Independent from your country of origin, once you own a property in Italy, it will automatically be subject to Italian succession (inheritance) law.

It is highly advisable to draft an Italian will assisted by your Italian lawyer in order to limit the possible undesirable consequences of the Italian “legal succession” laws.

The law of legal succession applies where the deceased has not left a will therefore dying intestate. In such cases Italian law determines which relative of the deceased has the right of succession (primarily the spouse, the legitimate and natural children and descendants).

Without a will, in the case of a lack of heirs, according to Italian law, the hereditary assets present in Italy would be assigned to the Italian State.

We can help you draft a Will in two languages (Italian/English) that will meet all of the criteria as required under Italian law, limiting the effects of the Italian legal succession therefore ensuring that your Italian property will be inherited only by those persons that you wish. We will give you assistance with Italian inheritance law.

If you are the heir of an estate, we can assist you during the publication of the Will, the probate and the payment of any inheritance tax that may be applicable. We can also assist with the formal acceptance of the inheritance.

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