Deed Upon Death for Germany

Deed Upon Death Template for Germany

A German Deed Upon Death (Testament) is a legally binding document governed by the German Civil Code (BGB) that specifies how an individual's assets and responsibilities should be distributed after their death. The document must comply with strict formal requirements under German law, including specific provisions for heir appointment, mandatory portions for certain family members (Pflichtteil), and optional elements such as executor appointments and guardian designations. It can be created either as a notarial deed or as a holographic will, with the former providing additional legal certainty and proof of capacity.

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What is a Deed Upon Death?

The Deed Upon Death (Testament) is a crucial estate planning instrument under German law, used to ensure that an individual's assets and responsibilities are properly distributed according to their wishes after death. This document becomes particularly important when the statutory succession rules don't align with the testator's intentions, or when there are complex family situations, business assets, or international elements involved. German law places specific requirements on the format and content of such documents, with options for either notarial or holographic forms. The document must address mandatory inheritance rights (Pflichtteil) of close relatives while allowing flexibility in asset distribution, appointment of executors, and special provisions for business succession or minor children's care.

What sections should be included in a Deed Upon Death?

1. Personal Information (Persönliche Angaben): Full legal name, date of birth, current address, and any other identifying information of the testator

2. Declaration (Erklärung): Clear statement that this document constitutes the testator's last will and testament, revoking all previous wills

3. Primary Heirs (Erbeinsetzung): Designation of primary heir(s) and their respective shares of the estate

4. Specific Bequests (Vermächtnisse): Detailed list of specific items or amounts to be given to particular beneficiaries

5. Executor Appointment (Testamentsvollstrecker): Nomination of an executor to manage the estate and their powers

6. Closing Provisions (Schlussbestimmungen): Final declarations, date, and signature of the testator

What sections are optional to include in a Deed Upon Death?

1. Guardian Appointment (Vormundschaftsregelung): Used when testator has minor children to appoint guardians

2. Business Succession (Unternehmensnachfolge): Used when testator owns business interests to specify succession planning

3. Funeral Instructions (Bestattungswünsche): Used to specify particular wishes regarding funeral arrangements

4. Care Instructions (Pflegeanweisungen): Used to provide instructions for care of dependents, pets, or specific assets

5. Disinheritance Provisions (Enterbung): Used when explicitly excluding legal heirs, including mandatory portion (Pflichtteil) considerations

6. Condition Clauses (Bedingungsklauseln): Used to set specific conditions for inheritance or bequests

7. Tax Optimization Provisions (Steueroptimierung): Used for larger estates to include tax-efficient distribution provisions

What schedules should be included in a Deed Upon Death?

1. Schedule A - Asset Inventory (Vermögensverzeichnis): Detailed list of major assets including real estate, vehicles, and valuable items

2. Schedule B - Bank Accounts (Bankkonten): List of bank accounts, investments, and financial assets

3. Schedule C - Digital Assets (Digitale Vermögenswerte): Inventory of digital assets including online accounts, cryptocurrencies, and access information

4. Schedule D - Family Tree (Stammbaum): Family tree showing relevant relationships for inheritance purposes

5. Schedule E - Instructions for Executor (Anweisungen für den Testamentsvollstrecker): Detailed instructions for the executor regarding estate administration

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

Germany

Publisher

Genie AI

Document Type

Property Deed

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions
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Estate Planning

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