Knowledge base (English)
Polish Inheritance Law — Succession, Reserved Share, Wills
Practical guides for Poland-related matters when you live in the UK — handled remotely by regulated Polish lawyers. Read the Polish original at the Polish version.
Cross-border succession (8)
Grant of Probate Explained: What It Means for an Inheritance in Poland
What a Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration are, when you need one in the UK, and why they usually don't settle an inheritance in Poland.
Inheritance Tax in Poland and the UK: How to Avoid Being Taxed Twice
Inheriting in Poland and the UK could mean two tax bills. Is there a PL-UK treaty on inheritance tax? Rates, examples and how to reduce the exposure.
Inheriting Property in Poland While Living in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide
Family in Poland has passed away and you're in the UK? Here's how to inherit and settle the estate remotely — power of attorney, deadlines, forms.
Inheriting Property in Poland as a British Citizen: Step-by-Step Guide
British citizen inheriting a Polish estate? Step-by-step guide to documents, deadlines, permits and costs for UK heirs inheriting in Poland.
Inheriting Property in Poland as a Foreigner: Step-by-Step Guide
Inheriting a house in Poland as a foreign national? Do you need Ministry permission? What's the process, timeline and tax? A practical step-by-step guide.
Inheriting from a Polish Parent Who Lived in the UK: What You Need to Know
Your Polish parent lived in the UK and left assets in both countries? Here's which law applies, what changed after Brexit, and what to do first.
Inheriting in Poland While Living in Germany: A Step-by-Step Guide
Inherited property in Poland while based in Germany? Power of attorney, the 6-month deadline, APD and SD-Z2 tax — how to sort it out remotely.
Polish Inheritance vs English Law — Which One Applies?
Cross-border Polish-UK inheritance: which law applies to property, bank accounts and wills? Lex situs, forced heirship, succession rules explained.
Division of the estate (9)
An Heir Living in an Inherited Polish Property Without the Other Heirs' Consent
One heir living in an inherited Polish property and blocking the others? Learn how to claim compensation and access to shared possession under Polish law.
Court-Ordered Division of a Polish Estate: When and How to File
Court division of a Polish estate: procedure, jurisdiction, fees and timescales. How to file when heirs can't agree. A guide for people based abroad.
Debts Attached to an Inherited Property in Poland
Inherited Polish property with debts attached? Learn how mortgages, arrears and Polish inheritance law affect your liability as an heir.
Debts and Maintenance in a Polish Estate Division — What You Need to Know
The deceased's debts reduce the estate — maintenance payments don't. How debts, mortgages and arrears are settled in a Polish estate division.
Dividing a Polish Estate: How It Works Between Heirs
Dividing a Polish estate splits assets between heirs. Learn the two routes — agreement vs court — and the formal requirements, especially for property.
Dividing a Polish Inheritance by Agreement: Do You Need a Notary?
Dividing a Polish estate by agreement: when a private written agreement is enough, and when a notarial deed is compulsory for property and other assets.
How to Identify All the Heirs Before Dividing a Polish Estate
How to identify all heirs before dividing a Polish estate when family is scattered abroad. Notary vs court, statutory inheritance, step by step.
Inherited Property in Poland With No Land Register Entry: What to Do
Inherited a Polish property with no land register (KW)? Learn how to open a KW, register the heirs, and deal with adverse possession issues.
Inheriting Property in Poland: How Is It Divided Between Heirs?
Three ways to divide inherited Polish property: physical split, buy-out by one heir, or sale and split. Tax rules and procedure explained.
Inheritance basics (8)
Accepting a Polish Inheritance: Outright, With an Inventory, or Rejecting It?
Accepting a Polish inheritance: your three options under Art. 1012 KC, debt liability, the inventory process, and the 2015 default-rule change.
Debts in a Polish Inheritance: What to Do When the Estate Is in the Red
Debts in a Polish inheritance: mortgages, loans, tax arrears, unpaid maintenance. What counts, what doesn't, and how to protect yourself.
