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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Greek debt inheritance - desperate

24 replies

Beebee8 · 07/02/2019 15:24

Really needing urgent help here. Our uncle in Greece passed away last year and we have very little time remaining to renounce the large debt he left behind.

Not even sure this is allowed but does anybody know a Greek lawyer or -long shot- is one themself?

OP posts:

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 07/02/2019 15:30

Of no help but I didn’t realise you could write a will to leave a debt to someone rose?

User383673 · 07/02/2019 15:32

You absolutely aren’t going to get the help you need on Mumsnet. Are you based in the U.K.? If so speak to a private client solicitor here and get them to advise you about how to instruct a Greek solicitor.

Original poster

Beebee8 · 07/02/2019 15:41

There was no will. If there had been this wouldn't have happened 😔 Greek law is that f*cked that debt basically gets passed down through every single family member who each have to renounce it.

Thanks User. This is where I will start.. was just hoping to get lucky and have someone see this who could help

OP posts:

LarkDescending · 07/02/2019 15:54

This FCO list may be of assistance, OP?

PyongyangKipperbang · 07/02/2019 15:59

IF you dont live there, is the debt even enforcable?

SophiaLovesSummer · 07/02/2019 16:04

@Beebee8 You'e right to be concerned! And speedy now:

'It is thus very important to renounce the inheritance within the 1-year deadline, since the heir could bear significant risks, if the inheritance contained debts or other obligations of the deceased person.'

Here you go though - Greek English speaking lawyers with a speciality in inheritance law

HTH

time4chocolate · 07/02/2019 16:06

It happens in Germany too. My friend had this a couple of months ago, a deceased's debt passes down the family line and each family member officially declines it as it works its way down. She didn't need a lawyer but had to complete a form and take it I believe to the German embassy in London (she had to do this for her DC as well as they were the next in line). Is it worth ringing the Greek embassy to see if it's a similar procedure?

crosspelican · 07/02/2019 16:09

I can recommend a good Greek lawyer who speaks perfect English and is very helpful. I'll DM you now.

LarkDescending · 07/02/2019 16:12

@PyongyangKipperbang a Greek creditor could obtain a court judgment in Greece which is straightforwardly enforceable in the UK for so long as we are a member of the EU.

Arrangements for the post-Brexit position have not been finalised, and will depend upon the terms of departure.

DGRossetti · 07/02/2019 16:13

Of no help but I didn’t realise you could write a will to leave a debt to someone rose?

Why not ? Different countries have different laws. Why should you only be able to leave the good stuff behind ?

(Goes off to read history of said law ... I wonder if it's Napoleonic ?)

Original poster

Beebee8 · 07/02/2019 16:23

Thank you all for your help. Lark I wasn't actually aware a court judgement in Greece could be enforceable in the UK. Suddenly seeing a potential silver lining to Brexit.

I kid.

OP posts:

BadBear · 07/02/2019 16:32

Hi, Greek person here who recently had to do the same after my auntie passed away.

Was your uncle a Greek citizen?

LarkDescending · 07/02/2019 16:32

@Beebee8 Sorry to say that even a cliff-edge Brexit won't be sufficient to keep a Greek creditor at bay forever - though depending on how things pan out politically they may have to jump through more hoops to enforce a Greek judgment here (as for current non-EU judgments such as US ones) compared to the current streamlined procedure under the Brussels Regulation.

Coyoacan · 07/02/2019 16:35

At least they have a means of renouncing it. Inherited debt is one of the causes of slavery.

Juells · 07/02/2019 16:36

That's unreal! Smacks of those families in India that are held in perpetual bondage, with the debt never going away because they're being charged for housing and food. Similar things used to happen to coalminers in the US AFAICR, hence the song "I owe my soul to the company store".

Most people would be expecting to be left a legacy, not a debt :(

Original poster

Beebee8 · 07/02/2019 16:36

Lark I see, well there goes that!

BadBear sorry about your auntie. Yes he was. I have cousins there who have already renounced it, and I think it then falls to my aunt to do the same.

I am also panicked that any future children I have will have to deal with this too (or rather I will on their behalf)

OP posts:

Booboostwo · 07/02/2019 16:40

There are endless tax lawyers in Greece, it’s the only profession left, and allmost all will speak English. The best thing to do is to employ one of them to navigate this for you. Don’t be surprised if this involves endless bureaucracy (long suffering Greek person here).

BadBear · 07/02/2019 16:48

Surprisingly, It's a very straightforward process given how complicated the law can be about inheritance and debt. Long story short my aunt had taken out secured loans so anyone inheriting her property would have to deal with the creditors. She was the daughter of my grandad's brother (Greek families, I know!) but even me and and my mum had to fill in an official form for devolution of inheritance.

I just visited a notary when I was visiting who filled in the form for me, I signed it and paid something like 50euros . They then processed it through the relevant authority. You should be able to provide them with all the information (ID, proof of signature) via email. The easiest and quickest option is to find a local notary who will do it on your behalf. It's best to pay a small fee now than having to deal with the bureaucracy over there if something does go wrong.

Original poster

Beebee8 · 07/02/2019 17:15

BadBear is your mum a relative to your aunt by blood? This is another issue, we don't know if this applies to my mum who was long separated from my father (uncles brother) but not divorced.

My dad passed 8 years ago and there was no English speaking notary on the island so I had someone translate for me at the time of sorting out the relevant paperwork. My fear of going over there now with nobody to help is that I won't get anywhere with a local lawyer and will have wasted money and time off work

OP posts:

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 07/02/2019 17:17

If you renounce are you renouncing the entire inheritance?

I assume that most people pay the debt using the inheritance and keep any left over but that only works if there is enough to pay any debt.

Original poster

Beebee8 · 07/02/2019 17:23

Ginky the debt is significantly more than the value of his house, which is also being seized from my aunt.

OP posts:

Missingstreetlife · 07/02/2019 17:26

There is a large Greek Cypriot community in green lanes, London if that's any help

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 07/02/2019 19:21

That's what I thought to be honest.

Iv no useful advice but I wish you the best of luck finding an easy way to renounce the debt!

Booboostwo · 07/02/2019 19:27

BadBear it is illegal for a Greek notary to accept a signature over email, you have to be there in person to sign the papers and a massive ledger they have that records all the signatures they have ever witnessed.

However, there are Greek notaries in London who will witness your signature and get the whole thing authorized at the embassy.

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