Inheritance with Foreign Elements in Russia

If a relative left a flat, a bank account or company shares in Russia and you live abroad, you can still inherit. The key steps are to open a case with a Russian notary within six months of the death, prove your relationship with properly legalised documents, and obtain a certificate of inheritance for each asset.

Attorney Elena Petrova handles such cases for heirs in the United States. Most of the procedure can run through a representative in Russia, so a trip is often unnecessary.

Which Country's Law Governs the Estate

Russian conflict rules sit in the third part of the Civil Code. As a general rule, succession follows the law of the country where the deceased last lived. Real estate is treated separately: land, flats and houses located in Russia pass under Russian law, whatever the deceased's residence or citizenship.

This split matters in practice. A will made in California may be recognised as to its form, but Russian law will still decide forced shares in a Moscow apartment. Disabled dependants and minor children can claim a mandatory share despite the will.

Opening the Case With a Russian Notary

The case is opened by a notary at the deceased's last place of residence. When that place was abroad, the case is usually opened where the Russian property is located, or where its most valuable part sits.

You can submit an application in person, through a representative with a notarised power of attorney, or at a Russian consulate. The notary then sends inquiries to banks, registers and other heirs. At the end, you receive separate certificates that let you register or collect each asset.

Papers You Will Need From Abroad

Foreign documents must carry an apostille or consular legalisation, depending on the issuing country, and a certified Russian translation.

Spelling mismatches in transliterated names are the most frequent cause of delay. A court may be needed to confirm kinship when records do not match.

The Six-Month Window and Late Claims

An heir must accept the estate within six months from the date of death. Acceptance happens either by application to the notary or by actual conduct, such as paying for the flat's upkeep or taking possession.

If the deadline has passed, a court may restore it when there was a valid reason, for example the heir did not and could not know of the death. The claim must be filed within six months after that reason ceased. Agreement of all other heirs can also let a notary accept a late heir without court.

Taxes and Fees on Inherited Assets

Russia has no inheritance tax, and inherited property is generally exempt from personal income tax. The notary charges a state fee for the certificate, which depends on the value of the asset and on how close your kinship is to the deceased.

A later sale is another matter. Selling inherited Russian real estate soon after inheritance may trigger Russian income tax. Your home country may also tax the sale or the foreign inheritance, so coordinate with a tax adviser in the US.

Moving Money and Property Out of Russia

Receiving an inheritance and transferring its value abroad are separate steps. Currency controls and counter-sanction rules can limit transfers for residents of certain countries. Blocked-account regimes and permit requirements change often.

Before selling, check whether the proceeds can be paid to your foreign account or must stay in a Russian account.

How the Attorney Supports Heirs Abroad

The work starts with a list of assets and documents, then a power of attorney for the notary stage. Contested cases, such as disputes over a will or a missed deadline, move to court.

The main channel of communication with the attorney is email: attorneypetrova1@gmail.com.