Real Estate Law · Inheritance of Property
Inheriting Property Comes with Liabilities You Don’t See
An inherited house, flat or plot rarely transfers cleanly on its own. The title may carry charges, the estate may owe transfer tax, and a mortgage or community debts may attach to the asset. We match you with a property lawyer who transfers the property correctly, so what you inherit is genuinely yours.
- Lawyers who specialise in inherited property
- Title transfer, registration and tax handled together
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Inheriting a house, a flat or land across borders
Property is often the largest single asset in an estate, and it is the part of an inheritance most likely to go wrong. The deceased may have owned in more than one country, the property may carry a mortgage or other registered charges, and each jurisdiction applies its own rules to how title passes to the heirs. Before anything is sold, kept or refinanced, the property has to be formally transferred into the heirs’ names. We connect you with a property lawyer who confirms exactly what is attached to the property and completes the transfer and registration so the asset passes to you free of surprises.
What goes wrong
Inherited property hides problems until it is too late
Heirs often discover the real state of a property only after the transfer is already underway.
Charges and debts on the title
A mortgage, a maintenance charge or a court-imposed charge may already be registered against the property. You can inherit the asset and the liability together if no one checks the land registry before the transfer.
Transfer tax is paid late or twice
Inheriting property is not always tax-free. Heirs who miss the filing window, or who pay in the wrong country first, face surcharges and interest on top of the transfer tax itself.
Cross-border title disputes
When the deceased owned abroad, two legal systems may claim the property. The heirs can spend years establishing who is entitled to what unless the succession and the property transfer are handled together.
What a property lawyer handles
The transfer done correctly, the whole way through
One lawyer covers the property side of the inheritance from the registry to the final registration.
Land registry due diligence
A full check of what is registered against the property — mortgages, charges, servitudes — so you know exactly what you are taking on before you accept it.
Succession and title transfer
The paperwork that moves the property from the deceased’s name into the heirs’ names, in the right order and in the right jurisdiction.
Transfer tax and filing
The inheritance and transfer taxes calculated and filed correctly and on time, avoiding late surcharges and double payment across borders.
Registration and clear title
The transfer registered with the land registry so the property is genuinely, legally yours — ready to keep, sell or refinance.
Where we match
Property lawyers across Europe
Inherited property is handled under the law of the country where the property sits, wherever the heirs live. We match you with a local property lawyer who knows the registry and tax rules of that country.
Common questions
Inheriting property — what people ask
Do I have to accept an inherited property?
No. In most countries you can accept an inheritance with or without the benefit of inventory, or renounce it. Because a property can carry debts, it is usually wise to review the registry before deciding, and a lawyer can advise on the safest way to accept.
Who pays the mortgage on an inherited property?
The debt usually follows the asset, so whoever inherits the property typically steps into the mortgage. A lawyer can confirm whether the lender must consent to the transfer and whether the mortgage can be renegotiated or discharged.
Is inherited property taxed?
It often is, though the rates and allowances vary widely by country and by your relationship to the deceased. Your lawyer will calculate what is due where the property sits and file it correctly to avoid surcharges.
What if the property is in another country?
The property is governed by the law of the country where it is located, while the succession may follow a different law. A cross-border property lawyer coordinates both so the transfer is recognised in each jurisdiction.
How long does the transfer take?
It depends on the country and on the state of the estate, but straightforward transfers typically take weeks to a few months once the inheritance tax position is settled. Your lawyer will give you a realistic timeline for your case.
Can I sell the property before the transfer is complete?
Not normally. You usually need clear title in your name before a sale can complete. Your lawyer can advise whether an expedited sale or an alternative structure is possible in your situation.
Get started
Transfer your inherited property the right way
Tell us where the property is and what you are inheriting, and we will match you with a property lawyer who handles the transfer, the registry and the tax — with no fee to get matched and no obligation.