Everything you are entitled to.
And not a cent less.
Lawyer for international inheritance law in Vienna
Initial consultation free of charge. You leave with an answer, not an invoice.
What are you really entitled to? We explain it so that you understand it. No fairy tales, no legal jargon, no surprises.
ErbrechtCheck: find out in one minute what you are entitled to → Free inheritance check by our firmLawyer for international inheritance law · Deutsch · English · Български · Türkçe · Русский · Українська
What am I entitled to?
One minute, a first answer.
Simplified calculation under Austrian succession law (ABGB as amended by ErbRÄG 2015). Not legal advice. Deviations may result from, among other things, reductions of the compulsory portion, waivers of inheritance or of the compulsory portion, preferential legacies, the care legacy, estate debts and foreign law.
Inheritance law · Who inherits how much?
The living family tree
Simplified statutory succession under Austrian law without a will, for illustration only.
Calculate your share precisely →Frequently asked questions
What am I entitled to? – Questions people ask themselves every day
My sister received a plot of land as a wedding gift 20 years ago. Now Dad has died and I get much less. Is that fair?
No, and the law agrees. Gifts to children are taken into account without any time limit, even after 20 years. We calculate what you are really entitled to. Full article with a case from our practice →
My father’s will puts me at a disadvantage – but it was made before a notary. Can I still do anything?
Yes. Having a notary at the table does not make a will unchallengeable. Wills made before a notary can also fail because of formal defects, a lack of testamentary capacity or outside pressure. And not even the most carefully drafted will can take away your compulsory share. Full article with a case from our practice →
My father's new partner was given a flat shortly before his death. Is that allowed?
He may make gifts. But gifts to third parties in the last two years before death are added when calculating your compulsory portion; if necessary, the recipient has to pay. Don't wait, the deadline is running. Full article with a case from our practice →
In the will, my sister gets much more, just because she came to family celebrations more often. Is he allowed to do that?
Yes, but not without limits. You are entitled to at least the compulsory portion, half of your statutory share, in money. We tell you how much that is. Full article with a case from our practice →
I cared for my parents for years, my brother didn't. Am I not entitled to more?
You are. Since 2017 there has been the care legacy (Pflegevermächtnis): anyone who cared for a close relative for at least six months within the last three years before death receives a separate claim against the estate for it, in addition to their share. Very few people know this, and nobody will tell you on their own. Full article with a case from our practice →
My father has a child born out of wedlock. Why does it suddenly get exactly as much as I do?
Because children born in and out of wedlock are completely equal under inheritance law, both for the statutory share and the compulsory portion. Whether the child also has to have gifts credited, we will clarify. Full article with a case from our practice →
My husband died before his parents. Now his parents are dying. Does our child get anything?
Yes. Your child takes the place of its father and inherits his full share. We make sure it is not overlooked. Full article with a case from our practice →
My husband inherited a great deal during his lifetime. Now he has died. What am I entitled to?
Everything he owned belongs to the estate, including what he inherited. Alongside children you inherit one third, plus the right to live in the marital home and the household effects. Whether a will changes this and what your compulsory portion is, we calculate. Full article with a case from our practice →
I have been disinherited. Can I do anything?
Usually, yes. Disinheritance is only possible on a few statutory grounds, and they have to be proven. If the ground does not hold, you still receive your compulsory portion. Full article with a case from our practice →
I want to disinherit someone. Is that possible?
Yes, but only on specific grounds and only if it is done correctly. A badly worded will is challenged after your death, and then exactly the person you wanted to exclude gets something. We draft it so that it holds. Full article with a case from our practice →
We were together for 25 years but not married. He has died. Do I get anything?
Without a will: practically nothing. Cohabiting partners have no statutory right of inheritance, only a right to live in the home for one year. If you are in this situation, come immediately. If you live like this, make a will now. Full article with a case from our practice →
Dad had dementia when he made his will. Is it valid?
Only if he had testamentary capacity at that moment. This can be examined and challenged, with medical records and expert opinions. The sooner, the better. Full article with a case from our practice →
We found a handwritten will in the bedside table. Is it valid?
If it is written and signed entirely in the testator's own hand, yes. A single word typed on a computer can make it invalid. Show it to us before you hand it to the notary. Full article with a case from our practice →
Years ago I signed a waiver of inheritance because my father gave me money at the time. Am I out?
It depends on exactly what you signed. A waiver of inheritance is not the same as a waiver of the compulsory portion, and some waivers do not cover later gifts to others. We read the document. Full article with a case from our practice →
The deceased had debts. Do I have to refuse the inheritance?
Not necessarily. With a conditional declaration of acceptance you are only liable up to the value of the estate. Refusing is often the wrong reflex. Full article with a case from our practice →
The heirs say they have no money for my compulsory portion. Do I have to wait?
The compulsory portion is due one year after death. A court can defer payment, but not indefinitely and only against security. We enforce your claim. Full article with a case from our practice →
My mother lived in Vienna, the house is in Bulgaria, my brother lives in Germany. Who has jurisdiction?
Within the EU, in principle the court of the last habitual residence, i.e. Vienna, for everything. For countries outside the EU a second procedure is needed, which we coordinate with lawyers on the ground. One point of contact instead of three authorities. Full article with a case from our practice →
My parents in Serbia have died. I live in Vienna and don't want to lose the house there.
Serbia is not in the EU; the procedure there follows Serbian law. We represent you from Vienna, with a local lawyer we know, and you don't have to travel for every appointment. Full article with a case from our practice →
My father lived in Germany, I live in Austria. Does the German or the Austrian compulsory portion apply?
The German one, if he last lived in Germany. The rules on gifts and deadlines there differ from ours. We know both and tell you what that means in euros. Full article with a case from our practice →
My children live in the USA and Canada. What will they have to do when I die?
Almost nothing, if you arrange it properly now: one will, one procedure in Vienna, one point of contact. We represent your children in the proceedings without them having to fly in. Full article with a case from our practice →
The deceased had accounts in Russia and Switzerland. How do I get access?
Often not with the Austrian court order (Einantwortungsbeschluss) alone. Every country requires its own proof. We know which bank wants which document, and we obtain it. Full article with a case from our practice →
I work in Vienna, have a small flat here, and a house from my parents in China. What happens if something happens to me?
Austrian law and a Viennese procedure apply to the flat in Vienna. The house in China follows Chinese law; the EU rules do not apply there. You need two coordinated wills, otherwise the procedures block each other. We draft both, with partners on the ground. Full article with a case from our practice →
My father died in Serbia, I live in Vienna, and he had an account with an Austrian bank. Where do I have to go?
To Serbia for the procedure there, and in Austria a separate procedure for the account. The bank will not pay out without an Austrian court order. We coordinate both; you don't have to travel. Full article with a case from our practice →
I am Bulgarian and have lived in Vienna for 15 years; my children live in Sofia. Which law applies to my will?
Without a choice of law, Austrian law applies because you live here. But in your will you can choose Bulgarian law, which then applies to all your assets in the EU. Which choice is better for your family, we work out together, in Bulgarian. Full article with a case from our practice →
My brother lives in the USA and wants to sell our parents' house in Vienna immediately. I want to keep it. What now?
As a community of heirs you decide together; no one can act alone. If you cannot agree, you end up with a partition action, which usually ends in a sale. It is better to reach an agreement before it comes to that. We negotiate it, with him in America by video. Full article with a case from our practice →
I inherited a plot of land in Turkey from my parents and live in Vienna. Do I have to do anything here?
The procedure for the land takes place in Turkey, under Turkish law. In Austria only if there were also assets here. What you should still settle here: your own will, so that your children later receive the land without going through the same process. We advise in Turkish. Full article with a case from our practice →
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What we do for you
ErbrechtCheck – everything you are entitled to, and not a cent less
We calculate what you are entitled to: estate, gifts made over past decades, compulsory portion, crediting, care legacy. We obtain the information that heirs and gift recipients are obliged to give you. We make the claim and negotiate. We only go to court when necessary.
