Claim Your Polish Inheritance Rights Online — No Matter Where You Live

Claim Your Polish Inheritance Rights Online — No Matter Where You Live

Thousands of people living abroad are entitled to inherit property, money, land, or other assets in Poland without even realizing it. Many heirs discover years later that they had legal rights to family estates, apartments, bank accounts, or agricultural land left by parents, grandparents, or other relatives.

The good news? You do not need to travel to Poland to claim your inheritance rights.

You Can Handle Your Inheritance Case Remotely

Modern Polish inheritance proceedings can be conducted almost entirely online or through legal representation.

If you live in the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, or anywhere else abroad, you can authorize a Polish attorney (adwokat) to represent you before:

• Polish courts
• notaries
• land registry offices
• tax authorities
• municipal offices
• inheritance administrators

Most formalities can be completed through:

• notarized power of attorney
• apostille certification
• certified translations
• courier delivery of original documents
• remote communication by email or video call

This means you can protect your inheritance rights without leaving your country of residence.

In order to ensure that the attorney is duly authorised to provide online legal representation for a client residing abroad, it is recommended to verify the attorney’s professional status in the official Polish Bar Register maintained by the National Bar Council (Naczelna Rada Adwokacka).

The Krajowy Rejestr Adwokatów i Aplikantów Adwokackich is the official and publicly accessible database confirming whether a given person is an attorney entitled to practise law in Poland.

Attorney Dr. Joanna Susło can be verified in this register under the following official link:
https://www.rejestradwokatow.pl/adwokat/suso-joanna-82856

The register confirms not only the attorney’s identity and professional status, but also ensures that the person is authorised to provide legal services, including remote representation of clients in cross-border matters.

What Can Be Recovered?

A Polish inheritance case may involve:

• apartments and houses
• agricultural land
• commercial real estate
• bank accounts
• shares in family property
• unpaid compensation
• inheritance rights omitted in prior proceedings
• claims against unlawful transfers of inherited assets

Many clients discover that family property has been used, sold, or occupied by other relatives for years without proper legal settlement.

Common Problems Faced by Heirs Abroad

International inheritance matters often involve complex legal obstacles:

Missing information about the estate or Hidden assets

Often heirs do not know what property existed or where it is located.

Other family members in Poland may fail to disclose the full estate.

Attorney Dr. Joanna Susło is an expert in international inheritance law in Poland and cooperates with court bailiffs, county authorities (starostwa), and municipal offices in order to effectively identify and secure estate assets.

Comprehensive investigations are conducted using both public and private sources to ensure that no component of the estate is overlooked or omitted. The objective of these coordinated legal actions is to fully identify the deceased’s assets and ensure that heirs residing abroad receive their rightful share of the inheritance in accordance with applicable law.

Invalid wills

Questions may arise regarding testament validity, undue influence, lack of legal capacity, or defects in execution. Even where a will is considered valid, close family members may still be entitled to a statutory compulsory share (forced heirship / „zachowek”) under Polish inheritance law, which guarantees them a minimum financial participation in the estate regardless of the contents of the will.

Indicate that the provisions of Polish inheritance law protect heirs against exclusion from the estate, and at the same time the provisions do not exclude persons living abroad from inheritance. The provisions of inheritance law can be found here: https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU19640160093/U/D19640093Lj.pdf

Property already occupied or sold

Real estate may be used by third parties or transferred without proper settlement.

International documentation

Foreign death certificates, wills, marriages, divorces, and probate records often require legalization and formal recognition in Poland.

What Legal Action Can Be Taken?

Depending on your case, legal representation in Poland may include:

• obtaining Polish death, marriage, and civil registry records
• initiating inheritance proceedings
• confirming inheritance rights before court
• challenging wills
• division of inherited property
• recovery of possession of inherited real estate
• sale of inherited property
• negotiations with co-heirs
• representation in cross-border succession disputes

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Delay may create serious legal risks.

Over time:

• evidence becomes harder to obtain
• documents may disappear
• witnesses become unavailable
• property may deteriorate
• third parties may attempt adverse possession claims
• procedural opportunities may be lost

The earlier you act, the stronger your legal position.

Secure Your Rights Without Traveling to Poland

Distance should never prevent you from asserting your inheritance rights.

With proper legal representation, document preparation, certified translations, and remote handling of court proceedings, you can effectively pursue your Polish inheritance claim from anywhere in the world.

If you believe you may have inheritance rights in Poland, taking action now may protect assets that rightfully belong to you.

FAQ – Can Inheritance Confirmation and Estate Division Be Combined in Poland? (Inheritance Law in Poland)

Guide prepared with support of an inheritance lawyer in Poland for international heirs

1. Can inheritance confirmation and estate division be handled in one court case in Poland?

Yes. Under inheritance law in Poland, it is possible to combine inheritance confirmation and estate division in a single court proceeding in certain situations. This is often used in practice, especially when no certificate of inheritance has been issued yet.

