Will in Ukraine in 2026: How to Draft, Who Can Make One, and What You Need to Know

A Will — A Reliable Way to Dispose of Your Property

A will is a person's personal directive in the event of their death. This document allows you to determine who will receive your property and in what shares, while also helping to avoid misunderstandings and disputes among heirs.

If no will exists, the inheritance is distributed according to the order of succession established by the Civil Code of Ukraine.

Who Can Make a Will?

The right to make a will belongs to any individual with full civil capacity.

It is important to remember:

• a will must be made exclusively in person;

• execution through a representative is not permitted by law;

• the document must be certified by a notary;

• after certification, information about it is registered in the Inheritance Register.

What Property Can Be Bequeathed?

The testator has the right to dispose of practically any property they own, including:

• an apartment;

• a residential house;

• a land plot;

• a car;

• cash;

• bank deposits;

• corporate rights;

• securities;

• other movable and immovable property.

Property can be bequeathed to one heir or to several persons with defined shares.

Can Property Be Left to Non-Relatives?

Yes.

Ukrainian law allows appointing any individual or legal entity as an heir regardless of family ties.

At the same time, the law provides for categories of persons who have the right to a mandatory share in the inheritance regardless of the will's content. The notary necessarily takes this into account when processing the inheritance.

Can a Will Be Changed or Revoked?

Yes.

The testator has the right at any time to:

• change the will;

• draft a new one;

• completely revoke the previous one.

As a general rule, a new will revokes the previous one to the extent that they contradict each other.

What Documents Are Needed to Make a Will?

To certify a will, the notary typically requires:

• a passport or ID card;

• a taxpayer identification number (RNOKPP).

Documents for the property are not always mandatory, but in many cases, having them helps describe the object as precisely as possible in the text of the will.

Why Is It Better to Make a Will with a Notary?

The notary:

• verifies the testator's identity and civil capacity;

• helps formulate their wishes without ambiguity;

• explains the legal consequences;

• certifies the document in accordance with legal requirements;

• ensures state registration of the information in the Inheritance Register.

Proper notarial execution significantly reduces the risk of future legal disputes among heirs.

What Changed in 2026?

In 2026, the implementation of a modern Inheritance Register management system and the development of e-notary services continue. Registration of wills, amendments to them, and information related to inheritance is carried out in accordance with the new Procedure for Maintaining the Inheritance Register approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Conclusion

A will is one of the most effective ways to protect your wishes and ensure an orderly transfer of property after death.

If you wish to make a will, change an existing document, or get professional inheritance advice, contact our notary office. We will help you properly prepare all necessary documents in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine. Also check out: opening an inheritance case, certificate of inheritance by will and application for acceptance of inheritance.