Lawyer Michał Drapała

For those living abroad

Lawyer Michał Drapała

Handle your inheritance case in Poland without traveling – I’ll guide you through the entire process, from start to finish.

Many Poles living permanently abroad — including in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Germany — may face the need to settle inheritance matters in Poland. Questions often arise, such as:

Do I need to come to Poland in person? Can I inherit (accept) the estate and then sell it, simply receiving the funds in my bank account?

The answer is: yes, it’s possible – and without the need to come to Poland.
As a lawyer based in Poland, I provide comprehensive legal assistance in inheritance matters for clients living abroad. I represent my clients before courts, notaries, and tax authorities, and – equally importantly – I assist in selling inherited property and in transferring the funds directly to the client’s bank account.

Power of attorney – the first step to taking action

We start our cooperation with you granting me a notarial power of attorney, which you sign:

– with a notary public in the country where you live (for example, in the USA – the document must be affixed with an apostille), or

– at the Consulate of the Republic of Poland, which is usually the simplest solution, as it does not require legalization.

On the basis of this document, I can act on your behalf at every stage – without the need for you to come to Poland.

Inheritance proceedings without the client’s presence

Acting as your attorney, I can:

  1. file a petition with the court for the declaration of inheritance,
  2. represent you at court hearings,
  3. obtain a final and binding court decision,
  4. carry out a notarial certification of inheritance, if possible in the given case,
  5. report the acquisition of the inheritance to the tax office so that you do not have to pay tax (if you are exempt as an immediate family member – tax group I), and ultimately assist in selling the share of the inheritance.

I handle all the formalities locally in Poland, while you receive all documents, information, and confirmations electronically.

Sale of a share in the inheritance or of the entire estate – all without your personal involvement

After the inheritance proceedings are completed, a common question arises:
What should I do with the inherited property if I live abroad?

This question is particularly relevant when the heir does not intend to return to Poland. His ties with the country are only nominal.

In such situations, I offer assistance with:

  1. the sale of real estate, shares in a property, or other assets (e.g. plots of land, apartments, farms),
  1. the conclusion of sales agreements, preliminary contracts, and the organization of necessary valuations, permits, and certificates,
  2. signing the sales agreement on your behalf before a notary,
  3. the transfer of funds obtained from the sale directly to your bank account (in PLN or foreign currency).

The entire sales process is carried out in accordance with applicable civil and tax law. I safeguard your interests, represent you before the buyer, and ensure compliance with the provisions of the Civil Code (Article 1051 et seq.) and the regulations on powers of attorney.

What documents are required?

In most cases, we need:

  1. the death certificate of the deceased,
  1. your birth or marriage certificate,
  2. the will (if it exists),
  3. your power of attorney,
  4. documents confirming the assets (e.g. land and mortgage registers),
  5. a copy of your passport or ID card.

I can handle all translations and formalities on your behalf.

Why is it worth working with a lawyer?

What is my role in this type of case? Above all, you don’t waste time on travel or dealing with offices. The involvement of a professional attorney ensures that all actions are lawful and carried out on time. You are represented by a professional who knows local regulations, notarial practices, and court procedures, which means you can sell property in Poland and receive the funds directly into your foreign bank account—without worrying about formalities and without the need to come to Poland.

Sometimes, an inheritance case can also cause discomfort due to the need to contact family members you have not seen for many years — or perhaps ever. Distant relatives living in Poland may try to challenge the inheritance rights of a person residing abroad simply because they live outside the country. Representation by a professional attorney is the best remedy for such situations. 

Who is this solution for?

Remote inheritance proceedings and sale of inheritance are the right solution for:

  1. Polish citizens living abroad,
  1. people who own family property in Poland,
  2. heirs who do not plan to return to Poland,
  3. anyone who values convenience, time savings, and legal security,
  4. for individuals expecting a “complex” inheritance proceeding in Poland.

Contact us – we’ll take care of everything for you.

If you have inherited in Poland and want to handle everything efficiently — from inheritance proceedings to the sale of assets — please get in touch. I handle cases comprehensively, diligently, and with full commitment.

With my assistance, you can settle the inheritance without leaving the country where you live, sell the inherited property without visiting Poland, and ultimately receive the due funds directly into your bank account.

Contact us

Do you have questions or do you need our services?
+48 781 607 246