2. What is the legal basis for combining these proceedings?

The legal basis is Article 681 of the Polish Code of Civil Procedure, which allows the court to issue a ruling on inheritance confirmation within estate division proceedings if inheritance has not been previously confirmed.

This is a commonly applied mechanism by courts dealing with inheritance cases in Poland.

3. How does the court procedure work in practice?

In practice, the court proceeds in stages:

• first, it determines who the legal heirs are (inheritance confirmation),
• then, it proceeds to divide the estate between them.

Often, inheritance confirmation is issued first as a partial decision, followed by a final ruling on estate division.

4. What did the Polish Supreme Court say about combining these claims?

The Polish Supreme Court (judgment of 24 October 1995, II CRN 133/95) confirmed that it is permissible to combine:

• inheritance confirmation,
• estate division, and
• co-ownership termination

within one non-contentious proceeding.

However, the Court emphasized that estate division can only take place after the inheritance confirmation ruling becomes final.

5. When is it NOT recommended to combine inheritance confirmation and estate division?

Although Polish law does not provide a strict list of exclusions, separation of proceedings is usually recommended when the case is complex, for example:

• when a will is being challenged,
• when foreign inheritance documents must be recognised,
• when there are multiple disputes between heirs,
• when vindicatory bequests or testament validity issues arise.

In such situations, an inheritance lawyer in Poland will often advise splitting the case into two stages.

6. What is the recommended strategy in complex inheritance disputes?

In complex cases under inheritance law in Poland, especially cross-border inheritance cases, the typical approach is:

1. First – inheritance confirmation proceedings
2. Then – separate estate division proceedings

This approach reduces procedural risks and delays.

7. Is this procedure suitable for heirs living abroad?

Yes. This mechanism is frequently used in cases involving international heirs. An inheritance lawyer in Poland can conduct the entire process on behalf of clients living abroad using:

• power of attorney,
• apostilled documents,
• certified translations,
• remote communication.

8. Why is this important in inheritance law in Poland?

Combining or separating proceedings can significantly affect:

• duration of the case,
• procedural complexity,
• ability to challenge a will,
• efficiency of estate division.

That is why legal strategy should always be assessed individually by an experienced inheritance lawyer in Poland.

FAQ – Compensation for Unauthorised Use of Inherited Property by Co-Heirs (Inheritance Law in Poland)

Prepared for international heirs and clients seeking an inheritance lawyer in Poland

1. Can a co-heir living abroad claim compensation for exclusive use of inherited property in Poland?

Yes. Under inheritance law in Poland, a co-heir (including a person living abroad) may claim compensation if another co-heir uses inherited real estate in a way that excludes them from possession or use.

This is a common issue handled by an inheritance lawyer in Poland, especially in cross-border estates where one heir resides abroad and cannot physically access the property.

Legal basis includes Articles 206, 224 §2, and 225 of the Polish Civil Code.

2. Does distance (living abroad) affect my rights as an heir?

No. Under inheritance law in Poland, heirs living abroad have exactly the same rights as those residing in Poland.

You can:

• demand keys to the inherited property remotely,
• request access and co-use of the property,
• demand rental or income-sharing arrangements,
• enforce your rights through Polish courts via a legal representative.

An inheritance lawyer in Poland can represent you fully without your physical presence.

3. What if I requested keys remotely but the other heir refused?

If a co-heir refuses to provide access (e.g., refuses to send keys or allow entry), this may be treated as unlawful exclusion from co-possession.

To succeed in a claim, you must show:

• that you requested access (emails, letters, messages), and
• that access was refused or ignored.

Such cases are commonly supported by an inheritance lawyer in Poland in court proceedings.

4. Can I force co-heirs to rent out the inherited apartment?

Yes, in practice co-heirs may:

• jointly manage the property,
• agree to rent it out and share income proportionally, or
• settle compensation for exclusive use.

If agreement is not possible, the court may resolve the dispute in inheritance division proceedings.

An inheritance law in Poland specialist can request:

• division of inheritance,
• settlement of usage,
• or compensation for exclusive occupation.

5. Can I claim rent if I am excluded from using the property?

Yes. If one co-heir uses the property alone and prevents others from using it, you may claim:

• compensation equivalent to market rent,
• reimbursement for lost benefits,
• settlement within inheritance proceedings or a separate lawsuit.

However, it must be proven that exclusion was unlawful and effective.

6. Is refusal to send keys enough to win the case?

Not automatically. Polish courts assess:

• whether exclusion was real and intentional,
• whether the co-heir requested access,
• whether the claimant would realistically have used the property.

