Probate proceedings in Croatia: processing with attorney

> LJUBIC Law Firm provides the service of undertaking all legal actions for initiation of probate proceedings in Croatia. 

Probate law is rarely confined to a narrow legal niche in Croatia. Dealing with inheritance often requires expertise across a range of related legal fields, such as property and family law, and sometimes even calls for an understanding of fields like genealogy. 

In today’s climate of financial uncertainty and material insecurity, accompanied by a general lack of trust in lawyers and their credibility, you may be asking yourself whether you truly need a solicitor for a matter like probate. Is it possible to handle the process on your own, avoid any missteps, and save a considerable amount that would otherwise be spent on legal fees?

It is only logical to ask who a competent solicitor for probate proceedings is and what they can do for you that a Notary Public cannot.

Above all, we wish to emphasise that probate proceedings, although seemingly straightforward, do not always follow a linear course. Such proceedings may give rise to additional litigation or result in other adverse legal consequences for those involved.

A good solicitor for probate proceedings must not only be familiar with the process itself, but must also cover all six of the following points:

1. Possess a thorough understanding of general property law and ownership rights,
2. Have a comprehensive understanding of matrimonial property law, its legal modifications, and be able to identify the appropriate moment to raise this issue during the probate proceedings,
3. Review the complete composition of the estate to ensure that nothing is inadvertently overlooked
4. Inform you of the legal consequences of claims encumbering the estate (the decedent's debts) and how to resolve them, which requires a sound understanding of the principles of obligations law,
5. Ensure the timely protection of any potential claims you may have against the decedent
6. Have a forward-looking approach and recognise which matters should be raised during the probate proceedings to ensure your interests are protected in any future legal matters, such as land registry correction procedures.

Everything mentioned above reflects just a small part of what ought to be considered before making an inheritance statement during probate proceedings. The inheritance statement is final and binding, and any misstep at this stage cannot later be corrected.

A probate solicitor in Croatia, in addition to providing appropriate legal preparation to ensure that your rights and interests are fully safeguarded, may also act on your behalf in the following ways:

• Keep you updated on the status of your matter,
• Assist the Notary Public in ensuring that nothing is omitted from the estate, such as properties where the deceased held non-registered ownership,
• Raise objections to protect your rights, which may be broader than those claimed by other co-heirs,
• Take appropriate actions to expedite the case,
• By preparing the necessary statements for the notarization of your signature, we can ensure that you do not need to be physically present (for example, from abroad) to secure a decision in your favour, while also ensuring that you are fully informed and in agreement with the content of those statements.

We wish to emphasize that legal expertise and services are particularly essential for individuals residing abroad who have not had, or have recently lacked, full insight into the rights and obligations of the deceased. Such individuals require specialised and comprehensive legal representation to ensure their rights are fully and adequately safeguarded.

Therefore, if you are in doubt, it is worth thinking about engaging with a lawyer for probate proceedings in Croatia because, as soon as there are certain uncertainties, there are likely circumstances that can turn an otherwise straightforward probate process in an undesirable direction, potentially jeopardizing the adequate protection of your rights and interests.