Frequently asked questions

The death is declared at the civil registry of the commune where it occurred, in principle within 24 hours. The funeral director often handles this for you.

Allow 10 to 15 copies. Every bank, insurer, fund and administration asks for an original. Ordering more later is possible but costs time.

Yes, as soon as the bank is informed, and powers of attorney lapse. Funeral costs can generally be paid from the account on presentation of the invoice. A joint account may continue to operate depending on the agreement signed.

Yes as soon as real estate forms part of the estate, and in practice in almost every case: the deed of inheritance is what banks, insurers and buyers will ask for.

Yes. Renunciation is made by formal declaration. There is also acceptance up to the net assets, which limits your exposure to what you receive. Do not deal with anything before you have chosen: some acts amount to acceptance.

Where there are children, the spouse can generally opt either for usufruct of the family home and its furnishings, or for a share in full ownership equal to a child's share, with a minimum of one quarter. This choice strongly affects whether a sale is possible.

No. A declared partnership does not offer the same inheritance protection as marriage. Without a will, a surviving partner can be left in a very awkward position. A visit to the notary during one's lifetime resolves this.

Usually six months for a death occurring in Luxembourg, twelve months elsewhere in Europe, twenty-four months outside Europe. Flag any foreseeable delay: penalties are avoidable.

Yes, selling a jointly owned property requires unanimity. But nobody can be forced to stay in joint ownership: division can be requested, and a court can order a sale by auction. That is slow and expensive, and a neutral valuation often unblocks the situation well before that point.

A final sale requires heir status to be established and the property transcribed into the heirs' names. You can, however, prepare the file, obtain a valuation and even market the property in parallel, which saves several months.

Rarely. In an estate sale most works are not recovered in the price. A thorough clean, clearance of clutter and a few safety repairs are usually enough. We will tell you what is worth doing and what is not.

Yes, to sell. It must be issued by an approved professional and appear in the listings. We arrange it if you do not have one.

That is common in Luxembourg and blocks nothing. A notarial power of attorney allows signature at a distance; exchanges take place in French, German or English, and the notary organises the signing.

Yes, and with no obligation to give us the sale. You receive a written document you can use for the inheritance declaration and for the discussion between heirs.

A first range within 24 working hours based on the information provided, and a full report after the visit, generally within a few days.

Only on signature of the notarial deed, as a percentage of the price agreed in advance in the mandate. No sale, no fee.

French, German, English and Luxembourgish. Sale documents are produced in three languages.

It is used solely to handle your request. It is never resold. You can ask for it to be deleted at any time by email.