Succession in Poland

21/05/2026

Today, our Managing Partner, Katarzyna Lewicka-Krzysztowczyk, is representing our law firm at the Annual Conference on European Succession Law organized by the Academy of European Law (ERA).

💡 Why this matters?
Cross-border inheritance and succession planning can be a legal maze. This prestigious event focuses on the latest developments, practical challenges, and landmark rulings in European succession law. By staying at the absolute forefront of these changes, we ensure our clients receive the most up-to-date, strategic advice for their international estate matters.

🤝 Connecting Europe, Serving You
Beyond the insights, this conference is a powerhouse for international networking. Katarzyna is connecting face-to-face with top legal experts from all over Europe.

The direct benefit for our clients?
When a case spans multiple countries, we don't just know the law—we have a trusted network of local legal partners across Europe ready to act. This means faster resolutions, seamless cooperation, and maximum security for your cross-border legal matters.

Stay tuned for more insights straight from Trier! 💼✨

19/05/2026

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💼 Is Future Inheritance Safe During a Divorce in Poland? 🤔

When planning high-value estate succession, one crucial question often arises: What happens to my family wealth if my marriage ends in divorce?

Many clients assume that inheritance is completely untouchable. While Polish law generally classifies inherited assets as personal property, the reality in cross-border and high-net-worth cases can be much more complex.

Here are the key risks you need to watch out for:
🔹 Mixing of Assets: If joint marital funds are used to renovate an inherited property, financial claims for reimbursement may arise during asset division.
🔹 The Dividend Trap: While inherited company shares remain your personal property, the dividends generated during the marriage generally enter the joint marital estate!
🔹 Cross-Border Complexities: For international couples, EU regulations can shift which country’s law applies to your inheritance and divorce.

Fortunately, with strategic marital agreements, precise wills, or family foundations, you can fully secure your family's legacy.

👇 Read our latest article to find out how to strategically protect your assets:
🔗 https://successioninpoland.com/is-future-inheritance-considered-in-a-divorce-settlement/

💬 Need personalized legal support regarding succession planning or asset protection in Poland?
Our team of experts is here to guide you through the complexities of Polish and international law.

💻 Book an online consultation today!
📬 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone / WhatsApp: +48 502 775 164

12/05/2026

🇵🇱🇺🇸 Another complex international inheritance case handled by Kancelaria Prawna Zielonka i Wspólnicy ⚖️

Recently, our law firm was approached by a client from the United States seeking a legal analysis of his inheritance situation after the death of his biological father.

The case involved highly sensitive and legally complex issues related to adoption 👨‍👦 and cross-border inheritance law 🌍. One of the key questions was whether the adoption carried out years earlier still excluded our client from inheriting from his biological father.

The matter required detailed analysis of both 🇵🇱 Polish law and 🇺🇸 American law, including conflict-of-law regulations and the legal effects of adoption in different jurisdictions.

After a thorough legal review, the client received a clear legal opinion and guidance regarding the next stages of the proceedings ✅

International inheritance matters often involve multiple legal systems, complicated family histories, and difficult procedural questions — this is exactly where experienced legal assistance becomes crucial.

If you are facing a similar situation involving:
✔️ inheritance in Poland
✔️ international family matters
✔️ adoption and inheritance rights
✔️ U.S.–Polish succession issues
✔️ cross-border probate proceedings

📩 Contact us today.

You can book a free consultation directly through our website:
https://successioninpoland.com/book-your-consultation-now/

⚖️🌍

29/04/2026

🇵🇱 Polish Certificate of Inheritance – why do you actually need it?

Have you inherited property, money, or assets in Poland while living abroad? 🌍
Many people are surprised to discover that foreign probate documents are often not enough to deal with Polish banks or real estate.

💡 In Poland, institutions usually require a local document confirming inheritance rights – either:
✔️ a notarial certificate of inheritance (fast and efficient), or
✔️ a court decision confirming acquisition of inheritance (longer, but sometimes necessary)

⚠️ Without this document:
❌ you won’t access bank funds
❌ you won’t update land registry records
❌ you won’t sell or manage property

👉 The good news? In many cases, the notarial route allows you to complete everything even in one meeting – provided all heirs agree and documents are properly prepared.

In our latest article, we explain:
📌 what a Polish certificate of inheritance really is
📌 when you should choose a notary vs. court
📌 what documents you need
📌 how to handle real estate in Poland
📌 how to avoid delays and costly mistakes

💬 We regularly assist international clients from 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 🇦🇺 and many other countries in handling inheritance matters in Poland – fully remotely.

👉 Read the full guide here:
https://successioninpoland.com/polish-certificate-of-inheritance-what-is-it/

20/04/2026

Can you really disinherit someone in Poland? 🤔

Many people believe that simply leaving someone out of a will is enough. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

Under Polish law, close family members may still claim a reserved share (zachowek) — even if they are not included in the will. To fully exclude someone from inheritance, you must meet strict legal requirements and clearly justify your decision.

Disinheritance is only effective in specific situations, such as:
✔️ serious and long-term family conflicts
✔️ persistent failure to fulfill family duties
✔️ intentional wrongdoing against the testator

Even small mistakes in a will can lead to court disputes and invalidate your intentions.

📌 This becomes even more complex in international cases, especially if assets are located in different countries.

If you want to protect your estate and ensure your wishes are respected, proper legal planning is essential.

