Recent update from Naomi Mehmet

Where there is a Will ……
Many clients are uncertain about the rules regarding the requirement for making wills in the TRNC.
We often hear the rumour that if you do not make a will, the state will take your property! This is
completely untrue, however, it is advisable for foreigners to make Wills dealing with their assets in
Cyprus; otherwise, the recipients of their estate may not be the beneficiaries they would wish because
the rules on intestacy are not the same as in other countries. . For example a spouse will only receive
a one sixth share of the estate and any children will receive the remainder equally between
them and if there are no children other relatives will receive a share. There is a mechanism for resealing
a Grant of Probate here but this is not a straightforward procedure. For foreign clients we prefer
to lodge the Wills at the Court as these are checked and logged by the Wills Registrar and the original
kept at Court. Wills can only be lodged at the Court on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday.