Limitation period
Correctly calculating and enforcing the compulsory portion for spouses
If spouses are not named as sole heirs in a will, they often face unexpected hurdles after death. If there is a disposition in favour of the children or if larger gifts have already been made during their lifetime, the surviving partner is usually only left with the statutory compulsory portion. The...
The compulsory portion for children as a statutory minimum entitlement
When a parent passes away, stressful questions about the estate often come to the fore alongside the grief. The situation becomes particularly difficult for children if a will or inheritance contract does not take sufficient account of them or even completely ignores them. In these cases...
Compulsory portion supplement claim explained simply: Effects on the compulsory portion & gifts
Many people give away valuable property or large sums of money to other people during their lifetime. For disinherited children, this often comes as a great shock after death. As the assets have shrunk considerably as a result of such gifts, the pure monetary claim of the...
Waiving the inheritance - how & when you can still receive your compulsory portion
A death often brings not only grief, but also difficult decisions. Anyone who does not wish to accept the estate of a relative may consider whether the statutory compulsory portion can still be secured. As a rule, disclaiming an inheritance...
Having an inheritance dispute financed: How you can successfully claim your compulsory portion without paying for a lawyer
Claiming the compulsory portion can be a complex and challenging matter, especially if the financial resources for a legal dispute are lacking. In such cases, a litigation funder can provide valuable support. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the...
How is the compulsory portion calculated? This is how you can find out and claim your share of the inheritance yourself
The compulsory portion represents a legally guaranteed share of the inheritance to which certain close relatives of the deceased are entitled, even if they were not included in the will or inheritance contract. This entitlement guarantees the next of kin a minimum financial share of the estate. The compulsory portion is...
How litigation funding works: a guide on how to obtain justice without the risk of costs
Anyone who bequeaths in Deutschland or Schweiz cannot bypass their relatives completely. The right to a compulsory portion obliges the testator to pay out a minimum share to a narrow circle of people. Children, spouses or registered partners are thus also reliably protected in 2025, albeit with varying degrees of...
Execution of a will - An overview of the role and duties of an executor
The executor plays a central role in inheritance law by administering the entire estate in accordance with the wishes of the testator. This person has the special responsibility of taking possession of the estate, disposing of estate items and organising the settlement of the estate.
Inheritance contract & compulsory portion: A detailed analysis for heirs and testators
An inheritance contract allows testators to distribute their assets according to their wishes and designate certain persons as heirs. Nevertheless, close relatives who may be excluded from the inheritance by this contract have a legal claim to their compulsory portion. This mechanism...