👉 Read the full article here:
https://successioninpoland.com/can-you-inherit-debt-from-your-parents/

If you have questions about inheritance in Poland, feel free to reach out — we assist clients worldwide.

13/04/2026

💼 Can you inherit your parents’ debts?

Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with legal and financial matters during such a time can feel overwhelming. One of the most common concerns people have is whether they may become responsible for their parents’ debts after their passing.

In most cases, the answer is reassuring — children do not automatically inherit their parents’ debts. Under Polish law, any outstanding liabilities are first settled from the estate left by the deceased. This means that assets such as property, savings, or other valuables are used to repay creditors. If the estate is not sufficient to cover all debts, the remaining obligations generally expire, and family members are not required to pay them from their own funds.

However, there are situations where responsibility may arise. This can happen, for example, if a child was a co-borrower or guarantor on a loan, or if they decide to keep an inherited property that is subject to a mortgage. In such cases, the obligation is linked either to the contract signed during the parent’s lifetime or to the decision to retain a specific asset.

It is also important to be aware that debt collection agencies cannot pursue family members who are not legally responsible, and any claims should always be carefully verified before taking action. In practice, concerns about “inheriting debt” are often more about understanding the legal framework and making informed decisions rather than actual financial risk.

If you would like to learn more about this topic, we invite you to read the full article on our website:
👉 https://successioninpoland.com/can-you-inherit-debt-from-your-parents/

💬 If you need assistance with inheritance matters in Poland, especially in cross-border cases, feel free to contact us — we provide full legal support in English.

📩 [email protected]

📞 +48 502 775 164

03/04/2026

30/03/2026

📢 New article on successionpoland.com!

❓ Who inherits if someone dies without a will in Poland?

Losing a loved one is already difficult… and when there is no will, legal questions can quickly become overwhelming. ⚖️

In our latest article, we explain in a clear and practical way:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who inherits first under Polish law
📊 How the estate is divided between spouse, children, and other relatives
🏠 What happens to property and bank accounts
⚠️ What about debts and liability of heirs
🏛️ How probate works – notary vs court
🚫 What happens if there are no heirs at all

💡 The key takeaway?
Even without a will, Polish law provides a structured system that determines inheritance and protects family members – but understanding the rules is crucial to avoid disputes and mistakes.

👉 If you or your clients deal with cross-border inheritance matters, this is a must-read.

📖 Read the full article here:
https://successioninpoland.com/who-inherits-if-someone-dies-without-a-will/

💬 Need legal support in Poland? We assist international clients remotely in inheritance and succession cases.

⚖️

26/03/2026

🔍⚖️ Complex International Case in Progress ⚖️🔍
At L. Zielonka i Wspólnicy, we are currently handling a highly complex, multi-layered case involving both marital property disputes and inheritance proceedings 🌍📑
What makes this case particularly interesting is that it combines elements of property law, family law, and inheritance law — all within an international context ⚖️🏠📜
Our client’s former spouse, a 🇺🇸 US citizen, significantly diminished their joint marital assets by transferring them—without legal grounds—to members of her family 💸👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
The client initially sought justice in the United States. However, once it became clear that the court there lacked jurisdiction over real estate located abroad, he turned to our law firm for comprehensive legal support 🇵🇱🏛️
To effectively pursue his claims, it became necessary not only to address the marital property issues, but also to initiate inheritance proceedings following the death of one of the former spouse’s family members ⚖️📜
✅ At this stage, we have successfully secured part of the real estate by obtaining a court-ordered prohibition on its disposal 🛑🏠
We continue to take further legal steps to protect our client’s interests and recover what is rightfully his 💼💪
Stay tuned — this is a case where strategy, persistence, and international legal expertise truly matter 🌐⚖️

22/03/2026

🌍 Another fascinating inheritance case in progress! ⚖️

Our law firm is currently handling a particularly interesting cross‑border inheritance matter.
Our client — a Swiss citizen — entrusted us with managing the inheritance proceedings in Poland after his late father, who lived in the United States but owned real estate and bank accounts in Poland. 🇨🇭🇺🇸🇵🇱

Before his death, the father left a will in favor of his wife. During the course of the case, we have demonstrated that the will does not cover assets located in Poland, which opens the way to our client’s rightful inheritance. 👏

There is now a strong prospect of reaching a beneficial settlement with the other party.
Importantly, our client never had to travel to Poland — we handle everything remotely. 💻

Negotiations with the opposing law firm are progressing very well, and we are optimistic about a positive outcome for our client. 🤝

The case is being led by our partner Attorney Katarzyna Lewicka‑Krzysztowczyk, head of the Cross‑Border Cases Department. ⚖️

13/03/2026

🌍 Inheriting Property from Poland While Living Abroad? 🇵🇱✈️

Did you know that you can handle the entire inheritance process in Poland remotely, without even boarding a plane? 🏠💻
Modern legal tools — including powers of attorney and online court procedures — allow heirs living in the 🇺🇸 USA, 🇬🇧 UK, 🇩🇪 Germany, or anywhere else to obtain their inheritance safely and efficiently.

Avoid unnecessary travel ✈️, paperwork stress 📄, and missed deadlines ⏰ — learn how to manage everything online.

👉 Read the full article on our website and find out how to claim your inheritance from abroad with ease.
🔗 https://successioninpoland.com/remote-distribution-of-inheritance-from-abroad-to-poland-is-it-possible/