Inheritance, Probate & Wills · European Union
Protect Your Rights as an Inheritance Beneficiary Across Borders
Being named in a will or entitled to a share under the law is one thing — actually receiving it is another. Executors who delay, co-beneficiaries who contest, and assets scattered across several countries all stand between you and what you are owed. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted inheritance lawyer who works with beneficiaries every day, from reading the will through to enforcing your share.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
If you are entitled to a share of an estate, your rights still have to be enforced
A beneficiary is any person or organisation named to receive assets from an estate, whether under a will or, where no valid will exists, under the default inheritance rules of the country that governs the estate. That sounds straightforward until the estate spans borders, the will is disputed, the executor is slow or uncommunicative, or a co-beneficiary challenges the size of your share. You may be a spouse, a child, a sibling, a partner or a charity — the common thread is that you are entitled to something and need to know your rights are being respected. Understanding which country’s law applies, what documents prove your entitlement, and what you can do when distribution stalls is difficult to navigate alone, especially from another country and in a language that is not your own.
Why beneficiaries get stuck
Being named as a beneficiary is only the start.
Receiving your share can take years.
Executors, courts and co-heirs each have their own pace and interests — and a passive beneficiary is often the last to be paid.
The executor goes silent
Months pass with no update, no accounts and no distribution plan. You have no idea whether the estate is being handled properly, and asking repeatedly gets you nowhere while assets sit frozen and unresolved.
Your share is being contested
A co-beneficiary or a disinherited relative challenges the will or argues that you should receive less. Without your own representation, you can watch your entitlement shrink while someone else’s lawyer frames the dispute.
Assets are spread across countries
The deceased held property, bank accounts or a business in more than one EU country. Different succession laws can apply to different assets, and gathering the full picture from abroad is nearly impossible on your own.
What you get
A lawyer who treats your entitlement as a real claim, not a courtesy
We only match you with inheritance lawyers who regularly represent beneficiaries — never the same lawyer acting for the estate against you.
Confirming your legal position
Your lawyer identifies which country’s succession law governs, reads the will in its original language, and tells you clearly what you are legally entitled to and how strong your position actually is.
Holding the executor to account
From requesting a formal inventory and accounts to pressing for timely distribution, your lawyer ensures the executor follows the correct procedure and does not sit on the estate indefinitely.
Defending your share in a dispute
If the will is challenged or another beneficiary contests your entitlement, your lawyer represents your interests directly and argues to protect the full value of your share.
Cross-border asset recovery
Where assets sit in more than one country, your lawyer coordinates with local specialists to identify, value and release your share — so no account, property or policy is quietly overlooked.
Coverage
Beneficiary lawyers across Europe
Succession law is national, and cross-border estates may involve several legal systems at once, so the right lawyer is one who practises in the country that governs the estate. We match beneficiary cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Beneficiaries — common questions
How do I know if I am actually a beneficiary of an estate?
You may be named in the will, or you may be entitled automatically under the default succession rules of the country whose law governs the estate — for example, as a surviving spouse or child. A lawyer can review the will, the family situation and the applicable law to confirm whether and to what extent you have a claim.
Which country’s law decides who inherits?
This depends on rules that vary across Europe. In many EU countries the law of the deceased’s habitual residence at death governs succession, but nationality can also play a role, and different rules may apply to immovable property such as land. A cross-border specialist will identify which law actually applies to your case.
What can I do if the executor is not distributing the estate?
Beneficiaries generally have the right to request an inventory, accounts and a timeline for distribution. If the executor is unreasonably slow or uncooperative, a lawyer can press formally for action and, where necessary, seek the executor’s removal or court intervention.
Can I challenge how the estate is being divided?
In many countries beneficiaries can challenge a will, the valuation of assets, or a proposed distribution if they believe it is incorrect or unfair. The grounds and deadlines vary by country, so it is important to act promptly and take advice on the specific law that applies.
Do I inherit debts as well as assets?
In most European systems a beneficiary does not automatically become personally liable for the deceased’s debts, but the estate must settle its debts before assets are distributed — and some countries impose conditions on how you accept the inheritance. A lawyer will explain how liability is treated in your specific case.
What documents do I need to claim my inheritance?
Typically you will need the death certificate, the will if one exists, proof of your identity and relationship to the deceased, and evidence of the assets in question. For cross-border estates you may also need the European Certificate of Succession. A lawyer will confirm the exact, current list for your situation.
Free case review
Don’t wait for an executor to decide what you deserve
Tell us about the estate and your relationship to the deceased, and we’ll connect you with an inheritance lawyer who represents beneficiaries in the relevant country — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.