Maria
Lawyer · Corfu, Greece
- 436 cases handled
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek, Russian
- Law, National and Capodistrian University of Athens
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4.96(35 reviews)
Guardianship for Adults (Incapacity & Dementia) in Greece
Guardianship of an adult in Greece is called judicial support, δικαστική συμπαράσταση: a court appoints a person to act for, or together with, an adult who can no longer manage their affairs because of dementia, illness or disability. English-speaking lawyers in Greece prepare the application, represent the family in court and explain what can be arranged in advance and how a foreign guardianship order is recognised.
About Guardianship for Adults (Incapacity & Dementia) in Greece
Guardianship of an adult in Greece is the court-ordered protection of a person who, through dementia, mental illness, a stroke or a disability, can no longer look after their own affairs. The Greek institution is called δικαστική συμπαράσταση, literally judicial support, and the person appointed is the δικαστικός συμπαραστάτης; in English it is also described as adult guardianship, judicial assistance or incapacity proceedings. It is not a power of attorney, and Greece has no equivalent of the British lasting or enduring power of attorney. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Enduring Power of Attorney: Guardianship”. English-speaking lawyers in Greece guide families through the procedure with respect for the person at its centre.
Who comes to this page
- Children or spouses of an elderly person in Greece whose memory or judgement has declined and whose pension, property or medical decisions need a legal representative.
- Families abroad who hold a guardianship or deputyship order from their own court and need it to work in Greece, see enforcement of foreign judgments.
- Parents of an adult child with a disability who are planning for the future.
- People who are still well and want to know what they can arrange in advance, see power of attorney and make a will.
How it works in Greece
The application goes to the court of first instance of the place where the person lives and is heard in a non-contentious procedure. It can be filed by the person concerned, by a spouse, parents or children, or by the public prosecutor, and the court may also act on its own initiative; relatives who are not among these often ask the prosecutor to file. The court orders a medical opinion, hears the person where possible, and chooses the form of support: a full or partial deprivation, where the supporter acts in the person’s place, an assistive form, where the person still acts but with the supporter’s consent, or a combination. It appoints the supporter, normally a close relative, and a supervisory council (εποπτικό συμβούλιο) that oversees important acts; selling the person’s property or accepting an inheritance in their name needs the court’s permission. A temporary supporter can be appointed while the case is pending, and the order can later be changed or lifted.
What to look out for
The procedure takes time and the person’s own wishes and dignity are the starting point of every decision. A Greek notarial power of attorney given while the person was well may not be enough once capacity is lost, and banks react differently to it; the lawyer explains what it can and cannot do. A foreign order does not apply in Greece by itself: it is recognised by a Greek court first, and only then will a consulate or notary let the foreign guardian sign. Family disagreements about who should be appointed are decided by the court on the person’s interest. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What a lawyer does
Explains the forms of support and which one fits, gathers the medical and family documents, drafts and files the application or asks the prosecutor to do so, represents the family at the hearing, obtains the appointment and the permissions needed for property or inheritance matters, and handles the recognition of a foreign order, including where the person’s house has to be sold to pay for care. More about this field: family law in Greece.
Questions and answers
Who can be appointed as supporter in Greece?
Normally a spouse, child or other close relative proposed by the family and accepted by the court; the person’s own preference is taken into account.
Is a medical report required?
Yes. The court relies on medical evidence and may order its own expert.
Can we avoid court with a power of attorney?
Not reliably. A Greek power of attorney presupposes a principal who can still give instructions, and Greece has no lasting power of attorney.
Will Greece accept the deputyship order from my country?
After recognition by a Greek court. Until then Greek banks and notaries will not act on it.
4 lawyers who provide Guardianship for Adults (Incapacity & Dementia) in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Despina
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 251 cases handled
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek
- Law, Athens University of Law
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4.95(12 reviews)
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Anastasia
Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
- 98 cases handled
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: French, English, Greek
- Law, Democritus University of Thrace
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5.00(4 reviews)
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Konstantinos
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 28 cases handled
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- Degree in Law, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
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5.00(1 review)
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Guardianship for Adults (Incapacity & Dementia)
4 registered lawyers provide this service in Greece. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
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Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
What our clients say about our service in Greece
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Within a couple of hours the lawyer efficiently settled a family matter on which we had wasted many months seeking advice elsewhere. She showed real sympathy and her help was as good as it could be, and her English is perfect. I will certainly consult her on other matters, and I would readily recommend her professional services to others.
— Mandy19 Dec 2022 -
Given how difficult our situation was, he was very attentive, professional and understanding, and he found the best solution for us. We are very satisfied with the outcome.
— Amera17 Oct 2023 -
An excellent English-speaking solicitor, informative and helpful the whole way through. I highly recommend him.
— Sam17 Oct 2022 -
The lawyer replied quickly, was very helpful and gave me the information I needed, straight to the point.
— Anna07 Feb 2023 -
Super professional and very helpful, she gave us a great deal of help.
— Igoris03 Jan 2023 -
Very responsive, attentive to detail, with fair fees and flawless English.
— Juan12 Jan 2023 -
She replied extremely fast to my first inquiry, quickly arranged a meeting to go over the details, and answered all my questions. Reaching her by phone or text was easy, she was punctual, and she was fun and personable to talk to as well, with perfect English. After I had struggled for months to get this done on my own, she sorted everything out for me in record time. Anyone trying to navigate Greek bureaucracy should hire her, and I would recommend her.
— Ine06 Aug 2026 -
I am really happy with her. Every time I wrote she answered fast, so I never had to chase her for news of how things were going. She understood what I needed straight away and, with her perfect English, explained the parts I had not followed without making me feel stupid. She was also nice to deal with. The price was fair, and in short she got it done, so I am glad I chose her.
— Antoine03 Jul 2026 -
I cannot thank the lawyer enough for her expertise and dedication in handling my case. She was thorough and persistent and kept up good communication, in perfect English, at all times. She made a very difficult and stressful situation much easier to manage from afar. Extremely professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
— Angelica09 May 2026 -
She is knowledgeable, approachable and very professional, with perfect English. She went over and above to find what I needed.
— Tracey21 Oct 2025 -
I recently worked with a lawyer who managed to get my divorce certificate within the promised timeline, even though the information I first gave was limited. From our very first contact she showed great professionalism and expertise. She was patient and understanding and took me through the process step by step, and her English was perfect, so I never had trouble following. I was truly impressed by her attention to detail and her commitment to my case. I am grateful for her dedication and support at what could have been a stressful time, and I was completely satisfied with the result. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for the outstanding service!
— Yvonne08 Aug 2025 -
The lawyer was welcoming and very knowledgeable in the area where I needed help, and went above and beyond with information and solutions to keep the process as smooth and simple as possible. Her English was flawless, everything was completed promptly, and I could not be happier with my experience.
— Dean02 Jul 2025