As with all reputable law firms we feel confident that we can provide you with the very best legal service as it pertains to our specific areas of legal expertise. We are constantly updating our legal expertise with regard to the respective areas of law in both Germany and the US.
Often the Last Will of an individual can be the reason for enormous upset in a family. The situation gets exceptionally difficult if you inherited abroad or if you yourself want to bequeath someone abroad.
A close relative died abroad and appointed you as an heir in his will? You don’t know whether to accept your right in the succession or which individuals under German law are entitled to claim the obligatory share?
Or you want to set up your Last Will? Perhaps your estate is located in both Germany and the US? You want to make sure that your surviving spouse will be adequately provided for after your death?
You are appointed as personal representative or successor trustee and part of the estate is located in Germany?
The Law Firm of Hemming & Hemming with our extensive experience in estate planning will be able to explain all options available to you in order to meet your estate planning goals and fulfill the needs of your loved ones – whether you need to revise and update an existing will or create a comprehensive estate plan from scratch.
We can set up your Last Will in such a way that it ensures that your property will be transferred to those you have identified – even if they live abroad – as quickly and with as few legal hurdles as possible. We can determine which law is applicable to your Last Will and ensure that it is valid under the respective law.
We can represent you in probate proceedings both in California and all over Germany. We apply for the certificate of inheritance for you and register the change of ownership with the competent Land Title Office in Germany.
We advise you on all tax issues related to your will and estate under both German and US tax laws.
We can also offer mediation in estate matters to avoid having to go to court. Through this process the participants themselves decide and shape their future relationships and the distribution of the assets.
