Inheritance, estates and wills

Permission to acquire and possess weapons and ammunition Issued to purchasers as a result of inheritance

If you have inherited weapons and/or ammunition, you must apply for a permit for continued possession of the weapons from the relevant weapons authority within one month.

Notarize the waiver of inheritance

If you do not wish to accept an inheritance, you must declare the renunciation of the inheritance to a notary, have it notarized and submit it to the probate court.

Waiver of the inheritance Minutes

If you inherit and waive this inheritance, you must declare this to the probate court.

Estate administration order

If someone owes you money and this person dies, you can apply for a guardianship of the estate if there is a need for security or the identity of the heir is unknown.

Special official custody of a disposition upon death (e.g. will)

A disposition of property upon death, for example a will, is placed in special official safekeeping at the local court during the person's lifetime. The custody data is transmitted electronically by the local court or notary's office to the Central Register of Wills and registered there.

Withdrawal/return of a disposition of property upon death from special official custody

Would you like to have your disposition of property upon death (e.g. will) or an inheritance contract held in the official custody of a notary returned? Then you can apply to the depositary to have it returned.

Revocation of a certificate of sole inheritance

If it subsequently transpires that the heir named in the certificate of inheritance is not the real heir, the certificate of inheritance can be revoked.

Applying for a certificate of sole inheritance due to legal succession

If you are the sole heir according to statutory succession, you can apply to the probate court for a sole heir certificate to prove your status as an heir.

Applying for a certificate of sole inheritance on the basis of a will

If you have accepted your inheritance, you will often need proof of your status as an heir. If you are the sole heir according to a will or inheritance contract, you can apply for a sole heir certificate.

Applying for a restricted certificate of sole inheritance

If you are the sole heir, you will often need a certificate of inheritance as proof of your inheritance rights. You can have this restricted to the estate in Germany if the estate is located both in Germany and abroad.

Applying for a joint certificate of inheritance

The probate court can issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance.

Confiscation of a joint certificate of inheritance

If it subsequently transpires that the heirs listed on the certificate of inheritance are not the real heirs, the certificate of inheritance can be revoked.

Applying for a joint certificate of inheritance in accordance with intestate succession

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance.

Applying for a joint certificate of inheritance on the basis of a will

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each testamentary co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance.

Applying for a limited joint certificate of inheritance

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance. This can be restricted in terms of subject matter if parts of the estate are located abroad.

Applying for a joint certificate of partial inheritance

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance.

Applying for a Community Minimum Certificate of Succession

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint minimum certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint minimum certificate of inheritance.

Apply for a joint partial certificate of inheritance on the basis of intestate succession

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance.

Applying for a joint partial certificate of inheritance on the basis of a will

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several testamentary heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance.

Apply for a limited joint certificate of partial inheritance

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance. This can be restricted in terms of subject matter if parts of the estate are located abroad.

Apply for a joint certificate of inheritance as a pre- or post-heir

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance. If there is a prior and subsequent inheritance, this is indicated on the certificate of inheritance.

Apply for a limited joint certificate of inheritance as a pre- or post-heir

A joint certificate of inheritance can be issued for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance. It shows whether there is a prior and subsequent inheritance. If parts of the estate are located abroad, it can be restricted in terms of subject matter.

Apply for a joint partial certificate of inheritance as a pre- or post-heir

The probate court can also issue a so-called joint certificate of inheritance for several heirs. Each co-heir can apply for a joint certificate of inheritance. If there is a prior and subsequent inheritance, this is indicated on the certificate of inheritance.

Apply for a limited joint certificate of partial inheritance as a pre- or post-heir

A joint certificate of inheritance can also be issued for several heirs; each co-heir can apply for one. If there is a prior and subsequent inheritance, the certificate of inheritance will indicate this. It can be restricted in terms of subject matter if parts of the estate are located abroad.

Inheritance rights and obligations in another Member State

You can find more detailed information about inheritance rights and obligations in another Member State here.