More debt than legacy: how to renounce an inheritance

Unfortunately, the situation described in the title is more common than one might think. Often, unbeknownst to the heirs, the deceased accumulates debts of all kinds for years, which have not only eroded the entire value of the bequests but also created significant debts that hang like the sword of Damocles over the heads of the designated heirs.

The only solution in these cases? Of course, you must renounce an inheritance!

Here is some useful information regarding the timeframes and procedures for renouncing an inheritance:

Deadlines for renouncing an inheritance

The right to renounce an inheritance expires 10 years from the date of death. This means that, generally speaking, you will have 10 years to make a decision.

If you are in possession of the estate assets (for example, the heir lives in the deceased's home), the deadline for making an inventory is 3 months from the death, and if you do not renounce them within 40 days of the inventory, you are considered a pure and simple heir.

There is also the interrogatory action, with which anyone with an interest (for example, a creditor) can ask the judge to set a shorter deadline within which the heir must decide whether to accept or renounce the inheritance.

The renouncement of the inheritance must be made with a formal declaration. It can be made before a notary or at the registry of the court of the place where the deceased was last domiciled.

How much does it cost to renounce an inheritance?

Contacting a notary naturally entails costs related to the professional fees of the professional himself, while renouncement in court has lower costs, but still involves the payment of stamp duty and registry fees. In this second option, however, it is possible to make mistakes that waste valuable time, also risking not having carried out the procedure correctly.

When should you renounce an inheritance?

It is essential to carefully evaluate the debts and any assets of the deceased, and when the debts far exceed the assets, renouncement is certainly the most prudent choice.

Obviously, to reach this conclusion, it is advisable to obtain the correct documentation, and to do so, it is always advisable to seek the assistance of professionals specialized in the field, usually a lawyer specialized in inheritance law.

The death certificate is obviously the main document from which to begin the actual search and own.

Together with a specialized lawyer, the office of the competent Court is certainly a good ally in obtaining detailed information on the costs and documentation required for the waiver.

Another source of useful information is the website of the Ministry of Justice.

How to properly renounce an inheritance?

You have 10 years to renounce an inheritance, unless you are in actual possession of the estate assets or an interrogatory action is initiated.

Renunciation in Court is a more cheaper than a notary.

Doing it yourself in these cases could create more problems than benefits. Always seek the support of the right professional. In this regard, Agenzia delle Successioni can provide you with the right support with its specialized team.