Q27: Turkish Wills
Q27: Do we need to make a Turkish will if we live in Turkey all the time or does our English will cover our assets here?
A27.1: Turkish wills, are not worth the paper they are printed on. They do not stand up in court. My husband, a dual national died last year, his Turkish will left everything to me. Under Turkish law, children inherit part of their parents estate and the will is totally disregarded. This law also applies to children from previous marriages, so people on their second marriage who don't have children, please take note. My 9 year old even has a share of my car!!! I urge all of you who own property here in Turkey, to sign the petition HERE for the right of the last will and testament to be recognized and upheld. --Karen
A27.2: I have been advised that an English Will does not cover anything in Turkey and that it is advisable to take out a Will in Turkey for all assets here. That said, I have had differing views on whether, despite paying a lot of money for such a Will, the Turkish legislation will still prevail which tends to make a nonsense in making the Will. If you get any differing advice I would be interested to hear it. -- Carol