How do I proceed if the bank wants to unlawfully retain my inheritance?
May 9, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Karl Böhm
Dear lawyer specializing in banking law,
My name is Jenny Schröter and I am facing a difficult situation where I urgently need your help. My grandfather recently passed away and left me an inheritance that is located in my bank account. However, the bank has informed me that they want to withhold the inheritance because they claim that there are still outstanding debts of my grandfather.
I strongly believe that there are no outstanding debts and that the inheritance rightfully belongs to me. I am very concerned as I urgently need the money to cover, for example, the funeral expenses of my grandfather and to meet my own financial obligations.
How should I proceed in this situation? What steps can I take to reclaim my inheritance and stop the wrongful withholding by the bank? Are there legal options to protect my inheritance and enforce my rights?
I am grateful for your support and expertise in this matter, and I look forward to your helpful advice and proposed solutions.
Sincerely,
Jenny Schröter
Dear Mrs. Schröter,
I understand your concern and am happy to provide you with legal advice. In the situation you have described, it is important that you act quickly to protect your inheritance and stop the withholding by the bank.
Firstly, you should inform the bank in writing that you consider the withholding of the inheritance to be unlawful and request a detailed breakdown of the alleged outstanding debts. It is important that you gather all relevant documents and evidence to prove that there are no outstanding debts and that the inheritance rightfully belongs to you.
If the bank continues to insist on withholding the inheritance, I recommend seeking legal assistance. A specialized lawyer in banking law can help you enforce your rights and, if necessary, take legal action against the bank.
In such a case, it may be advisable to apply for a temporary injunction to temporarily stop the withholding of the inheritance until the legal clarification is completed. Your lawyer can also help you file a lawsuit against the bank to recover your inheritance.
It is important that you closely monitor all deadlines and demands from the bank and keep all communication in writing. Do not be intimidated and stand up for your rights.
I hope that my advice is helpful to you and wish you success in enforcing your claims.
Best regards,
Karl Böhm
Banking lawyer
