For Turkish citizens living abroad, handling legal matters in Turkey can be challenging due to distance, time constraints, and unfamiliar procedures. Fortunately, Turkish law allows most legal transactions to be carried out through a power of attorney, enabling expats to manage their affairs in Turkey without frequent travel.

This guide explains how legal procedures can be conducted via power of attorney, which transactions are possible, and what expats should pay attention to.

What Is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes another person—usually a lawyer—to act on your behalf. In Turkey, powers of attorney are commonly used by expats to handle court cases, property transactions, inheritance matters, and administrative procedures.

The scope of authority must be clearly defined. A general power of attorney may not be sufficient for certain transactions, such as selling property or filing a lawsuit.

Where Can Expats Issue a Power of Attorney?

Turkish citizens living abroad can issue a power of attorney at:

• Turkish consulates

• Turkish embassies

Consular powers of attorney have the same legal validity as those issued by notaries in Turkey.

Which Legal Procedures Can Be Handled via Power of Attorney?

Most legal and administrative procedures in Turkey can be carried out through a properly drafted power of attorney, including:

• Filing and managing court cases

• Divorce and family law proceedings

• Inheritance and probate matters

• Property purchase and sale

• Title deed transactions

• Tax and inheritance declarations

• Enforcement and debt collection proceedings

This allows expats to remain abroad while their legal matters are handled professionally in Turkey.

Special Powers of Attorney

Certain transactions require special authority, explicitly stated in the power of attorney. These include:

• Selling or purchasing real estate

• Waiving rights

• Settling disputes

• Receiving payments

Failure to include specific powers may result in rejection by courts or public authorities.

Common Mistakes Made by Expats

One of the most frequent mistakes is issuing an incomplete or incorrectly worded power of attorney. This often leads to delays and additional costs. Other common issues include:

• Granting overly broad authority without legal advice

• Using outdated or invalid documents

• Appointing non-professionals instead of licensed attorneys

Legal guidance during the drafting stage helps avoid these problems.

Can Legal Matters Be Fully Managed Remotely?

In many cases, yes. Court hearings, property transactions, and inheritance procedures can often be completed without the client’s physical presence. However, some exceptional cases may still require personal attendance, depending on the nature of the transaction.

Security and Trust Considerations

Granting power of attorney involves a high level of trust. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to appoint a licensed attorney bound by professional and ethical obligations.

Conclusion

Using a power of attorney is one of the most effective ways for expats to manage legal matters in Turkey. With proper legal drafting and professional representation, most procedures can be completed efficiently and securely without traveling.