How long does inheritance (probate) take in Czechia?
A simple estate is usually settled within a few months. Complex estates with disputes among heirs, foreign assets or a contested will can take a year or more. A court-appointed notary conducts the proceeding and the timeline depends mostly on the estate's complexity and cooperation between heirs.
Probate (dědické řízení) is conducted by a notary appointed by the district court as a court commissioner. The notary identifies the heirs, the assets and the debts, and issues the decision on inheritance.
For a straightforward estate with one obvious heir and clear assets, the whole process often completes in three to six months. The main delays come from valuing property, locating heirs abroad, or resolving disputes.
Heirs can accept or reject the inheritance. A rejection must be declared within one month of being notified of the right to inherit (or three months if the heir's sole residence is abroad).
This text is general and informative and is drawn from publicly available laws of the Czech Republic. It does not replace individual legal advice from an advocate. Before deciding a specific matter, we recommend consulting a qualified lawyer.