The notary handles the probate procedure. That is the notary's job, and it is done well. Representing your interests is not the notary's job. It is ours.
Fixed price. You know the cost in advance.Lawyer for international inheritance law – one will, one law, one procedure
Lawyer for international inheritance law. German, English, Bulgarian, Turkish, Russian.
- You have assets in two or more countries and don't want your heirs to struggle later with authorities in several countries and under different laws? Come to us.
- You have a house in Greece, have lived in Austria for decades, and your children live in Sweden and Germany? Come to us.
- You live in Vienna, have assets in Turkey from your parents, and your children don't know whether they will stay? Come to us.
Within the EU we settle this in one step: choice of law, one competent court, one European Certificate of Succession. For countries outside the EU we coordinate the wills with lawyers on the ground whom we know. And we know from our own experience what it is like to be at home in two countries.
Will, advance directives, gifts – so that there are no questions later
- Will at a fixed price: simple, with property, or for patchwork families and entrepreneurs. Bilingual on request.
- Living will and lasting power of attorney: who decides when you no longer can? You, now.
- Gifts during your lifetime: transfer agreement, right of residence, prohibition on encumbrance and sale, waiver of the compulsory portion. We show you in advance what your gift will trigger after your death.
- Disinheriting someone: only on statutory grounds and only if it holds. We draft it that way.
Will from € 1,200 – including registration in the ÖZTR and safekeeping in a bank safe
International will for assets in several countries from € 4,900 · Executor of the will
All will packages and fixed prices →Assets in several countries? How the international will works →
Why us
Estates are not a side topic for us, they are our daily work.
* In two out of three cases in which we challenged a will, it was set aside. That is our experience so far, not a promise. Advice in German, English, Bulgarian, Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian.
Google reviews from our clients
“Mag. Shotekova represented me very competently in an inheritance matter involving a contested will. She pursued the case consistently and successfully enforced my claims. In the end, I received my statutory inheritance. Very professional, committed and competent representation. Highly recommended for inheritance law!”
Magdalena T. · Google review · translated from German · Contested will
“When brief complications arose at the end, she did everything in her power to make it a success. You restored our faith in people!”
Brigitte · Google review
“Competent, friendly and very well advised. I would use the services of Mag. Nevena Shotekova-Zöchling again at any time.”
Sascha Winternitz · Google review
“Communication was quick and straightforward, and I felt well advised at all times.”
A P · Google review
Reviews translated from German.
Our promise
Our guarantees
Fixed-price guarantee
The price is set before we start. No additional charges.
Clarity guarantee
If after the initial consultation you don't know where you stand, we haven't done our job.
48-hour guarantee
Response within two working days. Always.
Honesty guarantee
If you are not entitled to anything, we tell you. We don't sell hope.
We are your co-pilot
You keep the controls and decide where the journey goes. We sit beside you, know the route and the instruments. And when it gets turbulent, we take over. What matters is that everyone lands safely and everyone arrives where they belong.
Everything you are entitled to. And not a cent less. No fairy tales.
Book your initial consultation – free of charge Free inheritance check by our firm Send an e-mailGuide: answers to the most common questions
Inheritance law & probate
- How is the compulsory share calculated in Austria? How much are you entitled to?
- Gifts and the compulsory share in Austria: Does a gift still count after 20 years?
- Contesting a will in Austria: What grounds, time limits and costs apply?
- How do probate proceedings work in Austria – and what do they cost?
- Inheriting debts in Austria: Should I accept the inheritance conditionally or unconditionally?
- Writing your own will in Austria: Which formal errors make it invalid?
- Who inherits without a will? Statutory succession in Austria
- Is there inheritance tax in Austria? What you still pay when inheriting property
- Care legacy in Austria: Do relatives who provided care get more from the estate?
- International inheritance law in Austria: What applies to assets or heirs abroad?
- Inheritance contracts in Austria: who can conclude one, what it binds and what it costs
- Probate in Austria for heirs living abroad: how the Austrian estate procedure works