How to Get a Polish Certificate of Inheritance (Postanowienie o Nabyciu Spadku)
How to get a Polish certificate of inheritance: court order vs notarial deed (NAPD), required documents, court fee, and applying remotely from the UK.
Inheriting Polish Debt: Should You Accept an Estate With an Unpaid Loan?
Inherited a Polish consumer loan that might qualify for a free-credit sanction? Check before you reject the estate — the deadline is short.
Polish Statutory Inheritance: Who Inherits What When There's No Will
Polish statutory inheritance explained: the four heir groups, shares for spouse, children, parents and siblings, under Articles 931-934 of the Civil Code.
Renouncing a Polish Inheritance: How and When to Do It
How to renounce a Polish inheritance: who can, when, and where to file. The 6-month deadline under Article 1015 of the Civil Code, explained simply.
Unworthiness to Inherit Under Polish Law: When Can an Heir Be Excluded?
Unworthiness to inherit under Polish law (Art. 928 KC): grounds, court procedure, the 1-year deadline, and the effect of exclusion. UK guide.
What Forms Part of a Polish Estate? Assets and Debts After Death
What counts as the Polish estate (masa spadkowa): property, bank accounts, shares, debts. What's excluded, plus UK assets after Brexit.
Reserved share (zachowek) (7)
Claiming Your Reserved Share (Zachowek) in Poland: Settlement or Court Claim?
Reserved share (zachowek) in Poland: settle out of court or file a claim. Timelines, costs, and how to run the case from the UK.
How Much Is the Polish Reserved Share (Zachowek) and How Is It Calculated?
Zachowek formula: estate base × heir's share × rate (1/2 or 2/3). Learn which gifts count, how property is valued, and how debts reduce the payout.
Reserved Share (Zachowek) Time Limit in Poland: How Long Do You Have?
A Polish zachowek claim expires 5 years after the will is announced. Learn how the deadline is counted and what happens if you wait too long.
Reserved Share (Zachowek) for a Minor Child in Poland — When Do You Need Family Court Consent?
A minor's zachowek claim in Poland gets a higher 2/3 rate, but any settlement or waiver needs family court consent. Here's how to handle it from the UK.
Reserved Share (Zachowek) in Poland: What It Is and Who Can Claim It
Zachowek is a Polish inheritance right for close family left out of a will. Find out who can claim it, how much it's worth, and how to claim from the UK.
Reserved Share (Zachowek): Who Do You Claim It From If There's a Will?
Claim your Polish reserved share (zachowek) from the will-appointed heir first. Learn the order of liability, including legatees and gift recipients.
Reserved Share and Lifetime Gifts: How Polish Inheritance Law Treats Prior Gifts
Lifetime gifts are added back into the estate when calculating Poland's reserved share (zachowek). See which gifts count and which don't.
Wills (6)
Challenging a Polish Will: When It's Possible and How to Do It
Challenging a Polish will: grounds under Article 945 KC, forgery, undue influence, lack of capacity, and the 3-year time limit. Guide for Poles in the UK.
How to Write a Valid Will in Poland: Formal Requirements and Common Mistakes
Valid Polish wills explained — formal requirements under Article 949 of the Civil Code, how to write a holographic will, and mistakes that invalidate it.
Is a Foreign Will Valid in Poland? UK Wills After Brexit
Is a UK will valid for Polish assets? EU 650/2012 no longer applies to the UK. The 1961 Hague Convention explained. Guide for Poles living in the UK.
Notarial vs Handwritten Wills in Poland: Which Should You Choose?
Notarial vs handwritten will in Poland: differences, costs and the NORT register. A practical guide for Poles living in the UK deciding which will to make.
Ordinary Legacy vs Vindication Legacy in a Polish Will: What's the Difference
Ordinary legacy vs vindication legacy under Polish law (Art. 968 & 981.1 KC). Which one for a flat, a car, or a debt claim in a Polish will.
Revoking a Polish Will: Your Three Legal Options Explained
How to revoke a Polish will - three legal methods under Article 946 KC. Which will is valid when you have several. A guide for Poles living in the UK.
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