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Country law guide · Poland

Wills, succession & estates in Poland

Wills, estate planning, administration and inheritance disputes.

Polish succession draws on the Civil Code and the applicable court or notarial procedure. Testamentary documents should be considered alongside protected family interests and the ownership of assets before death. Cross-border estates may engage the EU Succession Regulation, while tax, matrimonial property and land registration remain distinct questions requiring coordinated advice.

For a matter involving Poland, the preparation should match the local legal framework. Prepare the family tree, asset schedule, residence history and all testamentary documents. Distinguish the law governing succession from tax, matrimonial property and registration questions. Check the authority handling administration and any applicable cross-border certificate, while confirming execution formalities and protected family interests before relying on a will drafted for another jurisdiction.

Key laws & official sources

Civil Code of 23 April 1964

Official Polish legislative record with publication, consolidation and amendment links; select the applicable version.

Code of Civil Procedure: 2026 consolidated publication

Official consolidation published in 2026, including arbitration provisions; check later amendments.

Point to check

Check the operative Poland text, amendments, territorial scope and procedural dates. An English summary or older translation is not a substitute for the authoritative version governing the matter.

Practical next steps

  • Compile the will, family tree, residence history and asset ownership documents.
  • Prepare the original documents and a dated chronology of the relevant events.
  • Confirm the competent authority, local representation and any deadline before taking the next step.

Documents to prepare

  • Existing wills and testamentary documents
  • Family tree and asset schedule
  • Death records and residence history
Illustrative legal professionals with the Royal Castle and Castle Square in Warsaw
Illustrative professional scene: the Royal Castle and Castle Square, Warsaw. 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 Poland?

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. Poland 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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