My stepmother passed away in Arizona with assets in Germany. Never having been to Germany, and not knowing the first thing about German processes, bank processes in Germany, or the language, Steffen at WF Frank & Partner and Estate Planning Lawyers (WF Frank) was recommended to me.

Immediately, I felt comfortable working with Steffen. From the beginning, I advised him that I had no idea what to do, didn't speak the language, and had only limited knowledge of the finances involved.

He investigated my case, identified accounts in question, carefully explained what was needed, provided me with translated documents and explained how they fit into the process. This process, for example, included requiring I make a trip to the American Consulate for Germany and being approved as an executor by having 20 pages read to me in German. As usual, Seffen prepared me for this meeting by providing the entire text in English with explanations where needed. Just one example of many, of his sensitivity to my situation.

Most important was his integrity and proactiveness in handling the accounts of my stepmother. I had little idea what or where her accounts were located. He investigated and found the accounts, provided full documentation for each account and began the process of transferring the funding.

COVID threw a wrench in the process in many ways, including all parties in the process (financial institution, government, and WF Frank). However, Seffen kept me advised of the process, responded quickly and completely to my emails, and proactively did everything possible to move the ball forward in a heavily backed up system.

In the end, all the financial activity was completed just as we requested and in good order. All actions and accounts were documented in detail, his communications were always timely and addressed each request fully, he was proactive where necessary, and an effective guide throughout the process to its completion.

If I had to do anything with the German legal, financial, or government processes, which I now know would involve going through a labyrinth of offices, regulations, and approvals, l would go straight to Steffen, knowing I will be treated respectfully and with integrity.

Thank you, Steffen, for a job well done.

Based on two separate recommendations, I sought out Mr. Jan-Hendrik Frank at WF Frank & Partner for handling all aspects of inheritance of my mother’s U.S. estate, including IRA retirement and 529 funds, while residing in Germany. Mr Frank provided critical advice, pinpointing problematic aspects and proposing solutions, which he then put into motion to achieve an optimal outcome. I am indebted to Mr. Frank and his team for their tremendous help and can highly recommend them for cross-border estate matters, especially those involving U.S. funds. 

Mr. Steffen Leithold is an outstanding Attorney who goes above and beyond for his Clients.

My Family trusted him for his strength to achieve and follow up the legal matters in or out of Court, for his confidence and combined experience both in local and international law.

We recommend our Attorney Leithold, he is honest, creative, brilliant professional with genuine approach and certainly will treat you not just a case but as a human being with dignity and its own life story.

Over the course of a year Mr. Frank worked with me and the German authorities to clarify my mother's estate tax situation.  Although technically the authorities could claim that my mother's estate was taxable under German law because she died in Germany, Mr. Frank's expertise and diligent analysis of our situation revealed that taxation of the estate was limited to the United States.
Mr. Frank's services are what one would expect from a professional with whom one shares confidential, sensitive family information in a difficult and stressful time.  He has great capacity for listening and empathy, and responds to the client's needs with respect, efficiency and effectiveness.  His relaxed manner, his integrity and his keeping his agreements make him what Jewish people in the U.S. would call a "Mensch."
I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Frank and his team to anyone who needs help with international estate issues.

Absolutely fantastic. They helped my mother in fluent English with an inheritance difficulty from start to finish.They were timely with their responses and sympathetic to my elderly mother. We highly recommend them.

Following the death of my parents within a few months of each other, certain complications had arisen regarding their estate.

I contacted several lawyers in Berlin and Veit Klinger from WF Frank and Partners responded within 24hrs. His advice was clear, concise, determined and thorough.

Throughout the whole process, which was quite lengthy, he did not deviate from the advice he gave and pursued that path with dogged determination.

He always responded to my emails and kept me informed of ongoing events.

The services of WF Frank and Partners are worth the money in every sense of the word, which in my opinion was not expensive.

Trevor Herrington
Glasgow. Scotland.

I cannot recommend WF Frank & Partner highly enough. I used this Company to deal with my cousin's probate as I live in the UK and he lived in Germany. They dealt with all correspondence in a friendly, professional and very efficient way making which was initially a very daunting task, very straight forward for me. If you need any help with probate this is the Company to use as their knowledge is vast and extensive and they only have your best interests at heart.

Got my question answered within 24h. Excellent and very efficient service

Our question was answered perfectly on the same day.