Antalya · Coastal District

Finike Lawyer

Legal support in Finike for foreign residents, landowners and seasonal workers

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Finike is a coastal district on the Teke peninsula. It borders Kumluca to the east, Elmalı to the north, Kaş to the north-west and Demre to the west. The ancient city of Arykanda in the Arif neighbourhood, the Lycian city of Limyra and Suluin Cave, about 1 km from the town centre, lie within the district, and the Lycian Way passes through it.

Agriculture and tourism are Finike’s main livelihoods. Farming centres on early vegetables and citrus; the marina in the harbour supports yacht tourism, and tourism has been growing in recent years. Akçaalan, Arif, Hasyurt, İskele, Kale, Sahilkent, Turunçova and Yeşilyurt are among its 26 neighbourhoods.

The legal topics we see most often from Finike are estate planning by foreign residents who own homes here, inherited citrus groves and seasonal work. For foreign owners, the key rule is that Turkish law applies to Turkish real estate on death (Private Int. Law art. 20). Ozturk Law Office serves clients in Finike in English and Turkish, from our office in Muratpaşa and through online meetings.

Key Legal Issues in Finike

Retiring to Finike

Finike’s marina and quiet coast attract foreign residents, many of whom own homes here. Planning how that property will pass on death is one of the most common questions we receive.

Inheritance lawyer ›

Citrus Groves and Inheritance

Citrus and early vegetables are Finike’s main crops. Groves inherited jointly by several heirs often lead to partition and title deed disputes.

Co-ownership and partition ›

Seasonal Work

Seasonal farm and tourism work brings questions about contracts, unregistered work and severance.

Employment lawyer ›

Serious Criminal Cases in Elmalı

Finike has its own courthouse; for cases within the jurisdiction of the high criminal court, the district falls under the Elmalı High Criminal Court.

Criminal defence lawyer ›

Wills and Estate Planning for Foreign Residents in Finike

If you own a home in Finike, your estate may be governed by two legal systems. These rules help you plan:

  • Two laws, one estate: succession is governed by your national law, but Turkish law applies to your real estate in Turkey (Private Int. Law art. 20).
  • Form of a will: a will is valid in form if it follows the law of the place where it was made or the law governing its substance (Private Int. Law art. 7), and also if it follows your national law; capacity is judged by your national law at the time (Private Int. Law art. 20).
  • Turkish wills: wills can be made in official form, by hand or orally (Civil Code art. 531), the oral form only in extraordinary circumstances (Civil Code art. 539); a handwritten will must be entirely handwritten, dated and signed (Civil Code art. 538).
  • Reserved shares: for Turkish property, descendants, parents and the spouse have reserved shares that a will cannot override (Civil Code art. 505, Civil Code art. 506).
  • The spouse’s share: under Turkish law it depends on which relatives survive: one quarter with children, one half with parents (Civil Code art. 499).
  • After death: a will found must be delivered to the civil court of peace at once and is opened within one month (Civil Code art. 595, Civil Code art. 596).

Planning ahead, with the Turkish and home-country parts of the estate considered together, avoids many disputes between heirs later.

Which Courthouse Hears Cases from Finike?

According to the Judicial Directory of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK, May 2024), Finike has its own courthouse; for cases within the jurisdiction of the high criminal court, the district falls under the Elmalı High Criminal Court. Most cases from Finike are therefore heard locally, while serious criminal cases are heard in Elmalı.

Where a particular case must be filed also depends on the type of case. We handle cases from Finike from our office in Muratpaşa, Antalya, and lawyers in Turkey may appear before any court in the country.

Source: Hâkimler ve Savcılar Kurulu, Adli Yargı Rehberi (Mayıs 2024) (official Turkish document). Court organisation may change; the current position is checked before any case is filed.

Our Practice Areas in Finike

Frequently asked questions

Finike: Frequently Asked Questions

A will is valid in form if it follows the law of the place where it was made or the law governing its substance (Private International Law art. 7), and a will made in line with your national law is also valid (art. 20). Its content, however, is assessed with the Turkish rules that apply to Turkish real estate, including reserved shares.

Turkish law applies to real estate in Turkey (Private International Law art. 20), and under Turkish law descendants, parents and the spouse have reserved shares that a will cannot take away (Civil Code arts. 505–506). Heirs whose reserved share is infringed can sue for abatement (art. 560).

Yes. Turkish law recognises wills in official form, in the testator’s own handwriting, and orally (Civil Code art. 531); an oral will is only possible in extraordinary circumstances such as imminent danger of death, when an official or handwritten will cannot be made (art. 539). A handwritten will must be written entirely by hand, dated with the year, month and day, and signed; it may be deposited with a notary or the civil court of peace (art. 538).

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Call us on 0534 340 95 40, visit our office in Muratpaşa, Antalya by appointment, or request an online consultation by video or phone from anywhere in the world.

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