Inheritance law

Inheritance law in Germany – What surviving relatives should know


The loss of a loved one brings not only grief, but often also many legal and organizational questions. German inheritance law regulates what happens to the assets of a deceased person – who inherits, in what order, and under what conditions.


Legal succession

If the deceased did not leave a will, the following applies automatically:statutory successionThis depends on the degree of kinship:

  • First-order heirsChildren and grandchildren
  • Second-order heirsParents, siblings and their descendants
  • Third-order heirsGrandparents, uncles, aunts, etc.

Thespouseor registered life partners inherit in addition to relatives – the exact share depends on the matrimonial property regime (e.g. community of accrued gains).



Will and inheritance contract

Anyone wishing to deviate from the statutory order of inheritance can do so by...testamentor oneInheritance contractThis allows you to do things like:

  • to specifically consider or exclude individual persons,
  • designate a sole heir,
  • to avoid an inheritance community,
  • Make provisions for minor or dependent relatives.

A handwritten will must be entirely handwritten, signed, and dated. Alternatively, it can be notarized.


compulsory portion

Even if a close relative is not mentioned in the will, they may still be entitled to certain benefits.compulsory portionto – this applies in particular to children, spouses and parents of the deceased.


Certificate of inheritance and estate settlement

For many inheritance matters – for example with banks or authorities – heirs need aCertificate of inheritance, which is applied for at the probate court. Also theRejecting an inheritanceThis is possible, for example, in the case of over-indebtedness of the estate.



Our service: Support & Referral


As a funeral home, we are not only there for you during this time of saying goodbye, but also, if desired, we can connect you with experienced lawyers or notaries specializing in inheritance law. In a personal consultation, we will clarify the next steps and provide guidance in what is often a confusing situation.


🏛️ Probate Courts in Berlin

In Berlin, the local courts (Amtsgerichte) are responsible as probate courts for:

  • the official safekeeping and opening of wills and inheritance contracts,
  • the acceptance of declarations of disclaimer of inheritance,
  • the issuance of certificates of inheritance and certificates of executorship,
  • the initiation of estate administration in cases of unknown heirs.

Here are some important probate courts in Berlin:

  • Charlottenburg District Court
  • Address: Amtsgerichtsplatz 1, 14057 Berlin
  • Telephone: (030) 90177-0


  • District Court Mitte – Probate Department
  • Address: Littenstraße 12–17, 10179 Berlin
  • Telephone: (030) 9023-0


  • Lichtenberg District Court
  • Address: Roedeliusplatz 1, 10365 Berlin
  • Telephone: (030) 90253-0



  • Köpenick District Court
  • Address: Mandrellaplatz 6, 12555 Berlin
  • Telephone: (030) 90247-0


Please note that the jurisdiction of the probate courts in Berlin is determined by the deceased's last place of residence.


⚖️ Probate courts in Brandenburg

In Brandenburg, the local courts (Amtsgerichte) are also responsible for probate matters. Jurisdiction is determined by the deceased's last place of residence.

Some important probate courts in Brandenburg are:

  • Potsdam District Court
  • Address: Hegelallee 8, 14467 Potsdam
  • Telephone: (0331) 2017-0


  • Brandenburg an der Havel District Court
  • Address: Magdeburger Straße 51, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel
  • Telephone: (03381) 39-0



For special cases, such as when the deceased did not have their habitual residence in Germany, the Schöneberg District Court in Berlin may be responsible.