Accepting an Inheritance in Georgia — Attorney in Tbilisi
After the death of a relative, settling the estate often brings additional difficulties: finding documents, meeting deadlines, reaching agreement among the heirs. We help you accept the inheritance correctly and on time, before the notary, at the Public Registry and, where necessary, in court.
How an inheritance is accepted
Inheritance in Georgia arises by law or under a will. An heir can accept the estate in two ways: by filing an application with a notary, or by actually taking possession of and managing the estate property.
The law sets a deadline for accepting an inheritance, which runs from the date of death. It is therefore important to contact a notary or an attorney in good time. We will explain the exact deadline and the steps required during the consultation.
Once the certificate of inheritance is issued, the property is registered in the heir’s name at the Public Registry.
How we can help
- Obtaining the certificate of inheritance: preparing the documents and representing you before the notary;
- Establishing in court that the inheritance was accepted by actual possession;
- Restoring a missed time limit for acceptance, if it was missed for a valid reason (this may require a court decision);
- Registering inherited property at the Public Registry;
- Dividing the estate among the heirs;
- Disputes over the validity of a will and the compulsory share;
- Matters relating to renouncing an inheritance.
How we work
- Consultation: we establish who the heirs are, what the estate consists of and which documents exist.
- Deadlines and route: we determine whether the deadline has been met and which route is advisable.
- Documents: we collect and prepare all the documents required.
- Notary and Registry: we assist with the certificate of inheritance and the registration of the property.
- Court: where there is a dispute or the deadline must be restored, we represent you in court.
Documents you will need
- The death certificate of the deceased;
- The heir’s identity document;
- Documents proving kinship (birth and marriage certificates, etc.);
- The will, if there is one;
- Documents relating to the estate property: a Public Registry extract, bank account information, etc.
We will determine the exact list of documents after reviewing your case.
If you live abroad
You do not have to travel to Georgia. We can act on your behalf under a power of attorney, and we will tell you how documents issued abroad should be certified and translated.
Why LCG LEGAL
Our founding partner, Sulkhan Kapanadze, is a general-practice attorney (member of the Georgian Bar Association, registration No. 7348) with 15 years of professional experience, including 10 years as a practising attorney. An estate often includes real estate, and we also handle land registration and real estate matters, so we see the process through to the end.
See also: Family and Inheritance Law, Land Registration, Litigation, Arbitration and Enforcement.
Frequently asked questions
How do I accept an inheritance?
By filing an application with a notary, or by actually taking possession of and managing the estate property. We assess which route is advisable for you.
How long do I have to accept an inheritance?
The deadline is set by law and runs from the date of death. We will explain the exact deadline during the consultation; it is important to contact us in good time.
I missed the deadline. Can I still inherit?
Depending on why it was missed, restoring a missed time limit may require a court decision, or the court may establish that the inheritance was accepted by actual possession. We assess which route is open in your case.
What is acceptance by actual possession?
It means that the heir has started to possess or manage the estate property within the period set by law, for example by living in the inherited house, maintaining it or paying the related expenses. In such cases it may be necessary to have this fact established in court.
What if there are several heirs?
The estate is distributed among the heirs in the shares defined by law or by the will. If no agreement is reached, the division of the property may be decided by a court.
Which documents should I bring to the consultation?
The death certificate, documents proving kinship, the will (if any) and the documents for the estate property.
Contact us
Need help accepting an inheritance? Call +995 577 404 750 (WhatsApp), email info@lcglegal.ge or request a consultation. Meetings by appointment — 25 Al. Kazbegi Ave., Tbilisi. Consultations are also available online by video call.
Do you need legal assistance?
Contact us or call by phone. We are open for cooperation.