Support for New Zealand executors/administrator of estates in Germany

We advise and assist clients acting as executors or trustees of estates or trusts in New Zealand with assets in Germany and/or having German heirs. Our services include:

• Obtaining recognition of validity from German probate courts for NZ wills and the issuance of German Certificate of executorship (Testamentsvollstreckerzeugnis) for NZ executors
• Assistance with obtaining German Certificate of Heirship (Erbschein) for heirs
• Providing legal representation for heirs, beneficiaries, executors, administrators and trustees of estate) in connection with obtaining assets held by German banks, insurance companies and financial institutions, passing both through or outside of probate
• Assistance with the preparation and filing of German inheritance tax returns (Erbschaftsteuererklärung) for NZ estates, heirs and beneficiaries
• Representing NZ executors, administrators, heirs, beneficiaries and trustees before German probate courts and taxation authorities, including obtaining tax clearance for the release of German assets passing to NZ heirs and beneficiaries and defending against claims of unwarranted German estate, inheritance and gift taxes
• Consulting regarding the structuring and timing of distributions from NZ trusts by NZ trustees to German resident beneficiaries to minimize any German estate, inheritance and gift tax liabilities