Representation in contentious probate and trust matters

Mr. Veit Klinger, an German Rechtsanwalt (barrister and solicitor) and specialist inheritance lawyer (Fachanwalt für Erbrecht) and experienced litigator, represents British beneficiaries as well as executors and trustees in contentious probate and trust matters in Germany.

Services

His services include in particular:

• representation in contentious proceedings concerning the granting of a  German certificate of inheritance (Erbschein), German certificate of executorship (Testamentsvollstreckerzeugnis) or European Certificate of Succession (Europäisches Nachlasszeugnis);
• expert opinions on German or foreign inheritance law, e.g. on statutory succession or validity of a foreign Will in Germany;
• expert opinions on the applicable inheritance law (private international law, conflict of laws);
• establishment  of a German equivalent of a UK trust, e.g. extended administration of the estate (Dauertestamentsvollstreckung), subsequent heirship (Vor- und Nacherbschaft), life estate / usufruct (Nießbrauch), if a trust shall be set up with regard to assets in Germany; 
• claiming the compulsory portion/statutory share (Pflichtteil) and/or supplementary claim to the compulsory portion ("clawback");
• challenging a Will, e.g. on the grounds of undue influence (unzulässige Beeinflussung) or lack of mental capacity to make a Will (Testierunfähigkeit);
• claim for restitution after contesting a Will (Testament);
• claim for determination of the heir (Erbe) or the co-heirs (Miterben);
• claim for the protection of the rights of beneficiaries of a German trust-equivalent (e.g. subsequent heir);
• claim for determination of unworthiness to inherit (Erbunwürdigkeit);
• claim for distribution of an interest in an estate or German trust-equivalent. 
• recognition of foreign judgements in Germany;
• dissolution of community of co-heirs (Erbengemeinschaft);
• dismissal/removal of a German executor (Testamentsvollstrecker); and
• injunctions (einsweilige Verfügungen).

We coordinate with our clients' British solicitor/barrister, especially if proceedings are already pending in the UK or if it could be advantageous to file a lawsuit in a UK-court (forum shopping).

In-Person Consultation and Remote Consultation

Mr. Klinger provides in-person consultation in Berlin. Mr. Fletcher provides in-person consultation in Munich. 

Otherwise, we provide advice via remote communication (Zoom, telephone, e-mail). 

Representation throughout Germany

We represent clients in contentous probate and trust matters in all district courts (Landgerichte) and courts of appeal (Berufungsgericht, Oberlandesgericht, Kammergericht) in Germany. Due to our special expertise in international inheritance cases, German courts have repeatedly ruled that our travel costs are reimbursable costs.

District Courts in Germany 

Landgericht Aachen, Landgericht Amberg, Landgericht Ansbach, Landgericht Arnsberg, Landgericht Aschaffenburg, Landgericht Augsburg, Landgericht Aurich, Landgericht Bad Kreuznach, Landgericht Baden-Baden, Landgericht Bamberg, Landgericht Bautzen, Landgericht Bayreuth, Landgericht Berlin, Landgericht Bielefeld, Landgericht Bochum, Landgericht Bonn, Landgericht Braunschweig, Landgericht Bremen, Landgericht Bückeburg, Landgericht Chemnitz, Landgericht Coburg, Landgericht Cottbus, Landgericht Darmstadt, Landgericht Deggendorf, Landgericht Dessau-Roßlau, Landgericht Detmold, Landgericht Dortmund, Landgericht Dresden, Landgericht Duisburg, Landgericht Düsseldorf, Landgericht Ellwangen (Jagst), Landgericht Erfurt, Landgericht Essen, Landgericht Flensburg, Landgericht Frankenthal (Pfalz), Landgericht Frankfurt (Oder), Landgericht Frankfurt am Main, Landgericht Freiburg im Breisgau, Landgericht Fulda, Landgericht Gera, Landgericht Gießen, Landgericht Görlitz, Landgericht Göttingen, Landgericht Hagen, Landgericht Halle, Landgericht Hamburg, Landgericht Hanau, Landgericht Hannover, Landgericht Hechingen, Landgericht Heidelberg, Landgericht Heilbronn, Landgericht Hildesheim, Landgericht Hof/ Saale, Landgericht Ingolstadt, Landgericht Itzehoe, Landgericht Kaiserslautern, Landgericht Karlsruhe, Landgericht Kassel, Landgericht Kempten (Allgäu), Landgericht Kiel, Landgericht Kleve, Landgericht Koblenz, Landgericht Köln, Landgericht Konstanz, Landgericht Krefeld, Landgericht Landau i.d. Pfalz, Landgericht Landshut, Landgericht Leipzig, Landgericht Limburg a.d. Lahn, Landgericht Lübeck, Landgericht Lüneburg, Landgericht Magdeburg, Landgericht Mainz, Landgericht Mannheim, Landgericht Marburg, Landgericht Meiningen, Landgericht Memmingen, Landgericht Mönchengladbach, Landgericht Mosbach, Landgericht Mühlhausen, Landgericht München I, Landgericht München II, Landgericht Münster, Landgericht Neubrandenburg, Landgericht Neuruppin, Landgericht Nürnberg-Fürth, Landgericht Offenburg, Landgericht Oldenburg, Landgericht Osnabrück, Landgericht Paderborn, Landgericht Passau, Landgericht Potsdam, Landgericht Ravensburg, Landgericht Regensburg, Landgericht Rostock, Landgericht Rottweil, Landgericht Saarbrücken, Landgericht Schweinfurt, Landgericht Schwerin, Landgericht Siegen, Landgericht Stade, Landgericht Stendal, Landgericht Stralsund, Landgericht Stuttgart, Landgericht Traunstein, Landgericht Trier, Landgericht Tübingen, Landgericht Ulm, Landgericht Verden (Aller), Landgericht Waldshut-Tiengen, Landgericht Weiden i.d.OPf., Landgericht Wiesbaden, Landgericht Wuppertal, Landgericht Würzburg, Landgericht Zweibrücken, Landgericht Zwickau.