Inheritance & wills in Guinea

Code Civil (Loi L/2019/010) applies civil intestacy by default; Muslim citizens (~89% of population) may opt for Maliki faraid via written declaration registered with a notaire.

Wasiyyah ≤ 1/3 in writing before a notaire; explicit Islamic-regime declaration required. Handwritten wills accepted with 2 witnesses + notarial deposit.

Notaire (Chambre des notaires) under the Ministry of Justice; état civil record updated.

2 adult Muslim witnesses (non-beneficiaries), of established integrity.

Collecting authority

Secrétariat Général aux Affaires Religieuses

Tax relief

Donations to assoc reconnues deductible under CGI

Maximum relief

5 % of taxable income

Notes

Voluntary; Maliki dominant.

Civil default; Islamic regime by declaration under the 2019 Code Civil.

Tribunal de Grande Instance issues acte de notoriété; the Direction des domaines follows.

Maliki dominant; Ligue Islamique de Guinée provides scholar guidance and mediates family disputes.

• Declaration of Islamic regime essential — customary practices (Fulani, Malinké) may otherwise prevail.
• Real-estate probate in rural prefectures follows unwritten Fouta-Djallon customary rules — notarise the will BEFORE the death for enforceability.

• Ministère de la Justice
• Secrétariat général des Affaires religieuses
• Ligue Islamique de Guinée

• Is Islamic inheritance (faraid) legally recognised in Guinea?

  Code Civil (Loi L/2019/010) applies civil intestacy by default; Muslim citizens (~89% of population) may opt for Maliki faraid via written declaration registered with a notaire.

• What makes an Islamic will (Wasiyyah) legally valid in Guinea?

  Wasiyyah ≤ 1/3 in writing before a notaire; explicit Islamic-regime declaration required. Handwritten wills accepted with 2 witnesses + notarial deposit.

• Where do I register my will in Guinea?

  Notaire (Chambre des notaires) under the Ministry of Justice; état civil record updated.

• Does Guinea have forced-heirship rules that override an Islamic will?

  Civil default; Islamic regime by declaration under the 2019 Code Civil.

• How does probate work in Guinea?

  Tribunal de Grande Instance issues acte de notoriété; the Direction des domaines follows.

• How many witnesses do I need for a will in Guinea?

  2 adult Muslim witnesses (non-beneficiaries), of established integrity.

• What are the most common Islamic-will pitfalls in Guinea?

  Declaration of Islamic regime essential — customary practices (Fulani, Malinké) may otherwise prevail. Real-estate probate in rural prefectures follows unwritten Fouta-Djallon customary rules — notarise the will BEFORE the death for enforceability.