaking lawyer in Turkey, we handle the entire process—drafting documents, filing in court, and coordinating with consulates. As the best lawyer firm in Turkey for cross-border inheritance, we protect your rights and your peace of mind.