Representation of U.S. clients in contentious probate matters in Germany
Services
We represent U.S. beneficiaries as well as executors and trustees in contentious probate and trust matters in Germany. Our services include in particular
- Representation in contentious proceedings concerning the granting of a German certificate of inheritance (Erbschein), German certificate executorship (Testamentsvollstreckerzeugnis) or European Certificate of Succession (Europäisches Nachlasszeugnis);
- Expert opinions on German or foreign inheritance law, e.g. on statutory succession or validity as regards to form of a foreign Will in Germany;
- Expert opinions on the applicable inheritance law (private international law, conflict of laws);
- Action for payment of the compulsory portion/forced share (Pflichtteil) and/or supplementary claim to the compulsory portion ("clawback");
- Will contest, e.g. on the grounds of Undue Influence (Sittenwidrigkeit) or mental incapacity to make a Will (Testierunfähigkeit);
- Action for restitution after contesting a Will (Testament);
- Action for determination of the heir (Erbe) or the co-heirs (Miterben);
- Action for determination of unworthiness to inherit (Erbunwürdigkeit);
- Action for distribution of an interest in an estate or trust;
- Recognition of foreign judgements in Germany;
- Dissolution of community of co-heirs (Erbengemeinschaft);
- Dismissal/removal of a German executor (Testamentsvollstrecker);
- Injunctions (einsweilige Verfügungen).
we coordinate with our clients' U.S. attorney, especially if proceedings are already pending abroad or if it could be advantageous to file a lawsuit in a U.S. court (forum shopping).
In-Person Consultation and Remote Consultation
We provide In-Person consultation in Berlin and 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.
Do You have any Questions?
We look forward to assisting you. For the sake of simplicity and efficiency, we request that you use our contact form for your inquiry and describe the matter as clearly as possible. In addition, you can include relevant attachments. After submitting your inquiry, we will contact you either by telephone or e-mail within 2 working days. If we can assist, we will suggest a time and date for an initial consultation. Of course, you can also contact this firm or a particular attorney directly to make an appointment for a personal consultation or telephone consultation (find contact details here). Please be advised that no attorney-client relationship is created by sending us an email or filling out this contact form. For information on our fees, please click here.
Upon request, we offer consultation via Zoom. For general information on how to join an instant meeting through an email invite, please visit the Zoom website.
News
- Germany: Amendment to the Rules on the Taxation of Lifetime Benefits from Foreign tax-priviledged Retirement Assets
- Tax Court of Münster: Distributions upon the Termination of a Trust may be Subject to German Income Tax
- BFH: The Treaty does not prevent Germany from imposing Inheritance Tax on the Acquisition of a U.S. citizen beneficiary resident of Germany even if he has stayed no longer than 10 years in Germany
- German Federal Fiscal Court Ruling on Gift Tax triggered by Distributions from a Foreign Trust
- German Federal Fiscal Court: Assets titled in Trust to which the Grantor has reserved comprehensive Powers are to be considered owned by him for German Inheritance and Gift Tax Purposes
- Decicison of the German Federal Fiscal Court on the Taxation of Distributions from a 401(k) to Beneficiary in Germany