CyprusLiving

I have looked through previous postings on the topic of Cyprus Wills and would appreciate clarification on a few points.

As I understand it:

1. A Cyprus Will is valid so long as it has been witnessed.

2. There is no need to Lodge the Will at the Court.

(We have just been told by a friend who recently attended a talk about Cyprus Wills that the Will has to be Lodged with the Court or it will not be recognised)

Is there such a thing as Registering a Will eg as we register a Tenancy Agreement and an official stamp is placed on it?


Thank you.

amber

This is the reply I have had form a lady who assists professionally with drawing up Cyprus Wills:

1. By Registered I can only deduce he means ‘deposited’ at the Court.

2. ‘Deposited’ for safe keeping and you will get a registration No. for the Will as to where it is stored in the Vault.

Most Cypriot Lawyers, make them selves the ‘Executor’ of the Will, telling you it’s a requirement by Law. Its not and you can be executor of each others Will as well as the Beneficiary. They then do not deposit the Will but keep it in their safe. They know you have to back to them, as they are noted as Executor on the Will and after the death you can hardly sack them !! Upon the Death, the named Executor (lawyer) will both Deposit and Register the Death at the same time. He can do this as after the death as he is Executor.

I always affix the Revenue stamps to the Will upon signing and then we go to the Court to Deposit. As your husband is your executor and vice versa you would then keep the Wills. When the time comes to register the death, that is when you will need the services of a lawyer of your choice.

However If someone did not want to Deposit it would not mean that the will is not valid. It’s been signed a Witnessed and is Legal.

I am still unsure if I have to have a Revenue Stamp put on the document to ensure it is legal, so I have sent her another email and will let you know her reply. (At the moment our Cyprus Wills have been signed and witnessed)

Dear Friend,

Sorry for the delay. I agree with all the above mentioned points. Now, according Revenue Stamp there is no need to do it until the probate procedure starts where you need to deposit it in the District Court and it has to be stamped.

For any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards,
Areti Charidemou

We have just updated our Cyprus Wills and would like to register them at the Court. Please can someone advise of the price of the Revenue Stamp for each Will.

Thank you

I have just been to the Court to find out the price of Revenue Stamps.

You buy the Revenue Stamps in the office on your right as you enter the Court Building (it has a green door).

The stamps you place on your Will cost €18.00. The stamps to go on the Registrar's Book cost €6.00

If you want to lodge your Will at the Court you will be given a brown envelope. After placing your Will inside and sealing it and completing the information on the front you need a witness to your signature. You then take the brown envelope to the Registrar and the entry is completed and stamped.

Have you seen how they store the wills in the Limassol Court? Open shelving & no indication of much physical security or protection against fire! It was only the handwritten Register that was kept secure in a large safe.