Curator of the Estate (Nachlasspfleger)

A curator of the estate (Nachlasspfleger) is appointed by the probate court (Nachlassgericht) if the heir is unknown or if it is uncertain whether he has accepted the inheritance (§ 1960 BGB). The curator shall ensure that the estate is not wasted before such estate lawfully comes into possession of the heir or the co-heirs. If it is difficult to find the heirs, the curator may use the services of an heir searcher in order to find the missing heirs.