Inheriting a House with Equity Release – What You Need to Know

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Receiving real estate as an inheritance is usually associated with a sense of financial security and the continuation of a family tradition. However, Polish heirs are increasingly facing unexpected situations — it turns out that the inherited house is burdened with a so-called reverse mortgage, or the deceased had entered into a life estate agreement. […]

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L. Zielonka & Partners at the Annual Conference on European Succession Law in Barcelona

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On 21-22 May 2026, a partner of L. Zielonka & Wspolnicy Kancelaria Prawna i Podatkowa sp.k. participated in the Annual Conference on European Succession Law, organised by the Academy of European Law in Barcelona and online. The conference brought together leading European experts in succession law, including academics, judges, notaries, lawyers and representatives of EU […]

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Is Future Inheritance Considered in a Divorce Settlement?

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When planning high-value estate succession in Poland, clients often raise the issue of how divorce may affect their financial situation and inheritance-related arrangements. The combination of the provisions of the Family and Guardianship Code with the Civil Code creates a legal framework that, as a rule, clearly separates marital community property from personal property, including […]

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What is an inheritance advance?

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Losing a loved one is already a difficult experience, which is often accompanied by the need to settle complex legal and financial matters. In many cases, probate proceedings may take from several months to even several years, especially when real estate, multiple heirs, or cross-border elements are involved. During this process, an important role is […]

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Popular inheritance mistakes and how to avoid them

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Inheriting assets after the death of a loved one can be a complex and emotionally demanding experience. When an international dimension is involved, the risk of making mistakes increases significantly. Some errors related to formalities occur regardless of whether the heir lives in Poland or abroad. Others are closely linked to the cross-border aspect that […]

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Polish Certificate of Inheritance – What Is It?

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The process of inheriting assets after a deceased relative becomes particularly complex when those assets are located outside the heirs’ country of residence. In the case of real estate or funds held in accounts in the Republic of Poland, foreign nationals and Polish residents living abroad often encounter formal barriers that they did not anticipate […]

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How to Disinherit Someone in a Will

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Disposition of one’s property upon death raises numerous questions among foreigners residing in Poland. Simply leaving someone out of your will does not automatically deprive that person of the right to claim a reserved share (forced heirship benefit). It becomes necessary to take decisive legal steps aimed at permanently excluding specific heirs from the division […]

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Can you inherit debt from your parents?

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The death of a loved one is a difficult time when financial matters often take a back seat. However, questions arise about whether children are responsible for their parents’ debts. In most cases, the answer is no – children do not automatically inherit debt from their parents. Outstanding liabilities are typically paid from the deceased’s […]

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Inheritance tax in Poland – everything you need to know

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The death of a loved one marks the beginning of administrative matters. Does Poland have an inheritance tax (does Poland have inheritance tax)? The country’s tax system provides for such a levy. Its amount depends on the degree of kinship. Inheritance law (inheritance tax law) clearly specifies the situations in which the acquisition of assets […]

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Who inherits if someone dies without a will?

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The death of a loved one always brings difficult moments, and the absence of a will further complicates the situation for those left behind. In such circumstances, Polish law provides specific rules that determine who inherits the estate and in what shares. It is worth understanding how inheritance without a will works in Poland (inheritance […]

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