What is an Inheritance/Estates?
An inheritance or estate comprises the entire estate of a deceased person — both assets and liabilities.
Upon death, this estate is distributed among the legal heirs. A specialized inheritance lawyer guides families through every stage, from heir identification to final asset distribution.
How are heirs identified?
Portuguese law establishes a clear order of preference for heirs:
- Spouse + descendants (children/grandchildren);
- Spouse + ascendants (parents/grandparents);
- Siblings and their descendants;
- Other collateral relatives up to the 4th degree;
- The State (if no heirs exist).
Legitimate portion – Primary heirs (spouse + descendants/ascendants) are legally entitled to at least 2/3 of the estate.
With a Will – The lawyer ensures the deceased’s designated beneficiaries receive their share, respecting the legitimate portion.
Without a Will – Statutory succession rules apply strictly in the order above.
First steps and procedure
The lawyer immediately:
- Reports the death to Civil Registry and Tax Authority;
- Files required documents within 3 months to avoid fines;
- Prepares asset/debt inventory and heir qualification.
Who manages distribution?
The estate administrator oversees the process until final sharing.
The lawyer, acting as their representative, handles all procedural steps.
How we assist you
- Complete process management from death notification to final distribution;
- Legal documentation preparation and filing;
- Mediation between heirs, creditors, and other parties;
- Full coordination with Tax Authority, Social Security, and Registry Offices.