Cross-Border Inheritance in Italy (Successioni) – How We Can Assist You (Even If You Live Abroad)



See also the FAQ section below

If you have inherited (or may inherit) assets located in Italy—such as a house, land, a bank account, shares in an Italian company, or valuable personal property—handling the succession from abroad can quickly become difficult.

Italian succession procedures involve formal filings, strict documentation requirements, interactions with Italian banks and public offices, and practical issues (notifications, tax steps, translations, powers of attorney) that are hard to manage remotely.

In these situations, instructing an Italian lawyer—especially one who can work in English—can help you avoid delays, costly mistakes, and unnecessary disputes.

1) When you need an Italian lawyer for a cross-border succession


Typical cases include:

  • The deceased was not resident in Italy, but owned assets in Italy
  • The heirs live abroad and cannot travel easily
  • There is no clear will, or there are multiple wills in different countries
  • The estate includes Italian real estate, Italian bank accounts, or business interests
  • One or more heirs want to renounce, accept with benefit of inventory, or clarify their position
  • There are conflicts among heirs (hidden assets, unequal distributions, challenges to wills, lifetime gifts)
  • You must deal with an Italian bank that has frozen accounts pending succession documents

2) What we do: practical legal assistance step-by-step

A cross-border succession is not just “paperwork”. It is a sequence of legal and administrative steps that must be coordinated carefully. We can assist with:

Initial assessment and strategy

  • Identify what assets are located in Italy and what documents will be required
  • Check whether there are urgency issues (deadlines, frozen accounts, pending sales, ongoing expenses)
  • Clarify heirs’ positions: acceptance, renunciation, benefit of inventory, representation

Document preparation and international coordination

  • Guidance on obtaining foreign certificates and documents in the correct form
  • Coordination with sworn translations, apostille/legalization where needed
  • Drafting powers of attorney so you can act from abroad without repeated trips to Italy
  • Liaising with notaries when required and coordinating with professionals abroad (solicitors/attorneys, tax advisors)

Italian succession filings and registries

  • Preparation and filing of the Italian succession declaration (dichiarazione di successione) when required
  • Assistance with cadastral/land registry updates and related filings
  • Support for transferring title or regularising ownership positions for Italian real estate

Banks, investments, and release of funds

  • Communications with Italian banks and intermediaries
  • Submission of the bank’s required succession package and follow-up
  • Assistance to unlock accounts and enable transfers/distributions to heirs

Disputes and litigation (when cooperation fails)

If the succession becomes contentious, we can assist with:

  • Formal requests for information and asset disclosure
  • Measures to protect assets (when there is a concrete risk of dissipation)
  • Negotiation and structured settlement proposals among heirs
  • Court actions when necessary (challenges, claims, enforcement of rights)

 

3) Why it is often wise to instruct an Italian lawyer

From abroad, the most common problems are not “legal theory”, but practical blockers that stop everything:

  • Italian offices and banks often require very specific forms, wording, and certified documents
  • Incorrect documents can mean months of delay (or repeated submissions)
  • Heirs may unknowingly accept liabilities along with assets if steps are handled incorrectly
  • Disputes escalate quickly when communications are fragmented or informal
  • Without a reliable address for service and a professional handling notifications, you risk missing important communications and deadlines


A lawyer based in Italy can act as your point of contact, manage procedures end-to-end, and coordinate the various players involved—while keeping you informed in clear English.

4) What you should prepare before contacting us

To evaluate your case quickly, it is helpful to have:

  • The deceased’s full details (name, date/place of birth, date/place of death, last residence)
  • A copy of any will (if available)
  • A list of known Italian assets (property addresses, bank names/branches, known account details, company names)
  • Details of all potential heirs and their relationship to the deceased
  • Any letters/emails received from banks, notaries, or other heirs

Practical considerations and costs

Cross-border successions can be straightforward or complex depending on the number of heirs, the type of assets, and the level of conflict. Costs usually depend on:
 

  • Volume of documentation and translation needs
  • Number of institutions involved (banks, registries, notaries)
  • Whether there is a dispute or a cooperative settlement
  • Whether urgent protective measures are needed
  • We usually start with a document review and a clear action plan, so you understand: what must be done, what can realistically be achieved, and the expected steps.

In any of these steps, we can assist you.

For preliminary information and fee estimates, please email segreteria at tregnaghi dot it with the subject line “Information on inheritance assistance”.



FAQ – Cross-Border Inheritance in Italy


Do I need to travel to Italy to handle a succession?


Often, no. Many steps can be handled through a properly drafted power of attorney and careful document preparation, depending on the specific case and the institutions involved.

Why are Italian bank accounts often frozen after a death?


Italian banks typically freeze accounts to protect the estate and require succession documentation before releasing funds or allowing transfers. Having a lawyer manage the bank’s requirements can prevent repeated rejections and delays.

What if there are multiple heirs living in different countries?

That is common. The key is coordinating documentation, heir declarations, and signatures in a structured way, so the Italian filings and bank procedures can proceed without gaps.

What if I want to renounce the inheritance?

Renunciation is a formal legal act (in some cases, very wise) and should be evaluated carefully, especially if there are debts, guarantees, or unknown liabilities. A lawyer can help you understand consequences and the correct procedure.

What if I suspect assets are being hidden or mismanaged?

There are legal tools to request information and protect the estate, but timing and evidence matter. Early legal intervention can prevent irreversible situations.

Can you work entirely in English?


Yes. We can manage the matter in Italy while communicating with you in English and providing clear written updates and a practical roadmap.


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