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Country law guide · Austria

Wills, succession & estates in Austria

Wills, estate planning, administration and inheritance disputes.

Austrian estate administration uses a distinct deceased-estate proceeding, with notarial involvement in the court process. Wills, protected family rights and estate liabilities require review. Cross-border estates may engage EU succession rules while taxation remains separate.

Jurisiti can help organise planning instructions, estate records and local administration. Distinguish ownership, beneficiary entitlement and formal authority to administer. The inventory should include debts, company interests and foreign assets, with family circumstances and will formalities reviewed before distribution. Executors should preserve valuations, decisions and evidence of payments. Identify the Austrian estate proceeding and relevant succession evidence.

Key laws & official sources

Austria — estate administration

Official information on Austrian deceased-estate proceedings.

Austria — civil law and civil procedure

Official explanation of ABGB private law and ZPO, non-contentious and enforcement procedures.

Point to check

Confirm the current provisions, territorial scope and procedure for the particular facts; the linked sources support general guidance rather than an individual legal conclusion.

Practical next steps

  • Identify the Austrian estate proceeding and relevant succession evidence.
  • Locate original wills and death documentation.
  • Prepare assets, liabilities and family circumstances records.

Documents to prepare

  • Existing wills and testamentary documents
  • Family tree and asset schedule
  • Death records and residence history
Illustrative legal professionals with Belvedere Palace in Vienna
Illustrative professional scene: Belvedere Palace, Vienna. Fictional people; not a Jurisiti office or team photograph.

How Jurisiti can help

Identify the assets, ownership arrangements and family connections before choosing a succession strategy. Applicable law, court jurisdiction and tax treatment are separate questions. Forced-heirship provisions, matrimonial property and local execution formalities may affect a plan; a will valid in one place should not be assumed effective for every asset.

  • Will preparation and validity review
  • Estate administration and succession claims
  • Cross-border assets and inheritance planning

Questions about your matter

How do I start a wills, succession & estates enquiry in Austria?

Identify the jurisdiction, the people involved, any existing proceeding or deadline, and the result you need. A short chronology and the key documents help define the proposed engagement before local professional arrangements are confirmed.

Can a cross-border matter involve more than one legal system?

Yes. Austria may be one part of a wider matter involving another place of residence, contracting party, asset or forum. Applicable law, jurisdiction and enforcement should be assessed separately, using the relevant national and international rules.

Does this guide establish a lawyer-client relationship?

No. An enquiry or use of this guide does not establish an engagement. Conflicts, professional authority, scope, responsibilities and fees must be confirmed before work is undertaken.

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