Receiving an Inheritance in Brazil

Remember when we told you that you didn’t just inherit $1 million from a long lost uncle in Brazil? You know, this article here. But what if it’s for real this time? What if a family member leaves you with assets when they pass away?

Assets in Brazil are subject to Brazilian jurisdiction. It makes no difference if the owner was American; it also makes no difference if the owner never resided in Brazil. What matters is the location of the assets.

Similar to what you’d do in the US, you’ll need to start a probate process in Brazil. This requires that someone prepare an inventory of the deceased’s estate (inventário), including both assets and debts. The entire process can happen in court, or in some cases, through an extrajudicial process with a notary.

Before starting, each heir must obtain a Brazilian taxpayer ID number (CPF). Then, all related documents should be gathered, such as the death certificate and proof of relationship and ownership rights. Remember that all documents in English must be notarized, apostilled and translated by a certified translator in Brazil.

Distribution of assets is only possible after payment of estate taxes and issuance of a judicial order or registration of a public deed (Escritura Pública). You can find here the fee schedule for the extrajudicial process.

Receiving an inheritance in Brazil entails numerous steps and a significant amount of paperwork. But don’t give up on your legal rights. Focus on the pros and leave the bureaucratic part to the lawyers.