Estate planning · Moldova
Find an estate planning lawyer in Moldova who explains the local framework clearly
If you own property in Moldova, have family there, or expect an inheritance to cross borders, a licensed advocate can help you understand your options. We introduce you to specialists for a free first conversation, with no obligation.
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Estate planning in Moldova
Why estate planning matters in Moldova
If you own property in Moldova, have family there, or expect an inheritance to cross borders, you may need clear advice on how Moldovan private law applies to your situation. Estate planning is not only about making a will: it can involve reviewing how assets are held, who may act for you, and how disputes are resolved if family members disagree. The Republic of Moldova is a unitary state whose private law is codified in the Civil Code (Law No. 1107/2002), and legal assistance is provided by advocates registered with the Union of Lawyers of the Republic of Moldova. An estate planning lawyer in Moldova can explain the framework, prepare documents and, if necessary, represent you before the first-instance courts, the courts of appeal or the Supreme Court of Justice. We match you with a specialist for a free first conversation.
Local framework
How estate planning works in Moldova
Estate planning in Moldova sits within a civil-law system codified in the Civil Code. If a matter becomes contentious, it will pass through first-instance courts, appeal and recourse. Moldova has been an EU candidate since June 2022 and is implementing a judicial vetting process, so institutional details can change; always check the current position with your advocate.
Who may advise you in Moldova
Only advocates (avocați) registered with the Union of Lawyers of the Republic of Moldova, holding a licence under Law No. 1260/2002 and subject to the Statute of the profession, may provide legal assistance. In practice, you should check that your estate planning lawyer in Moldova is on the register. Legal assistance is normally provided under a written legal-assistance contract with you.
The civil law framework
Private law in Moldova is codified in the Civil Code (Law No. 1107/2002). Estate planning questions — how property is held, who may act for you, and what happens on succession — are civil-law matters. An advocate will read the Civil Code together with your documents and explain the options in plain language. Procedure, if a dispute arises, is governed by the Code of Civil Procedure (No. 225/2003).
If a dispute reaches the courts
Estate disputes are heard by first-instance courts (judecătorii). A first-instance judgment may be challenged by appeal (apel) before a court of appeal, and the appeal decision by recourse (recurs) before the Supreme Court of Justice. There is no third ordinary instance. Judgments do not become final until ordinary remedies are exhausted, in line with Article 2 of Protocol No. 7 to the ECHR. Moldova now lists three courts of appeal: Centru, Nord and Sud.
Language and interpretation
Romanian is the state language and procedural acts are drafted in Romanian. If you do not speak Romanian, you are entitled to acquaint yourself with the file and to speak through an interpreter free of charge. Official texts are published in the Official Gazette (Monitorul Oficial) and consolidated on Legis.md. An advocate can explain what this means for your estate planning documents.
Costs, fees and court taxes
Advocates’ fees are not fixed by the State: they are freely agreed between you and the advocate in the legal-assistance contract. Court fees are set by Law No. 213/2023 on the state tax, in force since 1 January 2024. Examples include a 250 lei state tax for non-pecuniary claims and a separate 200 lei stamp tax (taxa de timbru). Payments are made through the government MPay service. If you win, a court may order the losing party to reimburse necessary and reasonable costs.
Filing documents and access to aid
Claims, appeals and other procedural documents may be filed through the Integrated Case Management Programme (e-Dosar / PIGD), which requires an authenticated electronic identity; paper filing remains available. If you cannot afford representation, state-guaranteed legal aid may be available: primary legal aid is open to everyone, while qualified legal aid (representation by an advocate) is means-tested and administered by the National Council for State-Guaranteed Legal Aid and its territorial offices.
Country facts checked against official Moldovan sources (Legis.md, UAM.md, instante.justice.md and csj.md) as of 2026; institutional details can change, so verify current texts before relying on them.
- Constitution of the Republic of Moldova (arts. 13, 114–115)
- Civil Code No. 1107/2002
- Code of Civil Procedure No. 225/2003
- Law on advocacy No. 1260/2002
- Union of Lawyers of the Republic of Moldova
- Law No. 213/2023 on the state tax
- Law No. 198/2007 on state-guaranteed legal aid
- Portalul Național al Instanțelor de Judecată
- Supreme Court of Justice
Common concerns
What clients often worry about
These are the questions we hear most often from people with ties to Moldova.
Will my wishes be respected?
You have family in Moldova and property there, but you are unsure how Moldovan civil law will treat a will you made abroad. You want a clear explanation before you sign anything.
Heirs who do not agree
A parent has died and relatives cannot agree on how to divide assets in Moldova. You need to know which court would hear the dispute and what time limits apply.
Language and distance
You live outside Moldova, do not speak Romanian fluently, and worry about understanding documents or deadlines. You want an advocate who can explain the process in English and keep you informed.
How we help
A calmer way to find the right advocate
We do not give legal advice; we connect you with a licensed specialist.
Licensed advocates only
We match you with advocates registered with the Union of Lawyers of the Republic of Moldova, so you know your adviser is subject to the Statute of the profession and professional discipline.
Clear local knowledge
Your advocate can explain the Civil Code framework, the two-tier court remedies and the court fees set by Law No. 213/2023 without jargon.
English-speaking support
Many Moldovan advocates work in English, Romanian and Russian; where needed, interpretation is free of charge in court under Moldovan procedural rules.
Free first match
Tell us what you need once. We compare practice areas and language needs, then introduce you to a specialist; you decide whether to instruct them.
Cross-border context
Moldovan estate matters often involve these countries
If your family, assets or heirs are connected to another European country, your adviser may need to coordinate with a foreign colleague.
Questions and answers
Estate planning in Moldova: FAQ
What does an estate planning lawyer in Moldova do?
An estate planning lawyer in Moldova advises on how Moldovan civil law applies to your assets, prepares and reviews documents, and explains who may act for you. Only advocates registered with the Union of Lawyers may provide legal assistance. If a dispute arises, the same advocate can represent you before the first-instance court, on appeal or in recourse.
Can a foreign lawyer handle my Moldovan estate matter?
No. Legal assistance in Moldova is provided by advocates registered with the Union of Lawyers of the Republic of Moldova under Law No. 1260/2002. A foreign lawyer can coordinate with a Moldovan advocate, but cannot replace one for representation before Moldovan courts. We match you with a locally licensed advocate.
Which courts hear estate disputes in Moldova?
First-instance courts (judecătorii) hear the case. Their judgments may be appealed to a court of appeal (Curtea de Apel Centru, Nord or Sud), and the appeal decision may be challenged by recourse before the Supreme Court of Justice. There is no third ordinary instance.
What language will my Moldovan case be conducted in?
Romanian is the state language and procedural acts are drafted in Romanian. If you do not speak Romanian, you are entitled to acquaint yourself with the file and to speak through an interpreter free of charge. Your advocate can explain documents and ensure you follow the proceedings.
How much will an advocate charge?
Advocates’ fees are not fixed by the State: they are freely agreed in the legal-assistance contract. Court fees are separate and set by Law No. 213/2023, with a 250 lei state tax for non-pecuniary claims and a 200 lei stamp tax. Payments are made via MPay. Ask for a written fee agreement before instructing.
Can I file estate documents electronically?
Yes, procedural documents may be filed through the Integrated Case Management Programme (e-Dosar / PIGD) if you have an authenticated electronic identity. Paper filing remains available. For estate planning documents themselves, your advocate will explain the required form and any registration steps.
Next step
Speak to an estate planning lawyer in Moldova
Tell us briefly what you need. We will match you with an advocate registered with the Union of Lawyers of Moldova who handles estate planning, and you can decide whether to proceed.