An article by Majed Kheir (Senior Partner at Kheir Lawyers) | Family Law, Estates, Commercial, Property and Trust Lawyer – 25 Years’ Experience

Many people in our community still have property, family business or estate matters to deal with back in Lebanon. The hard part is often being there in person. Flights, time off work, and weeks away from your family and business all cost money, and the matter may still not be finished when you have to fly home.

A properly prepared Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone you trust in Lebanon, such as a family member, a friend or a lawyer, to act for you while you stay in Australia.

What can your attorney in Lebanon do for you?

Depending on how the Power of Attorney is drafted, your attorney can handle matters such as:

• Probate and deceased estates: dealing with the estate of a family member who has passed away in Lebanon, including inheritance matters and transferring assets into the beneficiaries’ names.
• Selling or buying property: signing contracts, attending the land registry and completing the transfer for you.
• Buying or selling a business: negotiating, signing documents and finalising the sale or purchase.
• Land dealings generally: registering, transferring, subdividing or otherwise dealing with land you own or are entitled to.

The powers you give should match what you actually need done. A document that is too broad can expose you to risk. One that is too narrow, or badly worded, can be rejected by the Lebanese authorities, and then you’re back to square one.

Why getting it right the first time matters

Lebanese government departments, courts and land registries have their own requirements for accepting a Power of Attorney signed overseas. A document prepared in Australia usually has to be:

• drafted in the correct form and language, which is usually Arabic or bilingual Arabic and English
• signed and witnessed properly
• authenticated in Australia and then legalised and stamped by the Lebanese Consulate

If any step is missed, the document can be refused in Lebanon, and fixing it from overseas takes a lot of time and money.

How Kheir Lawyers can help

For over 15 years, Kheir Lawyers has helped clients prepare Powers of Attorney for use in Lebanon. We look after the whole process:

• advising you on what powers you need for your particular matter
• drafting the Power of Attorney to meet the Lebanese Government’s requirements
• arranging proper signing and witnessing
• taking care of the authentication and stamping so the document is formally recognised in Lebanon

We work with clients in both English and Arabic, so you can be confident you understand exactly what you are signing and what authority you are giving.

Speak to us

If you have property, an estate or a business matter in Lebanon that needs attention, contact Kheir Lawyers. We can help you get it done without leaving Australia.