When there is no will
In the Republic of Cyprus, when a person passes away without leaving a valid will (intestacy), the administration and distribution of their estate to the lawful heirs is governed by a strict legal framework.
The primary governing statutes are:
- §The Wills and Succession Law (Cap. 195)
- §The Administration of Estates Law (Cap. 189)
The Cyprus Courts have jurisdiction where the deceased had their habitual residence in Cyprus, or held movable or immovable property within the Republic at the time of their death.
Who is entitled to a share?
In the absence of a will, the estate is distributed according to the statutory degrees of succession set out in the law:
Surviving spouse & children
Together with the children’s descendants, they form the first class of heirs and inherit the estate in equal shares.
Parents, siblings & other relatives
Inherit only where there are no surviving children or grandchildren — always together with the statutory portion allocated to the surviving spouse.
The five stages of estate administration
We guide and represent clients through every stage of the administration procedure:
- 1
Asset identification & document collection
- Identifying and locating all estate assets — immovable property, bank accounts, vehicles, company shares.
- Verifying the outstanding liabilities, debts and obligations of the deceased.
- Obtaining the Death Certificate and the Certificate of Heirs from the competent local authority (Mukhtar / Community Leader).
- 2
Application for Letters of Administration
- Selecting the administrator with the written consent of the remaining lawful heirs.
- Drafting and filing the application before the competent District Court, supported by an affidavit and the required Administration Bond.
- 3
Filing of the estate inventory
- Once the Letters of Administration are granted, the administrator must file with the Court a formal, comprehensive inventory of all assets and liabilities within the statutory timeframe.
- 4
Settlement of liabilities & tax clearance
- Settling the debts and expenses of the estate — e.g. funeral expenses, medical costs, outstanding loans.
- Addressing all tax obligations with the Tax Department to secure the Certificate of Tax Clearance.
- 5
Distribution of the estate & final accounts
- Distributing the net remaining assets to the lawful heirs — transfers of title deeds at the Land Registry, closure and payout of bank accounts.
- Filing the Final Accounts for Court approval, which formally concludes the administration of the estate.
Why families trust us
The administration of an estate requires strict precision, an in-depth understanding of property and tax considerations, and absolute discretion — especially when disputes arise among heirs or when assets are held abroad.
Our team takes over the entire judicial and administrative procedure, safeguarding the prompt, lawful and smooth transfer of your property rights.
Precision
Every filing, inventory and account prepared accurately and on time.
Cross-border estates
Support for heirs and assets outside Cyprus.
Discretion
Sensitive family matters handled confidentially.
