FAMILY · PROBATE · ASSETS — BRAZIL AND THE UNITED STATES
Two countries. One law firm.
Probate, divorce, estates and assets in Brazil and the United States. Experienced lawyers licensed in both countries, meeting in person in Brazil and the U.S. — or online, wherever you are, in English or Portuguese.
TEAM
Licensed in Brazil and the U.S.
MEETINGS
In person in Brazil and the U.S. · online
LANGUAGES
English · Português
OFFICES
Orlando · São Paulo · Rio
PROBATE IN BRAZIL AND THE UNITED STATES
Probate in both countries, from start to finish.
We handle Brazilian probate (inventário) — out of court or in court — and U.S. probate, with lawyers licensed in each country. In most cases, no one needs to travel.
i.
Out of court
Handled before a Brazilian notary, it is the fastest route when all heirs agree. Heirs living abroad take part through a power of attorney.
ii.
In court
When heirs disagree or the law requires a court process, with full support through the final distribution.
iii.
Brazil and the U.S.
Assets in both countries: Brazilian probate and U.S. probate, handled in coordination by our team licensed in each country.
QUESTIONS WE HEAR MOST
“My father passed away in Brazil, but I live in the U.S. How does probate work?”
Assets located in Brazil go through Brazilian probate. If all heirs agree, it can be done before a notary; otherwise, in court. You take part through a power of attorney signed at a Brazilian consulate or before a local notary with an apostille. Brazilian law sets two months to open probate, and delays can trigger a penalty on the state inheritance tax (ITCMD) — so it pays to start early.
“My spouse passed away and left property in Brazil. Am I entitled to inherit?”
Generally, yes — your share depends on the marital property regime and who the other heirs are. For assets in Brazil, the Brazilian Constitution protects a Brazilian spouse and children by applying whichever law is more favorable to them. We review your case with the marriage and property documents.
“I inherited a property in Brazil but live in the U.S. Do I need to travel?”
In most cases, no. With a well-drafted power of attorney, we handle probate, the distribution and, if you wish, the sale of the property. We guide you on where to sign, how to get an apostille and when a sworn translation is needed.
“How does inheritance work with assets in both Brazil and the U.S.?”
Each country handles the assets within its borders: Brazilian probate for assets in Brazil and, in the U.S., probate or a trust. Our team works on both fronts, with lawyers licensed in each country, so the decisions stay consistent.
WHAT TO GATHER TO GET STARTED
Death certificate
IDs and Brazilian tax numbers (CPF) of the heirs
Marriage or birth certificates
Property records and account statements
The will, if there is one
Missing something? We start with what you have.
FAMILIES WITH TIES TO BRAZIL
You live in the U.S. Your matters in Brazil come with you.
For Brazilians living in the United States — and for Americans married to Brazilians or with assets in Brazil.
Power of attorney from the U.S.
Signed at a Brazilian consulate or before a local notary with an apostille. We guide the wording, translation and shipping of documents.
In person or online
In person in Orlando, São Paulo and Rio, or by video, in English or Portuguese, on U.S. or Brazil time.
One single firm
Notaries and courts in Brazil and the U.S. side of your matter, handled by our team licensed in each country.
MATTERS WE HANDLE REMOTELY
A parent’s probate in Brazil
Divorce of a marriage celebrated abroad
Registering a U.S. marriage in Brazil
Selling or dividing property in Brazil
Making a U.S. divorce or custody order valid in Brazil
Wills covering assets in more than one country
PRACTICE AREAS
Family, estates and assets. In Brazil and across borders.
Find your situation below. Many cases involve more than one area — so we look after the whole picture, not isolated pieces.
I · INTERNATIONAL FAMILY LAW
“I married in Brazil, moved to the U.S. and have assets in both countries. I’m getting divorced — now what?”
We explain where the divorce should be filed, how the Brazilian marital property regime applies and how to divide assets in each country — with lawyers licensed in Brazil and the U.S.
Divorce between Brazilians and Americans
Including when one or both spouses live outside Brazil, with division of assets in Brazil and coordination of assets abroad.
We married in the U.S., moved to Brazil and are divorcing
Registration of the foreign marriage, divorce and division of assets in Brazil.
Marrying a Brazilian
Registering a marriage celebrated abroad in Brazil, choosing the property regime and prenuptial agreements for binational couples.
Child custody across borders
Custody, visitation, child support, relocation and Hague Convention international child abduction cases.
II · PROBATE AND ESTATES IN BRAZIL AND THE U.S.
Brazilian probate with heirs abroad
Heirs of different nationalities or countries, taking part remotely through a power of attorney.
Death outside Brazil, with assets in Brazil
Probate and distribution of real estate and other assets located in Brazil.
International estate planning and wills
Estate planning for families with assets in more than one country; U.S. trusts and probate handled by our U.S.-licensed team.
