Consultation on Remote Inheritance
We advise foreign heirs on the procedure for accepting an inheritance in Belarus remotely — explaining the available options, required documents, and applicable deadlines.
Inheritance Without Presence on the Territory of Belarus
Licensed Belarusian advocates managing inheritance proceedings on behalf of foreign nationals and non-residents — entirely under a power of attorney, without requiring travel to Belarus.
Our clients
Accepting an Inheritance in Belarus from Abroad
Where an inheritance is opened in Belarus but the heir is a foreign national or a Belarusian citizen residing abroad, the heir does not need to travel to Belarus to accept it. Belarusian law provides two routes for remote acceptance: directly by post, or through a representative acting under a notarised power of attorney. AMBY Legal manages the full inheritance process on behalf of foreign heirs — from the initial application to the notary through to receipt of the inheritance certificate and property transfer.
Accepting an Inheritance Independently from Abroad
An inheritance must be accepted within six months of the testator’s death. This deadline applies both to inheritance by will and to statutory inheritance where no will exists.
Where the heir resides abroad and the inherited property is located in Belarus, acceptance may be made by sending an application directly to the notary by post. The application is addressed to the notary at the testator’s last registered address — or, where that address is unknown, at the location of the inherited property. The application may be written in free form and must be submitted within the six-month period. The heir’s personal signature is sufficient — no certification of the signature is required for the initial acceptance application.
A second application — for the issuance of an inheritance certificate — must also be submitted. This application must include information about other known heirs (their addresses or places of work). The heir’s signature on the certificate application must be certified at a Belarusian consulate in the heir’s country of residence.
Contest a Will in Belarus
Contest a will in Belarus with professional legal assistance and protection of your inheritance rights.
Accepting an Inheritance Through a Representative
A foreign heir may issue a power of attorney to a representative in Belarus authorising that representative to accept the inheritance on their behalf. The power of attorney may be executed and certified at a Belarusian consulate abroad, or before a foreign notary — in which case it must be legalised for use in Belarus.
The power of attorney must expressly authorise the representative to accept the inheritance. Additional authorities may also be included — for example, to submit the application for an inheritance certificate, to provide the notary with supporting documents, and to collect the certificate once issued.
Apostille vs consular legalisation: where the power of attorney is issued in a state party to the 1961 Hague Convention, an apostille is sufficient. Hague Convention states include Israel, almost all EU countries, the USA, CIS states, Saudi Arabia — 124 states in total. Where the heir is in a state not party to the Convention, consular legalisation by the Belarusian consulate is required.
A power of attorney issued in a foreign language must be translated into Russian or Belarusian in Belarus by a translator working with the notary chamber.
Where the six-month acceptance deadline has been missed, AMBY Legal can assist with restoring it through court proceedings.
When Inheritance by Power of Attorney Is Used
The power of attorney route is the most practical option for heirs who are unable to travel to Belarus — whether due to residing abroad, illness, professional commitments, or other circumstances. A representative authorised under a power of attorney can handle the full inheritance procedure on the heir’s behalf — submitting applications, providing documents to the notary, and collecting the inheritance certificate — without the heir’s physical presence in Belarus.
What Is a Power of Attorney for Inheritance?
A power of attorney for inheritance is a notarised document granting a named representative the authority to act on the heir’s behalf in inheritance proceedings. Under Belarusian law, such a power of attorney may be general — authorising a broad range of actions — or specific, limited to inheritance-related matters only.
A power of attorney for inheritance typically authorises the representative to: submit the inheritance acceptance application; apply for the inheritance certificate; provide the notary with required documents; receive the inheritance certificate; and sign other necessary documents in the course of the inheritance proceedings.
A power of attorney issued abroad must be translated into Russian or Belarusian and legalised (by apostille or consular legalisation) before it can be used in Belarus.
Power of Attorney with the Right to Sub-delegate
A power of attorney may include the right to sub-delegate — allowing the original representative to transfer their authority to a third party where necessary. This creates a secondary power of attorney in the sub-delegation process. Notaries are required to inform clients of this option and to confirm whether the principal wishes to include this right. Only a legally capable adult may act as a representative or sub-delegate under such a power of attorney.
Duration of the Power of Attorney
A power of attorney for inheritance purposes may be issued for any period from one day to three years — as specified by the principal. The validity period must be clearly stated in the document, together with the date and place of notarisation, the notary’s certification, and the signatures of the notary and the principal.
Once the power of attorney expires, it ceases to have legal effect and cannot be extended — a new document must be issued. AMBY Legal advises on the appropriate validity period based on the anticipated duration of the inheritance proceedings.
