What Should I Do? Legal Roadmap

My employer dismissed me without showing a valid reason — what should I do?

First, keep written proof of the dismissal date and stated reason (termination notice, SGK exit form). Depending on your seniority, you may be entitled to severance and notice pay; to seek reinstatement, you must apply to a mediator within one month of the notice.

I left my job but was not paid severance/notice pay — what should I do?

First calculate how much you are owed, then send the employer a written payment demand (a notarised notice carries more evidentiary weight). If unpaid, a case may be filed with the labour court after mediation.

I won my reinstatement case but the employer did not reinstate me — what should I do?

You must apply to the employer in writing within 10 working days of the decision becoming final. If the employer does not reinstate you within one month, you can claim wages for time spent unemployed and reinstatement failure compensation.

I want to make up insurance days missed due to military service or childbirth — what should I do?

You can add these periods to your insured service by paying contributions to SGK (a service buyback). Applying by petition to your local Social Security Centre is sufficient.

I had a workplace accident — can I claim compensation from my employer?

For losses not covered by SGK, you may claim differential compensation if the employer's breach of occupational health and safety rules and fault can be shown. It matters whether the accident was reported to SGK within 3 working days.

My tenant hasn't paid rent for months — what should I do?

You can send a written notice (via a notary or the enforcement office) demanding payment within 30 days; if full payment is not made in that time, an eviction case can be filed.

My landlord wants to raise the rent far more than expected — what should I do?

Unless the contract says otherwise, the rent increase cannot exceed the statutory cap (the consumer price index rate). If the parties cannot agree, either may ask the court to determine the market rent.

The contractor I gave my land to isn't delivering the units on time — what should I do?

If the delivery date in the flat-for-land contract has passed, options include terminating the contract, claiming delay damages, or demanding specific performance (completion of the building).

My co-owner sold their share in our jointly owned property to someone else without telling me — what should I do?

If a co-owner sells their share to a third party, the other co-owners may exercise a right of pre-emption by suing the buyer within three months of being notified of the sale through a notary and, in any event, within one year of the sale (two years for sales made before 25 December 2025). The co-owner exercising the right deposits the market value set by the judge and the land registry costs within the period the court allows (Civil Code Arts. 733-734).

I want to know how much title deed fee I'll pay when buying/selling property — what should I do?

The title deed fee is calculated on whichever is higher — the sale price or the property tax value — at the rate set separately for buyer and seller.

I have a cheque/promissory note that bounced or went unpaid — what should I do?

You can use the expedited enforcement procedure specific to negotiable instruments; this route offers shorter objection periods and stronger recovery prospects than a general enforcement proceeding.

My customer/business partner isn't paying an invoice or account balance — what should I do?

First send a written demand or reconciliation request; if unpaid, you may initiate enforcement proceedings or file a debt claim. For some commercial receivables, mediation is mandatory before filing suit.

I'm about to start enforcement proceedings against someone and want to know the likely costs — what should I do?

Enforcement costs consist of an application fee, an advance fee, and a collection fee that varies with the stage at which the debt is paid; the debtor bears most of these costs.

I want to end my business partnership (ordinary partnership) — what should I do?

An ordinary partnership can be ended and wound up by mutual agreement, by notice of termination for just cause, or through litigation; partnership assets and debts are allocated during the winding-up process.

I want to appeal an unfavourable court decision and need to know my deadline — what should I do?

Appeal deadlines run from the date the decision is served, and missing them makes the decision final; you can calculate the deadline based on the service date.

A relative of mine has passed away and I need a certificate of inheritance — what should I do?

In simple cases with complete civil registry records, a notary can issue the certificate; in disputed or incomplete-record cases, it must be obtained from a civil court of peace.

A sibling or heir had the deceased transfer assets before death in a way that excludes us — what should I do?

Sham sale transactions made by the deceased to deprive an heir of their inheritance can be annulled through a title deed cancellation action; this action is not subject to a limitation period.

I want to know how much my inheritance share is — what should I do?

The inheritance share is divided according to statutory ratios based on the number of surviving spouse and other heirs (children, parents, siblings) and their order of priority.

The inherited house/car can't be sold because one heir won't sign — what should I do?

If one heir refuses to consent to a sale, the other heirs must first attempt mandatory mediation; if no agreement is reached, they can bring a partition (termination of co-ownership) action to have the asset sold or divided through the court.

I'm going through a divorce and worry my spouse will dispose of assets — what should I do?

You can request a precautionary injunction that temporarily blocks the sale or transfer of the asset; this provides protection until the case is resolved.

In my divorce, I want to know whether I'm entitled to a share of assets my spouse acquired during the marriage — what should I do?

You may be entitled to half the residual value of assets acquired during the marriage; personal assets (owned before marriage or inherited) are excluded from this calculation.

My spouse transferred company shares to someone else during our divorce — what should I do?

If the transfer was made to reduce your participation claim, you can request that its value still be included when the marital property regime is liquidated.

We're divorcing and still have a mortgage on our home — how will we divide it? What should I do?

Ownership generally belongs to whoever the property is registered to, but if the other spouse contributed to mortgage payments, that contribution can be factored into the participation claim.

I want to estimate my claim in the liquidation of the marital property regime — what should I do?

An approximate calculation can be made based on the current value of acquired assets at liquidation, taking half of the residual value.

The product I bought turned out to be defective — what should I do?

You may choose one of: rescission, price reduction, free repair, or replacement with a defect-free equivalent; the choice is yours.

The used car I bought turned out to be defective — what should I do?

Within two years of taking delivery, you can assert your elective remedies for the defect (rescission, price reduction, repair, replacement) against the seller.

I want to know when a relative in prison will be conditionally released — what should I do?

The conditional release date is calculated by applying statutory ratios based on the length of the sentence and the applicable execution regime.

I want to know what fine my company might face for a personal data violation — what should I do?

Depending on the type of violation (duty to inform, data security, VERBİS registration, etc.), an administrative fine within statutorily set minimum-maximum ranges may apply.

I was injured in a traffic accident and want to know how much compensation I might receive — what should I do?

If there is permanent incapacity, an approximate loss-of-earning-capacity compensation can be estimated based on your income, age, degree of incapacity, and fault.

I've been defrauded and want to know where and how to file a complaint — what should I do?

You can file a complaint with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in writing, electronically via the e-Devlet/UYAP Citizen Portal, or in person with the police or gendarmerie; if money was withdrawn from your account without your knowledge, you should also object to your bank at the same time.

I injured someone in a traffic accident (or was injured in one) — will there be a criminal case? What should I do?

Negligent injury is generally subject to a victim complaint and mediation; however, in cases of conscious negligence — such as drunk or reckless driving — no complaint is required and the prosecutor opens an investigation automatically.