Inheritance Law · Poland
Inheritance lawyers in Poland
Losing a loved one is difficult, and Polish succession rules can feel complex. We match you with inheritance lawyers in Poland who understand the Civil Code, the six-month declaration deadline and the forced-heirship rules, so you can make informed decisions.
- Specialised in Polish succession law
- Help with cross-border estates under EU Regulation 650/2012
- Free matching with vetted adwokat and radca prawny
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Poland · Inheritance Law
Practical support for Polish succession matters
Dealing with a Polish estate raises practical questions that are often urgent: whether to accept or reject an inheritance, how Polish forced heirship rules affect family members, and how to transfer real property correctly. Inheritance lawyers in Poland guide you through the Civil Code, the six-month declaration deadline and the default acceptance with the benefit of inventory, which can protect you from unlimited liability for estate debts. Because Poland follows the continental legal model and maintains detailed rules on notarial deeds and the Land and Mortgage Register, working with a lawyer who knows local practice reduces the risk of formal invalidity. Our free matching service introduces you to vetted adwokat and radca prawny professionals in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and other Polish cities, so you can compare specialists and choose the right support for your situation.
How Polish inheritance law works
Key rules for estates in Poland
Polish succession law is found mainly in the Civil Code. It combines a six-month declaration period with a default acceptance limited to the value of the estate, and it protects close relatives through the forced-heirship regime known as zachowek. A lawyer who practices in this field can help you understand these rules and complete the required formalities.
Two legal professions can advise you
In Poland, inheritance work may be handled by an adwokat or a radca prawny. Both professions have had identical rights of audience before all Polish courts since 1 July 2015, and both are compulsory members of their professional self-governments, the Naczelna Rada Adwokacka and the Krajowa Rada Radców Prawnych.
Six-month declaration protects your position
An heir must accept or reject an inheritance within six months. If no declaration is made, Polish law now treats the heir as accepting the inheritance with the benefit of inventory. This limits liability for the deceased’s debts to the value of the inherited assets, rather than exposing the heir’s own property.
Forced heirship limits testamentary freedom
Polish succession law includes zachowek, a reserved portion for descendants, the spouse and the parents of the deceased. The reserved portion is one half of the intestate share, or two thirds where the entitled person is a minor or permanently incapable of work. This can create disputes that a lawyer can help resolve.
Real property requires a notarial deed
Any contract obliging a party to transfer ownership of real property, and the transfer itself, must be concluded as a notarial deed. The Polish notary verifies identity and capacity, controls legality and collects relevant taxes. Failure to use the notarial form makes the transaction null and void, so early coordination is essential.
Ownership is recorded in the Land and Mortgage Register
Polish real property and rights in rem are registered in the Land and Mortgage Register, kept electronically by the district courts. Each property has its own register, and entries enjoy a presumption of accuracy. Since 2017 the registers are searchable online by their KW number, which helps due diligence for succession involving Polish land.
Cross-border succession under EU Regulation 650/2012
For estates with links to Poland and another country, EU Regulation 650/2012 allows a testator to choose their national law to govern the succession. Polish forced heirship and real property formalities still need careful analysis. A lawyer can advise on how the chosen law interacts with Polish rules.
Key time limit — Inheritance, Probate & Wills
Inheritance acceptance or rejection declaration — 6 months. An heir must accept or reject an inheritance within six months; a failure to do so means acceptance with the benefit of inventory.
The data above comes from official Polish sources and the European e-Justice portal, last checked on the date of publication.
Common concerns
What can make Polish inheritance stressful
We help you move from uncertainty to a clear plan with a specialised lawyer.
Uncertainty after a death in Poland
You may not know whether to accept or reject an inheritance, or how the default limited-liability rule affects your position. We match you with a Polish lawyer who explains the six-month declaration window without pressure.
Cross-border estates and forced heirship
If the deceased owned assets in Poland and another country, Polish zachowek rules can conflict with foreign law. A specialised lawyer helps you identify the applicable succession law under EU Regulation 650/2012.
Notarial and Land Register formalities
Transferring real property in Poland requires a notarial deed, and ownership must be recorded in the Land and Mortgage Register. A lawyer coordinates these formalities so you do not miss any validity requirement.
Why use our matching
Four reasons to find your lawyer with us
We focus on matching you with the right Polish legal specialist.
Specialised succession knowledge
The lawyers we suggest focus on Polish inheritance matters, including intestacy, testamentary succession, zachowek, and the acceptance or rejection of an estate under the Civil Code.
Clear deadlines and limited liability
You get practical guidance on the six-month declaration and the 2015 default of acceptance with the benefit of inventory, so you know whether estate debts could affect your own assets.
Cross-border coordination
For estates involving Poland and another country, a lawyer helps you apply EU Regulation 650/2012 and explains how a choice of national law may affect forced heirship.
No-cost matching
Our service lets you compare specialised lawyers quickly, without obligation and at no cost, so you can make an informed choice about representation.
We cover Europe
Other countries we serve
Our network extends across Europe, so you can find inheritance lawyers in neighbouring jurisdictions as well.
FAQs
Inheritance lawyers in Poland — questions answered
What are inheritance lawyers in Poland called?
In Poland, there are two legal professions with equal rights of audience since 1 July 2015: adwokat and radca prawny. Both may handle inheritance matters before all Polish courts. When you request a match, we suggest either profession based on your needs.
Is there a deadline to accept or reject an inheritance in Poland?
Yes. In Poland, an heir has six months to accept or reject an inheritance. If you make no declaration, you are deemed to have accepted the inheritance with the benefit of inventory, which limits liability for estate debts to the value of the inherited estate.
Do Polish inheritance rules restrict who can inherit?
Polish law contains forced heirship, or zachowek, protecting descendants, the spouse and parents. They may claim a reserved portion worth one half or two thirds of their intestate share from the estate, even if the will says otherwise.
Can a will choose foreign law for a Polish estate?
Under EU Regulation 650/2012, a testator may choose their national law to govern succession. However, Polish forced heirship and real property formalities still need careful analysis, especially if immovable property is located in Poland.
How is real estate transferred as part of a Polish inheritance?
A contract transferring ownership of real property must be in the form of a notarial deed. The transfer is then recorded in the Land and Mortgage Register. A lawyer can coordinate the notary and registration work.
How much do inheritance lawyers in Poland charge?
Fees are freely agreed with the lawyer; there is no binding official tariff. Statutory rates exist only to calculate recoverable costs in litigation and court-appointed lawyer remuneration. Your matched lawyer will confirm fees before you instruct them.
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