Veraset

Veraset is the set of laws and procedures that govern the transfer of a deceased person’s estate to heirs. It covers both intestate succession, where there is no will, and testamentary dispositions, where the decedent has specified how assets should be distributed. The estate typically includes all rights and obligations of the deceased, such as real estate, movable property, and debts.

In many jurisdictions, including Turkey, veraset is anchored in a national civil code. Heirs are determined by established rules and usually include spouses, children or descendants, and sometimes parents, siblings or other relatives. There are reserved portions for certain close relatives to protect their inheritance, limiting the extent to which a decedent can freely dispose of property through a will. A will allows the decedent to alter distribution within legal limits; forced heirs must receive at least their legal share.

If there is a will, veraset proceeds as testamentary disposition and is subject to probate to ensure validity and enforceability. If there is no will, intestate succession rules apply, and the estate is divided among eligible heirs according to statutory shares. In cases with multiple heirs, the estate may be partitioned, and ownership interests transferred accordingly. Transfers of real property typically require a formal declaration and registration processes, often aided by documents such as a certificate of inheritance.

Practical steps in veraset include proving death, compiling an inventory of assets and liabilities, settling debts, obtaining the necessary inheritance certificate, and distributing assets in accordance with the applicable law or will. Inheritance-related taxes, when applicable, are administered under the relevant tax framework.