Inheritance & Probate Law · Europe
Get Through Probate Without Drowning in Forms, Deadlines and Legal Jargon
Probate is the legal process that gives someone the authority to deal with a deceased person’s estate — and it is rarely as simple as the guides suggest. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted probate lawyer who handles the process in your European country every day, from opening the estate through distributing it to the beneficiaries.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
If you are named in a will, or dealing with an estate without one, probate is the process in your way
Probate is the legal procedure by which a deceased person’s estate is formally validated and administered — confirming the will (if there is one), identifying the assets and debts, and giving the right person the authority to gather and distribute everything. In many European countries the concept works differently from the common-law model, and the practical steps vary considerably: some jurisdictions route everything through a notary or a court, others through a designated executor, and some have no formal probate requirement for smaller estates. You may be an executor named in a will, a close relative of someone who died without one, or a beneficiary waiting to understand what is happening. Whoever you are, the process is procedural and unforgiving of small mistakes, and the person responsible can be held personally accountable for errors.
Why probate overwhelms people
Probate is a procedure, not a form.
Miss a step and you own the consequences.
The process is dense with filings, valuations, notices and deadlines, and the person administering the estate is usually the one who carries the liability for mistakes.
Personal liability for mistakes
In most countries the person administering an estate can be held personally responsible for errors or delays that cause loss to beneficiaries — a burden most executors do not realise they have accepted.
Valuing and locating everything
Before anything can be distributed, every asset and debt must be identified, valued and confirmed — a task that easily overwhelms someone who is also grieving and handling a full-time life.
Confusing local procedure
Whether the estate runs through a court, a notary or an executor, each country has its own sequence of steps, notices and filings, and missing one can stall the whole settlement for months.
What you get
A probate lawyer who carries the process so you do not have to
We only match you with lawyers who administer estates and handle probate matters regularly in the relevant country.
The process handled end to end
Your lawyer takes over the procedural work — opening the estate, confirming the will, and completing the filings — so you are not left to interpret legal requirements alone.
Assets and debts identified
A full picture of the estate is assembled, including accounts, property and outstanding liabilities, so nothing is overlooked or distributed incorrectly.
Protection from personal liability
By handling the estate correctly and on time, your lawyer reduces the risk that you are held personally accountable for an error in administration.
Clear communication with beneficiaries
Your lawyer keeps the process moving and answers questions from beneficiaries, easing the friction that so often turns probate into a family dispute.
Coverage
Probate lawyers across Europe
Probate procedure is set nationally and differs sharply between common-law and civil-law traditions, so the right lawyer is one who practises in the country where the estate must be administered. We match cases across the following and beyond:
Frequently asked
Probate — common questions
What exactly is probate?
Probate is the legal process of validating a will and giving someone the authority to administer a deceased person’s estate — collecting assets, settling debts and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries. The specific procedure differs by country, and some jurisdictions handle it through a notary or court rather than a formal probate grant.
Do I always need probate?
Not always. In some countries a formal process is only required above a certain value, or when real estate or significant assets are involved, while small or jointly held estates may be dealt with more simply. A lawyer can confirm whether probate is needed in your case.
What happens if there is no will?
If someone dies without a will, their estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules of the governing country, which set out a fixed order of who inherits. The administration still has to be completed, and a lawyer can guide you through it.
How long does probate take?
This varies widely by country, the size of the estate and whether anything is contested. Simple estates may be settled in a matter of months, while complex or disputed ones can take considerably longer. A lawyer can give you a realistic sense for your situation.
Who is responsible for carrying out probate?
Depending on the country and whether there is a will, responsibility typically falls to a named executor, an administrator appointed for the estate, or in some civil-law systems a notary. That person has legal duties and can be accountable for how the estate is handled.
Can I be personally liable if probate goes wrong?
In many countries, yes. A person administering an estate can be held responsible for losses caused to beneficiaries by errors or unreasonable delay. Using a lawyer reduces that risk significantly, which is one of the main reasons families seek professional help.
Free case review
Hand over the process and get on with grieving
Tell us about the estate and we’ll connect you with a probate lawyer who administers cases like yours in the relevant country — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.