Planning for the future is one of the most significant steps you can take to secure your legacy and provide for your loved ones. At our law firm, we understand the sensitive and often complex nature of wills, succession, and estate planning. We offer compassionate, personalized, and expert legal services to ensure that your wishes are clearly documented, your assets are protected, and the transition of your estate is as smooth and efficient as possible for your heirs.

Cyprus succession law can be intricate, particularly for individuals with international assets or diverse family structures. Our expertise ensures that your will is legally sound, tax-efficient, and aligns precisely with your intentions, both within Cyprus and across borders.

We provide comprehensive advice and assistance across all aspects of wills and succession, including:

• Drafting and Review of Wills:
  • Tailored Wills: We meticulously draft wills that accurately reflect your specific desires regarding the distribution of your assets, appointment of guardians for minor children, and designation of executors. We consider all types of assets, both movable and immovable, located in Cyprus and internationally.
  • International Wills: For individuals with assets in multiple jurisdictions, we advise on the complexities of international succession law, helping to ensure that your will is recognized and effective worldwide, potentially minimizing conflicts of laws.
  • Review and Updating: We review existing wills to ensure they remain current with your personal circumstances, asset portfolio, and changes in the law. A regular review is crucial, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of children, or acquisition of new assets.
• Estate Planning and Administration:
  • Strategic Estate Planning: We offer holistic estate planning advice aimed at preserving your wealth, minimizing inheritance tax liabilities (where applicable), and avoiding potential disputes among beneficiaries. This can include advice on trusts, gifts, and other wealth transfer mechanisms.
  • Probate and Administration of Estates: When a loved one passes away, we guide executors and administrators through the entire probate process in Cyprus. This includes:
    • Obtaining grants of probate or letters of administration from the Cypriot courts.
    • Identifying and valuing estate assets and liabilities.
    • Settling debts and taxes owed by the estate.
    • Distributing assets to beneficiaries in accordance with the will or the laws of intestacy.
    • Handling any challenges to the will or estate administration.
• Intestacy Rules and Administration (No Will):
  • Where a person dies without a valid will (intestate), their estate is distributed according to the Cyprus Intestacy Law. We provide clear guidance on these statutory rules and assist eligible heirs in applying for letters of administration to manage and distribute the estate.
• Challenging Wills and Inheritance Disputes:
  • In unfortunate circumstances, disputes may arise concerning the validity of a will or the distribution of an estate. We represent clients in challenging wills (e.g., on grounds of undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, or improper execution) and in other inheritance disputes, aiming for resolutions that protect our clients’ rightful entitlements, whether through negotiation, mediation, or court litigation.
• Testamentary Trusts:
  • We advise on the creation of testamentary trusts within a will, which can be valuable tools for providing for beneficiaries who are minors, have special needs, or for specific philanthropic purposes, offering greater control and flexibility over asset distribution.

• Expertise in Cypriot and International Succession Law: We possess in-depth knowledge of the Cypriot legal framework for wills and succession, including its interface with international private law, which is crucial for non-Cypriot residents or those with cross-border assets.
• Personalized Approach: We understand that every individual’s situation is unique. We provide tailored advice and solutions that are sensitive to your family dynamics and personal preferences.
• Compassionate Guidance: We handle all matters with empathy and discretion, recognizing the emotional sensitivities involved in estate planning and bereavement.
• Clarity and Transparency: We explain complex legal concepts in plain language, ensuring you fully understand your options and the implications of your decisions.
• Proactive Planning: We help you anticipate potential challenges and structure your affairs to minimize future complexities and disputes.

Ensuring your legacy is handled with care and precision is our priority. Contact us to discuss how we can help you create a robust succession plan that provides peace of mind for you and security for your loved ones.

Planning for the future is one of the most significant steps you can take to secure your legacy and provide for your loved ones. At our law firm, we understand the sensitive and often complex nature of wills, succession, and estate planning. We offer compassionate, personalized, and expert legal services to ensure that your wishes are clearly documented, your assets are protected, and the transition of your estate is as smooth and efficient as possible for your heirs.

Cyprus succession law can be intricate, particularly for individuals with international assets or diverse family structures. Our expertise ensures that your will is legally sound, tax-efficient, and aligns precisely with your intentions, both within Cyprus and across borders.

Cyprus succession law is primarily governed by the Wills and Succession Law, Cap. 195, and the Administration of Estates Law, Cap. 189. A key feature of Cyprus law is the concept of “forced heirship” for individuals domiciled in Cyprus, which means a certain portion of your estate is statutorily reserved for immediate family members (spouse, children, parents). The remaining “disposable portion” can be freely bequeathed.

