Updated: July 2026. A will determines who should receive the testator’s property, but the heir must still accept the inheritance through the procedure established by Russian law. This guide explains the usual sequence, documents and risk points. It is general information, not advice on a particular estate.
⏳ Key deadline: in the standard case, an heir has six months from the opening of the inheritance to submit an application or otherwise accept the estate in a legally recognised way. Do not wait for the end of the period if documents are incomplete: the application can normally be filed first and supporting documents supplied later.
How a will changes inheritance
A valid will may appoint one or more heirs, allocate particular assets, set shares, appoint an executor and include testamentary directions. The notary checks the will and the inheritance file through the Unified Notarial Information System.
A will does not remove every statutory safeguard. Under Article 1149 of the Russian Civil Code, certain close dependants may retain a compulsory share even if the will says otherwise. The surviving spouse’s own share in jointly acquired marital property must also be separated from the estate before distribution.
Step-by-step procedure
- Confirm the opening of the inheritance. The inheritance normally opens on the date of death or the date fixed by a court decision declaring the person dead.
- Find the inheritance file. Search the public Federal Notarial Chamber inheritance register. If no file exists, contact a notary competent for the place where the inheritance opens.
- File the application within six months. An heir may apply for acceptance of the inheritance or for issuance of an inheritance certificate. If the application is delivered by another person or sent by post, the heir’s signature normally requires proper certification.
- Provide the supporting documents. The notary identifies the deceased, the will, the applicants, the estate, family and marital circumstances, encumbrances and possible compulsory-share heirs.
- Check assets and liabilities. Obtain realistic valuations, identify mortgages, loans, enforcement proceedings, taxes and utility arrears, and compare the estate’s value with confirmed liabilities.
- Resolve special issues. Missing documents, competing wills, disputes over capacity or authenticity, omitted property, a missed deadline or disagreement between heirs may require additional evidence or court proceedings.
- Obtain the certificate and register rights. The certificate is normally issued after the six-month period. Rights to registrable property, including real estate, should then be entered in the relevant state register.
Documents commonly requested
The precise list depends on the estate. A notary may obtain some information electronically, but heirs should be ready to provide or identify the following:
| Document or information | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Passport and contact details of the heir | Identification and communication |
| Death certificate or court decision | Confirmation that the inheritance has opened |
| Original will, if available | Verification of the testamentary disposition |
| Information about the deceased’s last residence | Determining the place where the inheritance opens |
| Title and account documents | Identifying real estate, vehicles, bank assets, securities and other property |
| Marriage and family-status documents | Separating marital property and checking compulsory-share issues |
| Valuation documents | Calculating shares and applicable notarial charges |
| Loan, mortgage and enforcement records | Assessing inherited liabilities and encumbrances |
Typical timeline
| Stage | Usual timing | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Opening of inheritance | Date of death or legally established equivalent | Locate the will and inheritance file |
| Acceptance period | Usually six months | Submit the application without waiting for every supporting document |
| Notarial review | During the inheritance case | Confirm assets, debts, heirs, shares and encumbrances |
| Inheritance certificate | Normally after six months | Pay confirmed notarial charges and obtain the certificate |
| Registration and transfer | After the certificate | Register real estate or other registrable rights and notify relevant institutions |
Costs: what should be confirmed
Notarial costs may combine a federal tariff with a regional tariff for legal and technical services. Exemptions and reductions depend on the heir and the asset. Because regional amounts and individual circumstances vary, request a written calculation from the notary and check the current official tariff information. This article does not promise a fixed total price.
Important risk points
Minor or disabled children, a dis/strong>
Only the deceased spouse’s share enters the estate; the survivor’s own share must be identified first.
FAQ
Must a person named in a will accept the inheritance?
No. An appointed heir may accept or refuse the inheritance, subject to the statutory form, deadline and restrictions.
Can an heir accept an apartment but reject the deceased’s loan?
No. Acceptance generally covers the inheritance due to that heir as a whole. Before accepting, verify the estate’s assets, debts and security interests.
Does a will exclude every legal heir?
No. Compulsory-share rules and the surviving spouse’s property rights may still apply.
Can the certificate be issued before six months?
Russian law allows early issuance only where reliable evidence shows that no other heirs entitled to the estate exist. In practice, the notary decides whether the evidence is sufficient.
Can an heir living abroad proceed without travelling to Russia?
Some applications and powers of attorney can be prepared abroad and sent to Russia, but certification, apostille or legalisation and a Russian translation may be required. The route depends on the country and the document.
Official legal sources
- Official Legal Information Portal — Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Part Three, including Articles 1118, 1149, 1152–1154, 1162–1163 and 1175.
- Supreme Court Plenum Resolution No. 9 of 29 May 2012 on inheritance disputes.
- Federal Notarial Chamber: inheritance case register.
Related materials
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