Private Law

Inheritance Law

Professional advice in all inheritance-law matters

Inheritance Law - Forward-Looking Estate Planning and Competent Estate Administration

Inheritance law is one of the most complex areas of civil law and touches on both the emotional and financial aspects of human life. Thoughtful estate planning is far more than simply drafting a will - it involves the strategic design of asset succession, taking into account the available legal structuring options, individual family circumstances and the personal wishes of the testator. At the same time, administering an estate requires sound legal knowledge and practical experience in dealing with the authorities, courts and co-heirs involved.

Without a testamentary disposition, statutory succession under the BGB (German Civil Code) applies, which often does not reflect the actual intentions of the deceased and can lead to unwanted outcomes. Particularly in cases involving more complex family structures, blended families, business ownership or substantial assets, individual estate planning is indispensable. The aim is not only to ensure a fair distribution of assets, but also to provide legally watertight succession, to avoid undesirable communities of heirs and to safeguard the financial security of surviving family members.

In drawing up wills, we advise you on every drafting option - from simple individual wills through joint spousal wills to complex inheritance contracts across several generations. We develop legally watertight solutions that respect your wishes while at the same time minimising the burden on your heirs. We also take into account the special considerations of business succession, real-estate assets and international cases.

In inheritance disputes, we represent heirs as well as those entitled to a compulsory portion, with the aim of reaching a fair and legally watertight solution. We accompany challenges to wills, enforce compulsory-portion claims or defend against unjustified demands. Initially, we focus on out-of-court settlements, but we are always prepared to vigorously represent your interests in lengthy court proceedings if required.

Administering an estate requires not only legal expertise but also practical experience in dealing with tax offices, land-registry offices and other authorities. We handle the entire administration, from applying for the certificate of inheritance through the division of communities of heirs to the legal optimisation of estate distribution.

Our lawyer Julia Gerstein-Thole has many years of experience in inheritance law and specialises in complex succession planning and guiding clients through estate disputes. She combines sound legal knowledge with an empathetic understanding of the often emotional aspects of inheritance matters and develops practical solutions that are fair to everyone involved.

Drafting Wills and Succession Planning

Individual wills and joint spousal wills
Inheritance contracts and gift agreements
Bespoke succession planning
Business succession
Powers of attorney and advance directives

Estate Administration

Certificate of inheritance and opening of the will
Estate administration and division
Community of heirs and division
Legacies and conditions
Liability of the heirs and estate debts

Inheritance Disputes and Court Proceedings

Challenges to wills
Proceedings for disqualification from inheritance
Compulsory-share claims and proceedings
Substitute-inheritance claims and recovery of gifts
Mediation in inheritance matters

Business Succession

Structuring business succession
Family companies and foundations
Valuation of company shares
Business-succession arrangements
Succession planning for freelancers

International Inheritance Law

Cross-border succession cases
European Succession Regulation
Foreign wills and their recognition
Cross-border estate disputes
Choice of law and jurisdiction agreements

Your contact

Julia Gerstein-Thole

Specialist Lawyer in Family Law

Call us Send us an e-mail

Book a consultation

Key Inheritance Law Deadlines

Disclaimer of inheritance: 6 weeks after learning of the inheritance

Compulsory portion claim: 3 years from knowledge of the inheritance event

Contesting a will: 1 year from knowledge of the grounds for contestation

Certificate of inheritance: Application filed with the probate court