Representation in proceedings to obtain a German certificate of inheritance or German certificate of executorship

Our German-British team (German specialist inheritance lawyers and solicitor for England and Wales) for German-British inheritance matters advises and represents British executors, trustees and beneficiaries in non-contentious (and contentious) proceedings to obtain a German certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) or German certificate executorship (Testamentsvollstreckerzeugnis) /executor certificate.

Services

Our services include, in particular,

• advice on proper venue and jurisdiction;
• opening of the Will (Testamentseröffnung) in Germany;
• advice on the recognition of a British Will in Germany;
• advice on the effects of a British trust on assets in Germany;
• advice on the recognition of a British executor as an executor (Testamentsvollstrecker) in Germany;
• advice on the requirement of a German certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) or German certificate executorship (Testamentsvollstreckerzeugnis);
• advice on the rquirement of shares in a partnership (Personengesellschaft), e.g. KG, GmbH & Co. KG, GbR, or corporation (Kapitalgesellschaft), e.g. GmbH, AG in the estate;
• drafting of an application for a German certificate of inheritance or German certificate of executorship even where British law applies;
• corresponding with German diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate) in the UK (London, Edinburgh) regarding the notarization of an application for a German certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) or German certificate executorship (Testamentsvollstreckerzeugnis).
• applying for permission to make an Affirmation in lieu of an oath (eidesstattliche Versicherung) when notarizing the application before a UK notary;
• representation before the German probate court (Nachlassgericht); 
• preparation of a waiver and/or consent to avoid delays resulting from service of the petition abroad; 
• appeals against the rejection of an application for a German certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) or a German certificate executorship (Testamentsvollstreckerzeugnis).

After the certificate of inheritance or the certificate of executorship has been granted, we support our clients in collecting the assets. This includes, for example,

• updating the land register (Grundbuch);
• entering the assets in the commercial register and the list of shareholders (Gesellschafterliste);
• obtaining a tax clearance certificate (Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung);
• preparation and filing of the German inheritance tax return (Erbschaftsteuererklärung);
• declarations under the Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz, GewG);
• corresponding with banks, building societies and credit unions.

Client communication

We generally communicate with our clients remotely, i.e. by telephone, e-mail and video link (Zoom, Teams). We also offer personal appointments in Germany at our offices in Berlin, Hamburg (limited) and Munich (limited services).

Representation throughout Germany

We represent clients in German-British estate in probate courts throughout Germany as correspondence in probate matters is usually exclusively electronic/postal and a personal appearance almost never necessary. 

Probate Courts in Berlin and Brandenburg

Probate Courts in Berlin

Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, Amtsgericht Köpenick, Amtsgericht Kreuzberg, Amtsgericht Lichtenberg, Amtsgericht Mitte, Amtsgericht Neukölln, Amtsgericht Pankow, Amtsgericht Schöneberg, Amtsgericht Spandau, Amtsgericht Tiergarten, Amtsgericht Wedding.

Probate Courts in Brandenburg

Amtsgericht Bad Freienwalde (Oder), Amtsgericht Bernau bei Berlin, Amtsgericht Eberswalde, Amtsgericht Frankfurt(Oder), Amtsgericht Fürstenwalde/Spree, Amtsgericht Strausberg, Amtsgericht Neuruppin, Amtsgericht Oranienburg, Amtsgericht Perleberg, Amtsgericht Prenzlau, Amtsgericht Schwedt/Oder, Amtsgericht Zehdenick, Amtsgericht Brandenburg an der Havel, Amtsgericht Luckenwalde, Amtsgericht Nauen, Amtsgericht Potsdam, Amtsgericht Rathenow, Amtsgericht Zossen.

Probate Courts in Hamburg

Amtsgericht Hamburg-Altona, Amtsgericht Hamburg-Barmbek, Amtsgericht Hamburg-Bergedorf, Amtsgericht Hamburg-Blankenese, Amtsgericht Hamburg-Harburg, Amtsgericht Hamburg-Mitte, Amtsgericht Hamburg-St. Georg, Amtsgericht Hamburg-Wandsbek, Amtsgericht Hamburg (für Registerangelegenheiten). 

Probate Courts in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen)

Amtsgerichte Bad Gandersheim, Braunschweig, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Goslar, Helmstedt, Salzgitter, Seesen, Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg, Amtsgericht Duderstadt, Einbeck, Göttingen, Hann, Münden, Herzberg am Harz, Northeim, Osterode am Harz,  Amtsgericht Bückeburg, Rinteln, Stadthagen, annover | Amtsgerichte Burgwedel, Hameln, Neustadt am Rübenberge, Springe, Wennigsen (Deister), Amtsgericht Alfeld, Burgdorf, Elze, Gifhorn, Hildesheim , Holzminden, Lehrte, Peine, Lüneburg, Amtsgericht Celle, Dannenberg (Elbe), Soltau, Uelzen, Winsen, Stade, Bremervörde. Buxtehude, Cuxhaven , Geestland, Otterndorf. Stade, Tostedt, Zeven, Verden, Amtsgericht Achim, Diepholz, Nienburg, Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Rotenburg (Wümme), Stolzenau,  Sulingen, Syke, Verden, Walsrode, Amtsgericht Aurich, Emden, Leer, Norden, Wittmund, Amtsgericht Brake, Cloppenburg, Delmenhorst, Jever, Nordenham, Oldenburg, Varel, Vechta, Westerstede, Wildeshausen, Wilhelmshaven, Amtsgericht Bad Iburg, Bersenbrück, Lingen, Meppen, Nordhorn, Osnabrück, Papenburg