Rositsa
Lawyer · Sofia, Bulgaria
- 99 cases handled · 4 in this service
- 14+ years in practice
- Speaks: Bulgarian, English
- M.L. Law, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
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5.00(1 review)
Making a will in Bulgaria, a last will and testament for a home, a flat, land or savings in the country, is the subject of this page. In Bulgarian the will is the zaveshtanie (завещание). Most foreigners choose the notarialno zaveshtanie (нотариално завещание), the notarial will made before a notary (notarius); the samorachno zaveshtanie (саморъчно завещание) is the handwritten, or holographic, will. Bulgarian law also keeps a zapazena chast (запазена част), a reserved share, for the closest family. The page is for owners of property in Bulgaria, expats who live there and anyone with assets in two countries. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Make a last Will & Testament”.
Foreign owners of a holiday apartment or a village house, people who have moved to Bulgaria, couples who want the surviving partner to keep the home, and families with children from different relationships. A will made in another country may still be valid in Bulgaria, but heirs often find a separate Bulgarian will for the Bulgarian property easier to use at the notary and at the property register.
Bulgaria applies the EU succession rules, so a foreigner can usually choose in the will the law of the country of nationality. Whether that choice helps, and how it sits with the reserved share, depends on the family and the assets.
A will cannot take away the reserved share of a spouse, children or, where there are no descendants, parents, and gifts made during life can be counted against it. Non-EU citizens face limits on owning land in Bulgaria, which can affect what a non-EU heir receives under a will. Two wills in two countries have to be worded so that the later one does not cancel the earlier one by accident.
A lawyer explains which law applies, prepares the wording with the notary, checks the will against the reserved share and against an earlier will made abroad, and keeps the property papers in order for the heirs. What happens after a death is described under inheritance in Bulgaria; a will that heirs dispute is covered by contesting a will. A property can also pass during life, see property title transfer.
Often yes, if it meets the form rules of the place where it was made or of the testator's nationality. Heirs may still need translations, an apostille and extra steps, which a Bulgarian will for the Bulgarian property can make simpler.
Only within the part of the estate that is not reserved. Children and, in some situations, parents keep a reserved share that a will cannot remove.
Not to be valid, but a handwritten will kept at home can be lost or questioned. Handing it to a notary in a sealed envelope keeps it safe and on record.
Yes. Wills handed to a notary are recorded, which lets heirs find out after a death whether a will exists.
Yes. A later will can revoke an earlier one in whole or in part, in either of the two forms.
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Lawyer · Sofia, Bulgaria
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In 2021 my wife and I moved from America to Spain, where we found out that Spanish law required each of us to have a will if one of us died, so the survivor could reach the cash in our Spanish bank accounts. In 2025 we contacted the lawyer to get this done. She speaks good English and carried out the task expertly and efficiently, even joining us at the notary's office to finalize the paperwork. We were so pleased that we also hired her for our Spanish taxes for 2025. They were done perfectly too, and we even received a refund. I would definitely recommend her for any need under Spanish law. The fees were very reasonable and well earned.
She was always very helpful, and I would recommend her.
Professional advice sorted out all my requests; I am very satisfied.
The lawyer was exemplary. A matter concerning a will needed immediate attention during my stay in the country, and he handled the legal review, the notarial consultation and the procurement of witnesses fast, reliably and efficiently, with professional expertise. When you need legal advice in Portugal, he is the person to go to.
The lawyer in Oviedo gave us great service, with a professional and friendly manner. His English is excellent, and he planned everything well, including the help with the notary. Thank you!
The lawyer has helped my family for many years, always fantastic and consistent, with good communication throughout. She is very professional and knowledgeable, and always on hand to answer questions and offer good advice. I would recommend her; she is first class.
What a service! The lawyer is by far the most professional, thorough and helpful lawyer or solicitor I have dealt with, and my international affairs mean I have worked with plenty. When we wanted our wills drawn up, we did not want them under Spanish law. He saw to it that they were prepared and secured under the laws of our home countries and yet fully valid here in Gran Canaria under Spanish law. My wife is 78 and needed to sell her apartment while keeping the right to live in it for the rest of her life (at least 30 years), at an agreed lower rent and with usufruct rights, so that she would get cash from the sale without losing her home. He sorted that out too. He arranged everything, the notary included, and provided us with English translations of the Spanish contract. I cannot stress enough that he was available at any time by phone, email or WhatsApp. He even went through everything with us at the notary's office, and whenever something was unclear or not in our favour, he had it redrafted again and again. His integrity, professionalism and commitment to his clients are the best I have ever met. If you need a lawyer in Gran Canaria who speaks excellent English and keeps cool under the heaviest pressure, he is the one to have beside you. Simply the best is what you get, as the song says. If you fear he will be expensive, there is no need: I paid more in the UK and Germany, among other countries where I needed legal representation. Both my British wife and I have hired him several times by now, and we will always keep returning to him, whatever else comes up. This review is long, I know, but I could say much more about his superb work. If you are not yet convinced, there is nothing more I can say. Until next time, to a legal-knowledge computer on two legs, and a wonderful one!
She was very professional and knowledgeable about the law, and also kind and empathetic when we discussed my options on a very personal point. The assistance was excellent and I would recommend her without hesitation.
The lawyer was personal and professional while writing and filing my Will. She is friendly, and she could advise me on the complexities of a Will in Portugal and on the legal requirements, which differ from those of Australia, where I am a national.
Friendly, patient and easy to understand.
The lawyer handled my request very well, and his English was perfect. I am completely satisfied.
I needed a Will covering my Spanish assets and so returned to the lawyer who had already done an excellent job when we bought our property. She was just as professional this time: she listened to what I needed and then drafted a Will that fitted it. Within days it was all finished, an amazing job. I would gladly use these services again, and without any hesitation.