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probate application Germany - Cross Channel Lawyers

Estate PanningGerman ProbateGerman Succession & Inheritance LawInternational Probate

Which German Probate Court to Apply to?

How to find the correct probate registry in cross-border inheritance cases Germany has 638 County Courts (Amtsgerichte), each of which has a probate department (Nachlassgericht). In order to obtain a German grant of probate (Erbschein), the applicant must address the right one, namely the County Court which has local jurisdiction (örtliche Zuständigkeit).  This is the first aspect which any local probate registrar (Rechtspfleger) in Germany checks, because it is an easy way of getting an…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
December 30, 2025
German ProbateGerman Succession & Inheritance LawGoing to courtInternational Probate

What is a Vorbescheid in German probate proceedings?

German probate registry "announces" the content of the grant to be issued The standard German grant is called Erbschein, i.e. certificate of inheritance. In contrast to grants in common law jurisdictions, such an Erbschein does not name executors or administrators. Instead, the german Erbschein specifies the "heirs", i.e. the beneficiaries and - if more than one - their respective shares in the German estate. How to apply for a German grant of probate is explained…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
April 30, 2024