Inheritance, Probate & Wills · Germany
Find Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyers in Germany who understand your cross-border concerns.
Planning a will, administering an estate or contesting a compulsory-share claim in Germany involves strict statutory requirements. Our matching service connects you with specialised German lawyers who handle succession, probate and estate matters. We help you find the right legal guidance quickly and free of charge.
- Free, no-obligation lawyer matching
- Verified German inheritance specialists
- Clear statutory fees and costs explained
Free of charge · No obligation
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Trusted guidance for German succession matters
Why work with an Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyer in Germany?
German succession law is codified in the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch and combines strict formalities with important family-protection rules such as the Pflichtteil. Whether you are drafting a will, handling probate, renouncing an inheritance within the six-week disclaimer period or resolving an estate dispute, the advice of a qualified German lawyer can make the difference. Our platform matches you with Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyers in Germany who regularly assist clients with estate planning, forced-heirship calculations, notarial coordination and representation in contentious matters. We do not give legal advice: we simply connect you with a lawyer who handles your specific German succession issue, so you can act with clarity and confidence.
Germany at a glance
How inheritance, probate and wills work in Germany
Germany has a civil-law system based on the BGB and ZPO, with local and regional courts as the main first-instance civil venues. Inheritance matters frequently involve notarial deeds, land-register entries and strict deadlines such as the six-week disclaimer period. Below are the key points you and your lawyer will typically consider.
Civil-law court structure
Ordinary civil jurisdiction in Germany is divided into local courts (Amtsgerichte), regional courts (Landgerichte), higher regional courts (Oberlandesgerichte) and the Federal Court of Justice (BGH). Local courts hear smaller civil claims, while regional courts hear larger claims and appeals. Inheritance disputes are handled within this ordinary court system, and procedural rules are primarily federal.
Lawyer representation rules
Parties before regional courts and higher regional courts must be represented by a lawyer, and before the Federal Court of Justice only specially admitted lawyers may appear. In many family-law matters before the local court, representation is also mandatory. For inheritance disputes that reach these courts, a lawyer helps you comply with procedural requirements and present your case effectively.
Compulsory share (Pflichtteil)
Close relatives excluded from succession by a will may claim a compulsory share under Section 2303 BGB: descendants, the surviving spouse or registered partner, and, where there are no descendants, the parents. The Pflichtteil is a monetary claim equal to half the value of the person’s intestate share, so a testator cannot fully disinherit these relatives.
Notarial and land-register formalities
Contracts for the transfer or acquisition of land must be notarised under Section 311b(1) BGB; otherwise they are void. Ownership of real property passes only through a notarial agreement (Auflassung) and subsequent registration in the Grundbuch kept by the local court. The register enjoys public faith, and a good-faith purchaser is protected.
Costs and legal aid
Court fees follow the Court Fees Act (GKG) and are based on the amount in dispute; the losing party generally pays court fees and the opponent’s statutory lawyer fees. Lawyer fees are set by the RVG and are predictable. Legal aid is available for eligible parties who cannot afford costs, covering court and lawyer fees subject to an income test.
Disclaimer deadline
If you do not wish to accept an inheritance, you must disclaim it within six weeks. The deadline runs from the moment you learn of the accrual and of the reason for your appointment. Acting before the deadline is critical, and a German inheritance lawyer can help prepare and submit the required declaration.
Key time limit — Inheritance, Probate & Wills
Succession (disclaimer of inheritance) — 6 weeks. You must disclaim an unwanted inheritance within six weeks of learning that it has accrued to you and of the reason for your appointment.
The data in this section comes from official German legal sources and the European e-Justice portal, linked above (accessed 2025).
Common concerns
What makes German inheritance law challenging?
Many clients face these issues when dealing with a German estate.
Unclear forced-heirship rules
German law protects close relatives through the Pflichtteil, even against a will. Without specialist advice, you may underestimate these monetary claims or fail to calculate them correctly.
Strict formalities and deadlines
A missed six-week disclaimer period or an unnotarised property agreement can create lasting financial consequences. A German inheritance lawyer helps you avoid procedural traps and act before deadlines expire.
Cross-border estate complexity
When assets span Germany and another country, succession can involve competing legal systems. A lawyer experienced in German estates can coordinate the notary, land register and tax aspects.
Why use our matching service
Get the right German inheritance lawyer without the guesswork
We make it simple to find professional help for your estate matter.
Free, prompt matching
Tell us about your inheritance issue and we connect you with a suitable German lawyer, usually within 24–48 hours. There is no cost to get matched and no obligation to instruct.
Local legal knowledge
Each lawyer in our network is familiar with German civil procedure, the BGB and the regional court landscape, so your estate matter is handled with current, practical insight.
Clear cost expectations
German lawyer and court fees follow statutory scales. Your lawyer can explain the likely fee range under the RVG and GKG, and whether legal aid may apply.
Multilingual coordination
Many German inheritance lawyers work with English-speaking clients and can liaise with notaries, the Grundbuchamt and foreign counsel. This reduces confusion and delay.
Serving clients across Europe
Common jurisdictions involved in German estates
Our network also helps when inheritance matters touch these jurisdictions.
Frequently asked questions
Answers about German inheritance, probate and wills
What do Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyers in Germany actually do?
They advise on testamentary planning, estate administration, compulsory-share claims and inheritance disputes under the German Civil Code. They help you meet formal requirements, deal with notaries and the land register, and represent you if litigation is necessary. We match you with a lawyer who handles your specific German succession matter.
Can I be fully disinherited under German law?
No. Close relatives such as descendants, a surviving spouse or registered partner, and sometimes parents retain a compulsory share (Pflichtteil) equal to half the value of their intestate share. They receive a monetary claim against the heirs even if a will excludes them.
How long do I have to refuse an inheritance in Germany?
You generally have six weeks to disclaim an inheritance after learning that it has accrued to you and of the reason for your appointment. Missing this deadline means you are treated as having accepted. A German inheritance lawyer can help you meet it.
Are German lawyers required for inheritance court proceedings?
Before regional courts and higher regional courts you must be represented by a lawyer, and only specially admitted lawyers may appear before the Federal Court of Justice. In many inheritance disputes that go beyond the local court, legal representation is therefore essential.
What costs can I expect in a German probate matter?
Court fees are set under the GKG and depend on the amount in dispute, while lawyer fees follow the statutory RVG. The losing party generally reimburses the winner’s statutory fees. Legal aid may cover costs if you qualify, subject to an income test.
Do inheritance contracts involving German real estate need a notary?
Yes. Contracts by which a party undertakes to transfer or acquire land must be recorded by a notary under Section 311b BGB. Ownership passes only after a notarial agreement and registration in the Grundbuch, which enjoys public faith.
Ready to find the right lawyer?
Get matched with Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyers in Germany
Tell us about your German succession matter. We will connect you with a specialised lawyer for free, usually within 24–48 hours. No obligation, no hidden costs.