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Specialized legal assistance for heirs who have inherited assets in Germany – delivered in English, from a German specialist lawyer.
Inheriting from a relative who lived in Germany can be overwhelming – particularly when you live in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, or another English-speaking country. German inheritance law is fundamentally different from common-law jurisdictions, and the procedures are formal, document-heavy, and conducted entirely in German. We bridge that gap.
You live in the United States, Canada, Australia, or another English-speaking country — and you have just learned that you are an heir to a German estate. Perhaps you inherited a house, a bank account, stocks, or other assets in Germany. Maybe you do not speak German, have never dealt with German authorities, and have no idea where to start.
You are not alone. Every year, thousands of people living abroad inherit assets in Germany. The German legal system is thorough — but it is also complex, document-heavy, and conducted almost entirely in German.
Gottschalk Rechtsanwälte is your specialist law firm for exactly this situation. Dr. Michael Gottschalk is a certified specialist lawyer (Specialist lawyer) for inheritance law in Düsseldorf, Germany, with deep expertise in cross-border and international estates. We advise and represent heirs from the USA, Canada, Australia, and across the English-speaking world — and we communicate with you in English throughout the entire process.
Inheriting assets in a foreign country is rarely straightforward, but Germany has specific legal requirements that can catch overseas heirs off guard:
German probate does not happen automatically. Unlike some other legal systems, Germany does not have a probate court that centrally administers estates. As an heir, you must actively assert your rights — and within strict time limits.
You need a Certificate of Inheritance. German banks, land registries, and public authorities will typically not release assets or transfer property without an official German Certificate of Inheritance issued by a German probate court (Probate Court). Obtaining one requires submitting documents in German, often including birth certificates, death certificates, and proof of family relationships — all with certified translations.
Time matters. Under German law, you have only six weeks from the moment you learn of your inheritance to formally reject it — if you do not act, you are automatically deemed to have accepted the estate, including any debts it may carry. If you are living abroad at the time, this deadline extends to six months. Missing it can have serious financial consequences.
German inheritance tax may apply. Germany levies its own inheritance tax (Inheritance tax), independent of any estate or inheritance taxes in your home country. Depending on your relationship to the deceased and the value of the estate, this can be significant — but exemptions and allowances also exist. Careful planning and timely filing can make a material difference.
Real estate requires separate legal steps. If the estate includes property in Germany, ownership cannot simply be transferred by presenting a foreign will. The country registry (Land Registry Office) requires specific German documentation, and in many cases a German Certificate of Inheritance or a notarized deed.
Co-heirs add complexity. German intestate succession often produces a community of heirs (Community of heirs) — a jointly liable group with shared rights and obligations. Navigating a community of heirs, reaching agreement, and ultimately dissolving it requires legal guidance.
Gottschalk Rechtsanwälte handles every step of the German probate and estate administration process on your behalf — so you do not need to travel to Germany, deal with German bureaucracy in a foreign language, or navigate an unfamiliar legal system alone.
Our services for overseas heirs include:
We review the will, any notarial instruments, and the applicable succession law to determine exactly what you are entitled to, and whether German law, the law of your home country, or a combination of both applies to the estate.
Armed with the Certificate of Inheritance, we contact German banks, brokers, and public authorities to unblock accounts, release funds, and initiate transfers.
We prepare and submit all required documentation to the German probate court on your behalf and guide you through any translation and apostille requirements for documents issued in your home country.
If the estate includes property, we coordinate with German notaries and the land registry to ensure a legally valid transfer of title.
We identify and document all assets and liabilities forming part of the German estate, including bank accounts, real property, securities, business interests, and personal property.
We identify and document all assets and liabilities forming part of the German estate, including bank accounts, real property, securities, business interests, and personal property.
We identify and document all assets and liabilities forming part of the German estate, including bank accounts, real property, securities, business interests, and personal property.
If you have been partially or fully disinherited, you may still be entitled to a statutory minimum share under German law. We assess and, where appropriate, enforce your compulsory portion claim.
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We review your situation, explain your options, and outline the steps involved. This consultation is conducted in English.
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We provide you with a clear checklist of the documents we need and guide you through obtaining certified translations and apostilles where required.
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Once instructed, we handle all communications with German courts, authorities, banks, and other parties. You receive regular updates in English.
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We oversee the distribution of the estate and confirm completion of all legal and administrative steps.
Certified Specialist in Inheritance Law —Dr. Michael Gottschalk holds the title of Specialist lawyer for inheritance law, the highest formal qualification for inheritance law specialists in Germany, requiring both advanced theoretical knowledge and proven practical experience.
Focused exclusively on inheritance law — We do not practice in other areas of law. Inheritance law is our only field — which means our knowledge is deep, current, and comprehensive.
Member of leading professional bodies — We are members of the German-American Lawyers' Association (DAJV), the German Association for International Succession Law (DVEV), and the Working Group on Inheritance Law of the German Bar Association (ARGE Erbrecht). These memberships reflect our commitment to cross-border estate matters specifically.
No higher fees for specialization — Under the German statutory fee structure, instructing a specialist lawyer does not cost more than instructing a general practitioner. We also offer fixed-fee arrangements and hourly-rate agreements tailored to your situation.
Clear communication in English — From the first consultation to the final distribution of assets, we communicate with you clearly, in English, without legal jargon.
Contact Dr. Michael Gottschalk and his team today. We will assess your situation, explain your rights under German law, and outline a clear path forward — in English, from wherever you are.
In most cases, no. With a properly executed power of attorney, we can represent you in all German proceedings without you needing to be present in Germany. We will advise you on the exact documentation required.
If the deceased left no will, the German rules of intestate succession (statutory succession) apply. Depending on surviving relatives, these rules determine who inherits and in what proportions. We will explain your position under German intestacy law in plain English.
This depends on several factors, including where the deceased was habitually resident at the time of death. For citizens of non-EU countries such as the USA, Canada, and Australia, German private international law (IPR) and any applicable bilateral treaties determine which succession law governs the estate. We advise on this question as part of our initial assessment.
A German will not automatically confer the right to deal with German assets. You will typically need either a German Certificate of Inheritance or, where applicable, a European Certificate of Succession. We obtain these documents for you through the German probate court.
Germany imposes inheritance tax regardless of where the heir is resident. The tax-free allowance for children is €400,000 and for other beneficiaries it is significantly lower. Assets above the allowance are taxed on a sliding scale. Your home country may also tax the inheritance, but most jurisdictions provide relief for taxes paid abroad. We advise on the German side and can refer you to qualified advisors in your home country.
This varies considerably depending on the size and complexity of the estate, the number of heirs, and the workload of the local probate court. Simple cases can be resolved within a few months; more complex estates involving real property, multiple heirs, or disputes may take longer. We will give you a realistic timeline after reviewing your specific situation.
Contact us to arrange an initial consultation by phone or video call. We will review your situation, answer your most pressing questions, and explain the next steps — clearly, in English, without obligation.
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