Inheritance & Probate Law · Europe
Plan Your Estate Now With an Estate Planning Lawyer, and Spare Your Family the Mess Later
Estate planning is how you decide today who receives what, how it is taxed and who makes decisions if you cannot — before the law decides for you. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who handles estate planning in your European country every day, so your wishes actually hold up when they are needed.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
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Who this is for
Estate planning is not only for the wealthy — it is for anyone who wants their wishes to count
Estate planning is the forward-looking work of arranging how your assets will be managed and distributed during your lifetime and after your death. It goes far beyond writing a will: it covers choosing the right structure for your property, understanding how inheritance tax will affect your family, and preparing documents that let someone you trust act on your behalf if you become unable to manage your own affairs. It matters for parents who want to protect their children, couples whose assets span more than one country, business owners whose company is their main asset, and anyone living abroad whose wishes could otherwise collide with forced-heirship rules. Done well, planning gives your family clarity instead of conflict, and can significantly reduce the tax and legal friction they would otherwise face. Done late or not at all, it leaves the default rules — and often the courts — to decide.
Why people leave it too late
Nobody plans to be caught out —
that is exactly how they get caught out.
Without an estate plan, the default rules decide who gets what and how much tax is paid, and the results rarely match what people wanted.
Default rules you never chose
If you die without a valid will, a country’s intestacy rules decide who inherits — and those rules may leave your partner, stepchildren or chosen causes with nothing you intended for them.
A bigger tax bill than necessary
Without planning, an estate can lose far more to inheritance tax than it needed to, simply because assets were held or transferred in a way that did not make use of available reliefs.
No one empowered to act
If you are incapacitated without a lasting power of attorney or equivalent in place, your family may have to ask a court for authority to manage your affairs — a slow, stressful process at the worst possible time.
What you get
An estate planning lawyer who builds a plan that actually holds up
We only match you with lawyers who structure estates and draft the necessary documents regularly in your country.
A plan built around your life
Your lawyer looks at your assets, family and where you live, then structures a plan that reflects your actual wishes rather than a generic template.
Tax-efficient structuring
Assets and gifts are arranged to make legitimate use of allowances and reliefs, so more of what you have reaches the people you care about.
Documents that stand up
Wills, powers of attorney and any trusts or equivalent arrangements are drafted so they are valid and effective in the relevant jurisdiction.
Peace of mind, refreshed over time
Your plan is reviewed as your life changes — marriage, children, a move abroad — so it never drifts out of date or fails when it is finally needed.
Coverage
Estate planning lawyers across Europe
Estate planning must be built around the specific succession, forced-heirship and tax rules of the country where you live and hold assets, so the right lawyer is one who practises there. We match cases across the following and beyond:
Frequently asked
Estate planning — common questions
What is the difference between a will and an estate plan?
A will is one document, while an estate plan is the broader strategy around it — covering how assets are structured, how tax is managed, and who can act for you if you lose capacity. A plan typically includes a will but goes well beyond it.
Do I need estate planning if I am not wealthy?
Usually yes. Planning is about making sure your wishes are respected and your family is protected, not just about tax. Even modest estates can trigger disputes, unnecessary tax or court proceedings if no plan is in place.
What is a lasting power of attorney?
It is a document that appoints someone you trust to manage your financial or personal affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. The exact name and rules differ by country, but without one your family may need court authority to act.
Can I control who inherits my assets in Europe?
Within limits, yes, but many European countries apply forced-heirship rules that reserve a share of the estate for close relatives regardless of your wishes. The extent to which you can choose depends on the governing law, which a lawyer can clarify.
How can I reduce inheritance tax for my family?
There are legitimate ways to reduce inheritance tax — such as gifts during your lifetime, certain asset structures and available reliefs — but the rules are specific to each country and change over time. A lawyer can advise on what actually applies to your situation.
I live in one country but have assets in another — do I need planning for both?
Yes. Cross-border estates can be subject to different succession and tax rules in each country, and planning can help coordinate them. A lawyer experienced in cross-border matters can ensure your plan works across every relevant jurisdiction.
Free case review
The best time to plan is before you need it
Tell us about your assets and family and we’ll connect you with an estate planning lawyer who structures cases like yours in your country — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.