Does my inheritance need to be made public?
June 28, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Uwe Herrmann
Dear lawyer specializing in inheritance law,
My name is Jonas Peters and I am facing an important question regarding my inheritance. My father recently passed away and left a will in which I am named as the sole heir. Now I am wondering if my inheritance needs to be made public and who can find out about it.
I am concerned that the disclosure of my inheritance could violate my privacy or that unwanted individuals may become aware of it. I would like to know if there are ways to handle my inheritance discreetly without it becoming public knowledge.
Can you tell me if there are legal provisions that determine whether and to what extent an inheritance must be made public? Are there alternative ways to handle my inheritance without it becoming public? What steps should I take to protect my privacy and handle my inheritance discreetly?
I thank you in advance for your assistance and look forward to your expert advice on this matter.
Sincerely,
Jonas Peters
Dear Mr. Peters,
I understand your concerns regarding the disclosure of your inheritance and your privacy. It is important to know that in Germany, there is generally no obligation to make a will public. This means that the exact details of your inheritance do not have to be automatically made accessible to the public.
However, there are exceptions where a will must be made public. This is the case, for example, when a certificate of inheritance is needed to clarify ownership or to obtain assets. In such cases, the will is deposited with the probate court and can be viewed by authorized individuals.
To handle your inheritance as discreetly as possible, there are various options. One option is to create a so-called "preliminary will". You can specify that certain individuals should only be informed after your death. This can help protect your privacy and ensure that only those you wish to share your inheritance with actually find out about it.
Another possibility is to establish an inheritance contract. Unlike a will, an inheritance contract is notarized and cannot be easily changed. This way, you can ensure that your inheritance is handled discreetly and according to your wishes.
To protect your privacy and handle your inheritance discreetly, it is advisable to seek advice from a specialized lawyer in inheritance law early on. They can help you find the right solution for you and consider all legal aspects.
I hope that I could assist you with this information and I am available for any further questions.
Best regards,
Uwe Herrmann
