Support for Executors and Trustees in Germany

Services

We assist executors or administrators and/or trustees from abroad (e.g. U.S.A, Singapore, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong) with regard to German law.of German estates. The services provided include, for example;

• representation in proceedings to obtain a German certificate of inheritance or German certificate of executorship;
• representation towards German Inheritance and Gift Tax Authorities;
• communication with German financial institutions, e.g. banks, savings banks, credit unions or insurance companies; 
• advice on the tax liabilities of the executor or administrator in Germany;
• advice on the tax liabilities of beneficiaries in Germany; 
• obtaining a tax clearance certficate (Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung) for the release of German assets; 
• defending against claims German forced heirship (Pflichtteil) / statutory share claims; 
• consultation regarding the structuring and timing of distributions from foreign trusts by foreign trustees to German resident beneficiaries to minimize any German inheritance and gift tax liabilities. 

Representation throughout Germany

We represent clients in courts throughout Germany. In the case of representation in a probate court (responsible e.g. for certificate of inheritance proceedings), travelling to the probate court is generally not necessary, as correspondence in probate matters is usually exclusively electronic/postal and a personal appearance is almost never necessary.

Client communication

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