Our Services
Document Preparation
We prepare all documents required for remote management of the inheritance case — ensuring compliance with Belarusian notarial requirements.
Submitting the Inheritance Claim
We submit the inheritance acceptance application to the Belarusian notary on behalf of the heir — either by post or under a power of attorney.
Power of Attorney Drafting
We advise on and draft the power of attorney for inheritance — specifying the required authorities and ensuring the document meets Belarusian legal requirements.
Full Remote Case Management
We manage the full inheritance case on behalf of the heir under a power of attorney — handling all communication with the notary and other authorities.
Court Proceedings for Missed Deadlines
Where the inheritance acceptance deadline has been missed, we prepare the court application and represent the heir's interests in proceedings to restore the deadline.
What a Representative Can Do Under the Power of Attorney
Submit Inheritance Claim
Submit the inheritance acceptance application to the notary on behalf of the heir.
Renounce Inheritance
Renounce the inheritance or part of it on behalf of the heir — with the decision properly documented.
Obtain Inheritance Certificate
Apply for and collect the inheritance certificate on behalf of the heir.
Sign Documents
Sign all documents required in the course of the inheritance proceedings on behalf of the heir.
Handle All Inheritance Matters
Manage all aspects of the inheritance process on the heir's behalf — ensuring timely and accurate action at every stage.
Actions That Constitute Acceptance of Inheritance
Inheritance Rights in Belarus
Assert your inheritance rights in Belarus with professional legal support!
Why Foreign Nationals Choose AMBY Legal
Expert Analysis
We assess each inheritance situation thoroughly — identifying the applicable procedure, required documents, and any complications that may arise.
Numerous Successful Cases
We have managed inheritance proceedings for foreign nationals entirely under a power of attorney — across a range of asset types and family situations.
Saving Clients’ Money
We advise on the most efficient route to completing the inheritance — avoiding unnecessary steps and unnecessary costs.
Resolving Complex Disputes
Where inheritance matters become contested — missed deadlines, disputed rights, or court proceedings — we represent the heir's interests throughout.
Saving Your Time
We manage all legal aspects of the inheritance on the heir's behalf — allowing them to focus on other matters while we handle the proceedings in Belarus.
Communicating in Your Language
We communicate with foreign heirs in English throughout — explaining each step clearly and keeping them informed of progress.
FAQ
What is the deadline for accepting an inheritance in Belarus, and what happens if it is missed?
The deadline is six months from the date of the testator’s death — applying to both inheritance by will and statutory inheritance. Where the deadline is missed, the heir may apply to the court to restore it. Valid grounds include serious illness, being abroad and unaware of the death, or other compelling circumstances that prevented timely acceptance. The heir must provide evidence supporting the claim and demonstrate that they acted promptly once the obstacle was removed.
Can an heir refuse to accept an inheritance in Belarus?
Yes. An heir may renounce the inheritance within six months of the testator’s death — including where they wish to avoid inheriting the deceased’s debts. Renunciation must be formally documented. There is no forced inheritance — an heir who renounces is not liable for the deceased’s obligations.
What are the basic rules of inheritance in Belarus?
An inheritance must be accepted within six months of the testator’s death — either by will or under the statutory succession order. Where the heir does not take any action within this period, the right to inherit lapses — subject to the possibility of court restoration of the deadline in exceptional circumstances.
How can a foreign heir accept an inheritance in Belarus without travelling there?
There are two routes. First, by sending a written acceptance application directly to the Belarusian notary by post within the six-month period — no signature certification is required for the initial acceptance application. Second, by issuing a notarised power of attorney to a representative in Belarus who will manage the full proceedings on the heir’s behalf. AMBY Legal acts as representative for foreign heirs under a power of attorney.
What are the requirements for a power of attorney issued abroad for use in Belarusian inheritance proceedings?
The power of attorney must be notarised in the country of issue. Where that country is a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, an apostille is sufficient. Where it is not, consular legalisation by a Belarusian consulate is required. The document must be translated into Russian or Belarusian by a certified translator in Belarus.
What if the heir lives in a different region of Belarus?
The inheritance is handled by the notary at the testator’s last registered address — regardless of where the heir resides. A heir in another region can accept the inheritance by post or by issuing a power of attorney to a representative who will act at the relevant notary office.
Where is the inheritance opened in Belarus?
The inheritance is opened at the notary office at the testator’s last permanent registered address. Where the testator’s address is unknown, the inheritance is opened at the location of the inherited property. This determines which notary office has jurisdiction over the inheritance proceedings.
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