Family law and family real estate solutions
Family is a base of society and state and therefore we always stand up for family. Legal office LM LAW OFFICE provide following services:
1. Latvian child adoption
Legal office LM LAW OFFICE will help to prepare all the necessary documents in order to start adoption process in Latvia and will assist until adoption process will be approved by the court of Latvia. Accordingly will represent client’s interests in the Latvian Orphan’s Court, as well as in other state authorities if needed. Legal office LM LAW OFFICE will help to gain the status of a foster family in order to obtain possibility to take care of the child faster and until all process is approved by the court.
General rules on adoption in Latvia
Adoption foreign adopters can apply for Ministry of Welfare will accept and evaluate unlimited number of those foreign adopters’ dossiers expressing a wish to adopt in Latvia:
- three and more children of one family (siblings);
- children above age of 9;
- children who are seriously ill or with remarkable health (mental and/or physical development) problems;
- children to whom finding foreign adopters has not succeeded (according to applications of adopters already submitted in the Ministry of Welfare) and on whom the Ministry of Welfare has provided information in separate information summary lists of adoptable children for adoption agencies;
- children, who are adoptable to foreign countries, without age and health limitations, if this wish is expressed by a person or spouses habitually residing abroad and from whom at least one has a citizenship of Latvia or status of a non-citizen of Latvia. In Latvia adopters shall be represented by an adoption institution accredited to work in Latvia or by the Central Authority of country where adopters habitually reside.
Children adoptable abroad
Child is adoptable abroad only if it is not possible to ensure the care and education in the family in Latvia and the Orphan’s Court has made such decision. Foreigners, who do not have permanent residence permit, or citizens of Republic of Latvia living abroad can adopt:
- child of spouse;
- child from guardianship, in case adopters are child’s relatives;
- child residing in the foster family or in the orphanage, if it has not been possible to ensure the necessary care and education in the family in Latvia.
Costs for adoption in Latvia
State fees – ~200 EUR
Legal cost – 3 000 EUR (legal assistance until adoption is approved by the court).
2. Inheritance in Latvia
Inheritance matters are regulated by the Civil Law Act in Latvia. According to this legislation, holding a property or any other asset means having the total power over the respective asset including leaving it to which the owner wants after their passing away. The Latvian Civil Law divides the assets that can be inherited into: tangible, intangible. Tangible assets are also divided into movable and immovable goods. Intangible assets are usually dealt with by the Commercial Law as these types of goods imply amounts of money, pledges or shares in companies.
Accepting an inheritance in Latvia
The Civil Law establishes that an heir can either accept or decline an inheritance. The inherited assets can be accepted in person or through a substitute by granting a power of attorney. However, in order to receive an inheritance, the heir or heirs must be alive at the time of the succession. The Latvian inheritance legislation establishes three types of heirs: intestacy, testamentary, contractual heirs. Latvian legislation on inheritance enabled two forms of accepting an estate:
- expressing the intent to accept the inheritance by signing a document drafted and certified by a Latvian public notary,
- taking possession of the estate.
Most of the times, an estate is inherited based on a testament. In case the inheritor did not leave a will, the law establishes how the estate will be divided. The division of assets in case of succession in absence of a testament is done as it follows:
- if the deceased was not married and did not have children, his siblings will inherit them,
- if the deceased was not married but had children, the children will inherit them,
- if the deceased was married, the spouse will inherit the estate,
- if the deceased was married and had children, the estate will be divided among them.
If you need any assistance on inheritance matters, you can contact legal office LM LAW OFFICE we will ensure you full legal support.
Costs on inheritance matters
State fee – ~ 20-200 EUR
Notary fees – ~ 50 – 500 EUR
Translation and legalization of Power of Attorney (if required) – 40 – 100 EUR
Legal costs – 1) parties can agree on fixed price for particular legal service, 2) parties can agree on fixed price for particular legal service on monthly base, 3) 50 EUR-80 EUR/h.
3. Family real estate cases
Legal office LM LAW OFFICE will help to settle issues related to the family property – the property-sharing, co-owners, land disputes, litigation, property management, monitoring, etc. The company’s leading specialists have more than 10 years’ experience in handling real estate issues, so we will offer you the best solution for the property issue arranging.
Cost on family real estate cases
State fee – ~ 20-200 EUR
Notary fees – ~ 50 – 500 EUR
Translation and legalization of Power of Attorney (if required) – 40 – 100 EUR
Legal costs – 1) parties can agree on fixed price for particular legal service, 2) parties can agree on fixed price for particular legal service on monthly base, 3) 50 EUR-80 EUR/h.