How to Accept an Inheritance in Ukraine

Sooner or later, almost everyone faces the legal process of administering an inheritance. At first glance, the procedure appears straightforward: file an application to accept the inheritance, wait six months, and obtain a Certificate of Inheritance. In practice, however, many people have questions about how to inherit property in Ukraine, which documents are required, what deadlines apply, and how the inheritance process is handled by a notary.

The procedure for accepting an inheritance in Ukraine is governed by clear legal rules, and complying with each stage of the process helps prevent future disputes over inherited property. This article explains how to inherit property in Ukraine, the differences between inheritance under a will and intestate succession, as well as situations where it is necessary to restore the inheritance acceptance period or resolve inheritance matters through the courts.

There are two legal ways to inherit property in Ukraine:

• inheritance under a will;
• intestate succession (inheritance by law).

If the deceased left a valid will, the estate is inherited by the beneficiaries named in that document. However, Ukrainian law also protects certain individuals who are entitled to a mandatory share of the estate regardless of the contents of the will. These include minor children, adult children who are unable to work, the surviving spouse who is unable to work, and dependent parents of the deceased.

If no will exists, the estate passes to heirs according to the statutory order of succession established by the Civil Code of Ukraine. Heirs are divided into successive classes, with each class inheriting only if there are no eligible heirs in the preceding class. The statutory order of succession is as follows:

• First priority – children, the surviving spouse, and the deceased's parents;
• Second priority – full siblings, grandparents;
• Third priority – uncles and aunts;
• Fourth priority – persons who lived with the deceased as one household for at least five years before death;
• Fifth priority – other relatives up to the sixth degree of kinship.

Where Should an Application for Acceptance of Inheritance Be Filed?

An inheritance case may be opened by either a private or a state notary. However, not every notary has jurisdiction over every inheritance matter. The competent notary is determined by the deceased's last place of residence. For example, if the deceased's last registered residence was in Kyiv, the inheritance case must generally be opened by a notary practicing in Kyiv.

The notary accepts the application for acceptance of the inheritance, verifies the submitted documents, opens the inheritance file, and provides a list of additional documents required to complete the inheritance process.

Documents Required for Inheritance

1. Passport or other identification document and tax identification number;
2. Death certificate of the deceased;
3. Documents confirming the family relationship with the deceased (birth certificate, extracts from civil status registers, etc.);
4. Marriage certificate (if the applicant changed their surname during their lifetime);
5. Documents confirming the deceased's ownership of movable or immovable property.

Inheritance Acceptance Deadline

Under Ukrainian law, an heir generally has six months from the date of the deceased's death to accept the inheritance. If this statutory deadline is missed for valid reasons, it may be restored either by the written consent of all other heirs or by a court decision.

Court proceedings may also become necessary when disputes arise between heirs or when certain legal facts must be established before the inheritance can be completed.

Once the six-month period has expired, the notary issues a Certificate of Inheritance. This document officially confirms the heir's ownership rights to the inherited property, including apartments, houses, land, and other assets belonging to the deceased.

The lawyers of the Inheritance Center provide comprehensive legal assistance throughout the inheritance process in Ukraine. Even if you live abroad, we can manage your inheritance matter remotely. We will determine which documents are required, identify potential legal issues before they arise, and, where necessary, represent your interests before the notary during the issuance of the Certificate of Inheritance.