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Legacy (Vermächtnis)

A legacy (Vermächtnis) is a gift of property by Will or testament to a person without the intention to name such person an heir (Erbe) See § 1939 BGB. The legatee (Vermächtnisnehmer) must claim fulfillment of the legacy from the heir or, if there is an executor with the power to fulfill a legacy, from the executor. 

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News

01/08/2026 Update German Inheritance Tax 2026

08/03/2024 German Growth Opportunities Act: A Legacy and other claims to transfer domestic assets are subject to German Inheritance Taxbility

08/02/2024 Germany: Amendment to the Rules on the Taxation of Lifetime Benefits from Foreign tax-priviledged Retirement Assets

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© J-H. Frank, Fachanwalt Erbrecht 2026
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