Will

If you do not want intestate succession to determine how your inheritance is distributed, it is advisable to draw up a will. In a will, you can specify your own ideas regarding the inheritance and thus avoid any disputes that may arise between relatives.In a will, you can, among other things, make dispositions regarding the establishment of inheritance, special conditions (conditions for inheritance), deprivation of compulsory portions or restrictions. There are two options for writing a will under current German law, the handwritten will and the notarized will.

Handwritten will

The handwritten will is a handwritten will, which one has written and signed oneself / in one's own hand. The will must be completely handwritten in order to be valid. It is also advisable to indicate the place and date in a handwritten will in order to be able to determine which is the most current in the event of several contradictory wills. The safest way to make changes to the will is to destroy the old handwritten will. At best, you should tell a relative (heir) the location of the will so that they know where it is in the event of your death.

Notarial will

In a notarial will, your last will and testament is drawn up by a notary and then kept in safekeeping. In the case of a notarial will, it is advisable to inform the heirs at which notary the will is deposited so that they know where the will is kept in the event of death. Subsequent changes to the will are possible at any time.