For non-domiciled individuals owning immovable property in Cyprus, Cyprus succession law applies to that immovable property. However, thanks to the EU Succession Regulation (EU Regulation No. 650/2012, or “Brussels IV”), non-Cypriot nationals can elect the law of their nationality to govern their entire estate, regardless of where their assets are located within EU member states (excluding the UK, Ireland, and Denmark). This is a crucial aspect for non-residents and allows them to potentially avoid forced heirship rules if their national law does not have such provisions, provided this choice is clearly stated in their will.

Furthermore, Cyprus abolished inheritance tax in 2000, making it an attractive jurisdiction for estate planning and wealth transfer. While no inheritance tax is levied, beneficiaries may still be subject to transfer fees, particularly for immovable property.

We provide comprehensive advice and assistance across all aspects of wills and succession, including:

• Drafting and Review of Wills:
  • Tailored Wills: We meticulously draft wills that accurately reflect your specific desires regarding the distribution of your assets, appointment of guardians for minor children, and designation of executors. We consider all types of assets, both movable and immovable, located in Cyprus and internationally.
  • International Wills and EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV): For individuals with assets in multiple jurisdictions, or those who are not domiciled in Cyprus but own property here, we provide critical advice on the complexities of international succession law. We help you strategically utilize the EU Succession Regulation to elect the law of your nationality to govern your estate, if desired, ensuring your will is recognized and effective worldwide and potentially minimizing conflicts of laws and forced heirship rules.
  • Review and Updating: We review existing wills to ensure they remain current with your personal circumstances, asset portfolio, and changes in the law. A regular review is crucial, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of children, or acquisition of new assets.
• Estate Planning and Administration:
  • Strategic Estate Planning: We offer holistic estate planning advice aimed at preserving your wealth, minimizing potential tax liabilities in other jurisdictions (as Cyprus has no inheritance tax), and avoiding potential disputes among beneficiaries. This can include advice on the strategic use of trusts (such as Cyprus International Trusts), gifts, and other wealth transfer mechanisms.
  • Probate and Administration of Estates: When a loved one passes away, we guide executors and administrators through the entire probate process in Cyprus. This includes:
    • Obtaining grants of probate (if there is a will) or letters of administration (if there is no will) from the Cypriot courts.
    • Identifying and valuing estate assets and liabilities.
    • Settling debts and taxes owed by the estate.
    • Distributing assets to beneficiaries in accordance with the will or the laws of intestacy.
    • Handling any challenges to the will or estate administration.
  • Foreign Grants Resealing: We can assist with the resealing of grants of probate or administration issued in other Commonwealth countries, simplifying the process of administering assets located in Cyprus.
• Intestacy Rules and Administration (No Will):
  • Where a person dies without a valid will (intestate), their estate is distributed according to the Cyprus Intestacy Law. We provide clear guidance on these statutory rules and assist eligible heirs in applying for letters of administration to manage and distribute the estate.
• Challenging Wills and Inheritance Disputes:
  • In unfortunate circumstances, disputes may arise concerning the validity of a will or the distribution of an estate. We represent clients in challenging wills (e.g., on grounds of undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, or improper execution) and in other inheritance disputes, aiming for resolutions that protect our clients’ rightful entitlements, whether through negotiation, mediation, or court litigation.
• Testamentary Trusts:
  • We advise on the creation of testamentary trusts within a will, which can be valuable tools for providing for beneficiaries who are minors, have special needs, or for specific philanthropic purposes, offering greater control and flexibility over asset distribution.

• Expertise in Cypriot and International Succession Law: We possess in-depth knowledge of the Cypriot legal framework for wills and succession, including its crucial interface with EU law and international private law, which is vital for non-Cypriot residents or those with cross-border assets.
• Personalized Approach: We understand that every individual’s situation is unique. We provide tailored advice and solutions that are sensitive to your family dynamics and personal preferences.
• Compassionate Guidance: We handle all matters with empathy and discretion, recognizing the emotional sensitivities involved in estate planning and bereavement.
• Clarity and Transparency: We explain complex legal concepts in plain language, ensuring you fully understand your options and the implications of your decisions.
• Proactive Planning: We help you anticipate potential challenges and structure your affairs to minimize future complexities and disputes.

Ensuring your legacy is handled with care and precision is our priority. Contact us to discuss how we can help you create a robust succession plan that provides peace of mind for you and security for your loved ones.