Inheritance documents and will preparation in Japan
Start by understanding your family situation and the documents you need.
YellZeal assists with gathering inheritance documents, preparing an estate division agreement based on terms already agreed by the heirs, and preparing to make a will. We review your situation and explain our scope of work and when another qualified professional is needed.
Help with the next step
You need to gather documents about the heirs or the estate.
The heirs have agreed on a division of the estate and need it recorded in writing.
You would like to prepare a will.
A foreign national or an heir living abroad is involved, and you need to check document requirements.
What we can help with
We confirm the work involved before you decide to engage the office.
Gathering and organizing Japanese family register records and other family relationship documents
Reviewing estate documents and preparing an estate division agreement based on the heirs’ agreed terms
Preparation support for a handwritten will or a will made by a Japanese notary
Checking documents and submission requirements when foreign nationals or overseas heirs are involved
For professional assistance with disputes or negotiation of conflicting interests between heirs, consult a lawyer. For assistance with real estate registration, consult a judicial scrivener; for inheritance tax advice and filings, consult a tax accountant. For family court procedures, a lawyer can provide representation; a judicial scrivener may prepare court documents within their professional scope.
When more than one country is involved
We start with the nationalities and addresses of the deceased and the heirs, family relationships, any will, and the countries where assets are located. Living in Japan does not, by itself, mean that Japanese inheritance law applies.
Under Japan’s choice-of-law rules, succession is generally governed by the deceased’s national law. Whether foreign conflict-of-law rules refer the matter back to Japanese law, the formal validity of a will, and procedures for overseas assets may need separate review.
Signature certificates, notarization, apostilles and other authentication requirements depend on the nationality, the document’s country of origin and the receiving institution. Check that institution’s requirements before arranging certificates or translations.
Professional fees and other costs
See our published inheritance and will fee schedule. Listed professional fees include Japanese consumption tax. Government fees, certificate costs, postage, travel and other out-of-pocket expenses are additional.
Conditions and additional fees may depend on the estate value, the number of heirs and assets, and the documents and procedures involved. Where foreign documents are needed, we confirm the work and costs before you engage the office.
Inheritance and will feesWe explain the consultation scope and fee when arranging an appointment.
Start with what you know
Tell us your relationship to the deceased, the family situation, whether there is a will, and what assets and documents you know about. For cross-border matters, include the relevant nationalities, addresses and countries where assets are held. You do not need to have every document ready before contacting us.
Renouncing an inheritance, registration and tax filings may have deadlines. Please mention any approaching deadline, debts or disagreement between heirs in your first enquiry, so that the appropriate professional or office can be consulted promptly.
Tell us what you need
Explain your concerns, plans and any deadlines you are aware of.
Review the proposed work
Check our scope, fees and procedures that require another professional.
Prepare the documents
We gather or review materials and prepare documents according to the agreed scope.
Questions before contacting us
What if the heirs have not reached an agreement?
We first check whether documents are missing or whether there is a dispute over the division. A gyoseishoshi cannot represent heirs in dispute negotiations. Please consult a lawyer where there is a dispute.
Can I enquire if an heir lives abroad?
Yes. Required certificates depend on nationality, residence and the receiving institution. The documents used for a domestic case may not be sufficient.
Can I enquire before deciding to make a will?
Yes. We can review your wishes and family and asset information, then explain the documents, scope of support and fees before you decide.
Yusuke Yoshida, Gyoseishoshi
Representative of YellZeal. Administrative scrivener registration number: 22130594.
3874-1 Haneo, Namegawa-machi, Hiki-gun, Saitama, Japan.
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