Even if keys were refused, compensation is not granted if there is no actual deprivation of use.

7. What if I want to jointly rent the inherited property from abroad?

A co-heir living abroad can request:

• joint rental of the inherited apartment,
• distribution of rental income proportionally,
• professional management of the property.

If cooperation is refused, an inheritance lawyer in Poland can initiate court proceedings to regulate use or division.

8. What is the legal basis under inheritance law in Poland?

Claims are based on:

• Article 206 Polish Civil Code – co-ownership and joint possession rights
• Articles 224 §2 and 225 – compensation for use without legal title
• Rules of inheritance division under inheritance law in Poland

9. Can I enforce my rights without travelling to Poland?

Yes. International heirs can fully enforce rights remotely with:

• power of attorney (notarised abroad),
• apostille,
• certified translations,
• representation by an inheritance lawyer in Poland.

All court actions, including inheritance division and claims for compensation, can be conducted without physical presence.

FAQ – How to Find Inherited Bank Accounts and Hidden Savings in Poland (Inheritance Lawyer in Poland Guide)

Guide for heirs dealing with inheritance law in Poland and cross-border estates

1. I inherited an estate in Poland but I don’t know in which banks the deceased held money – what should I do?

If you know that the deceased had savings but you do not know the number of accounts or banks, this is a very common issue in inheritance law in Poland.

In the past, heirs had to manually visit banks one by one, which was time-consuming and often ineffective. Today, there is a centralized system that significantly simplifies this process.

An inheritance lawyer in Poland can assist in initiating the official search procedure.

2. What is the Central Information on Bank Accounts in Poland?

Since 1 July 2016, Poland operates the Central Information on Dormant Accounts system, managed by the National Clearing House (Krajowa Izba Rozliczeniowa).

This system allows heirs to obtain information about bank accounts of a deceased person through a single application submitted to any bank.

This is a key tool used in modern inheritance law in Poland to locate inherited assets.

3. How do I request information about bank accounts of a deceased person?

To obtain information, you must submit an application to any Polish bank together with documents proving your legal title to the inheritance, such as:

• a final court decision confirming inheritance acquisition, or
• a notarised certificate of inheritance.

After submission:

• the bank sends a request to the Central Information system,
• the system forwards it to all banks and SKOK credit unions,
• institutions must respond within 3 working days.

An inheritance lawyer in Poland can prepare and submit this request on your behalf.

4. What information is included in the bank account report?

The report from the Central Information system may include:

• bank or financial institution name,
• account number,
• confirmation whether the account is active,
• indication of joint accounts,
• information about closed or expired accounts.

This makes it significantly easier to identify hidden or forgotten savings in inheritance cases under inheritance law in Poland.

5. Can I see the account balance in the report?

No. The report does not include detailed financial data such as balances.

To obtain full account details, including balances, you must contact the specific bank or financial institution directly where the account is held.

This limitation is important in practical inheritance proceedings in Poland.

6. How much does the bank account information report cost?

The fee for issuing a report varies depending on the bank, typically ranging from a few to several dozen PLN.

This is a standard administrative cost within inheritance law in Poland procedures.

7. Does the system include all financial products?

No. The Central Information system does NOT include:

• investment funds,
• brokerage accounts,
• insurance policies,
• investment-linked products.

These must be searched individually by contacting each institution separately. An inheritance lawyer in Poland often assists in coordinating these parallel searches.

8. How can I find information about loans and debts of the deceased?

Information about loans or outstanding credit obligations is not included in the bank account register.

Such data must be obtained from the Credit Information Bureau (BIK).

However, BIK provides information only upon request by a court conducting inheritance proceedings, which is a standard procedure under inheritance law in Poland.

9. Why is professional legal assistance important in locating inheritance assets?

Searching for hidden bank accounts and financial assets can be complex, especially in cross-border estates.

An experienced inheritance lawyer in Poland can:

• identify all possible financial institutions,
• obtain court orders where required,
• coordinate bank, registry, and credit searches,
• ensure no inheritance assets are omitted.

This is crucial in modern inheritance law in Poland, where estates often include multiple financial products spread across different institutions.

10. Can heirs living abroad use this system?

Yes. Heirs living abroad can fully participate in the process through:

• power of attorney,
• apostilled documents,
• certified translations,
• representation by an inheritance lawyer in Poland.

No physical presence in Poland is required to locate inheritance assets.

Need Legal Assistance?

Navigating the sale of inherited property in Poland can be complex, especially for foreign heirs. For personalized guidance:

InheritSafe Poland
Dr. Joanna Susło, Ph.D., Attorney-at-Law
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile / WhatsApp: +48 668 841 990