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Papers · Germany
Updated September 2026

⚱️ A relative died — what do I have to arrange, and who helps?

Direct answer

The first week: the death certificate from the civil registry, the funeral, and telling the bank (accounts are frozen for anyone but the estate). Then the estate: whether there is a will (checked in the national wills register), who inherits, and whether to accept — because in most EU countries you inherit debts too, so you can accept under inventory or refuse, within a deadline. Bundesnotarkammer — Notarsuche (notar.de) — a notary — handles most of it in Germany: the certificate of inheritance, the will, the transfer of property. Amtsgericht — Online-Mahnverfahren (mahngerichte.de) is where refusals and disputes go; Finanzamt — Einspruchsstelle (elster.de) wants the inheritance-tax return within its deadline.

Call firstBundesnotarkammer — Notarsuche
Report toAmtsgericht — Online-Mahnverfahren
If that failsFinanzamt — Einspruchsstelle

🗣️ What to say

"My [relative] died on [date] in [place]. I would like to know whether a will is registered, who the heirs are, whether I should accept the inheritance and how, and what you need from me to issue the certificate of inheritance."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Death certificateFrom the registry where the death occurred; several copies — every institution wants one.
  2. Do not pay debts, do not clear the house yetHandling the estate as if it were yours can count as accepting it, debts included.
  3. Notary: Bundesnotarkammer — NotarsucheWill search, heirs, certificate of inheritance. Fees are regulated; ask for the estimate.
  4. Accept, accept under inventory, or refuseWithin the legal deadline (months). Under inventory protects you from debts beyond the assets.
  5. Tax: Finanzamt — EinspruchsstelleReturn within the deadline; exemptions for spouse and children are large in most countries.

📇 All contacts

Bundesnotarkammer — NotarsucheNotaries for powers of attorney, inheritance certificates, certificationsFor inheritance, certifications, property🔗 www.notar.de
Amtsgericht — Online-MahnverfahrenPayment order without a lawyer, then a claimLast step, when the claim is clear🔗 www.mahngerichte.de
Finanzamt — EinspruchsstelleObjections to tax assessments, deferral, enforcementWithin one month of the assessment🔗 www.elster.de
Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der LänderComplaints about authorities, inaction, unfair treatmentWhen the authority does not answer or acts unfairly🔗 epetitionen.bundestag.de

❓ Frequently asked

The deceased lived in another EU country

The EU Succession Regulation: the law of the last habitual residence applies, and a European Certificate of Succession works everywhere. The notary there or here can issue it.

I think there are more debts than assets

Refuse, or accept under inventory. Do not touch the estate; ask the notary the same week.

We cannot agree how to divide it

Mediation first — notaries and courts refer to it; then the court divides. Selling the house and splitting the money is the usual outcome.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “inheritance procedure Germany”
  • “refuse inheritance debts deadline”
  • “certificate of inheritance notary”
  • “inheritance tax deadline Germany”
  • “will register search”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

📜Apostille→🔢National ID number→🎓Diploma recognition→⏳Residence permit delay→

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