III · CROSS-BORDER ASSETS
Dividing assets in international marriages
Assets acquired in Brazil and abroad, with spouses living in different countries.
Property in Brazil owned by foreigners
Buying, selling, dividing and regularizing property, with a CPF and a local representative when required.
U.S. real estate and assets
Auctions, buying, selling and ongoing support for U.S. assets, with U.S.-licensed professionals who speak Portuguese.
Family asset planning
Legal organization of the family’s assets in Brazil, together with lawyers and accountants in the U.S.
IV · CONFLICT OF LAWS
Which country’s law applies to me?
When family, marriage or assets involve more than one country, we explain which law governs each issue.
Foreign judgments recognized in Brazil
Recognition of foreign divorce, custody, support and property division judgments by Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice.
Documents valid in another country
Powers of attorney, apostilles, sworn translations and international legal cooperation.
V · FAMILY LAW AND PROBATE IN BRAZIL
Divorce and division of assets
Uncontested before a notary or in court, with care for a fair division of assets.
Probate in or out of court
Before a notary when heirs agree; in court when needed.
Domestic partnership, marriage and prenups
Choosing the property regime and agreements that give the couple certainty.
Wills and estate planning
To make decisions during your lifetime and avoid disputes among heirs.
OUR APPROACH
Prevent whenever possible. Litigate when necessary.
Plan
Prenups, wills, estate planning and organizing assets before a dispute arises.
Negotiate
Divorce, custody and settlement agreements built with care, preserving relationships and saving time.
Litigate
When agreement is not possible, firm advocacy for your rights and your children.
THE FIRM
Experienced lawyers licensed in Brazil and the United States, working together on your case.
Each part of your case goes to the lawyer licensed for it: Brazilian Bar (OAB) lawyers handle Brazilian law, and U.S.-licensed attorneys handle U.S. law. You deal with one firm, and we coordinate the rest.
Lawyers in Brazil
Admitted to the Brazilian Bar (OAB), practicing in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and nationwide: Brazilian notaries, courts and agencies.
Brazilian lawyers in the U.S.
Admitted to the Brazilian Bar and based in the United States, close to clients who live here — same time zone, same reality.
U.S.-licensed attorneys
Licensed in the United States, they handle the U.S. side directly: divorce and custody in U.S. courts, probate, trusts and real estate.
FLORIDA FAMILY LAW
Florida family law matters handled by an attorney licensed in Florida.
OFFICES
In person in Brazil and the U.S. Online wherever you are.
In-person meetings by appointment and video calls in your time zone.
Orlando
Florida, United States
São Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ARTICLES AND GUIDES
Clear information before any decision.
PROBATE
Brazilian probate while living in the U.S.: how it works
Powers of attorney, apostilles, deadlines and notary vs. court.
Read the guide →DIVORCE
Is a U.S. divorce valid in Brazil?
When a notary registration is enough and when court recognition is required.
Read the guide →INHERITANCE
Can a foreigner inherit property in Brazil?
Foreign spouses and children, property regimes and the applicable law.
Read the guide →HOW IT WORKS
From first contact to a resolved case.
I
First contact
Through the form, WhatsApp or online booking. We run a conflict-of-interest check.
II
Consultation
In person in Brazil or the U.S., or by video. We review your situation and documents.
III
Written proposal
Steps, documents, estimated timeline and fees — before you commit to anything.
IV
Ongoing updates
Engagement agreement signed electronically and updates at every stage, in Brazil and the U.S.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
We married in the U.S. Do we need to register the marriage to divorce in Brazil?
As a rule, a marriage celebrated abroad must be registered in Brazil to have effect there. We review the documents and recommend the quickest path to divorce and division of assets.
I live in the U.S. Do I need to go to Brazil?
In most cases, no. Documents can be signed at a Brazilian consulate or before a U.S. notary with an apostille, and meetings are online or in person in Orlando.
My divorce was granted in the U.S. Is it valid in Brazil?
It depends on what it covers. A simple uncontested divorce can, as a rule, be registered directly with a Brazilian registry office. If the decree also covers property, custody or support, it must be recognized by Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice. We tell you which path applies.
How long does Brazilian probate take?
It depends on the route (notary or court), the documents and whether the heirs agree. In the consultation we walk you through the steps and give a realistic estimate.
I’m not Brazilian and own property in Brazil. What should I know?
Foreigners can own property in Brazil, with a CPF and, in some cases, a local representative; rural land has its own rules. We guide the purchase, sale, division or inheritance of these assets.
Do you handle cases in U.S. courts?
Yes, through the U.S.-licensed attorneys on our team. Each lawyer practices only where he or she is licensed.
How are fees set?
After the consultation, you receive a written proposal with the scope of work and fees, before you hire us.
CONTACT US
Let’s talk about your family.
Pick a day and time in our calendar, shown in your time zone, or message us on WhatsApp. Or fill out the contact form and we will reach out.
United States: +1 689 529 2194 · Email: info@gramon.com.br