Overview
- German law gives heirs full succession to the deceased’s estate under §1922 BGB so inheriting property also means inheriting any debts tied to it.
- New owners must prove their status, usually with an Erbschein from the probate court, and notify the tax office within three months under §30 ErbStG while they can correct the land register free of charge if done within two years under the GNotKG.
- There are large tax allowances—spouses €500,000 and children €400,000 per parent—and a family‑home exemption that applies only if the heir lives there as their main residence for ten years (§16 and §13 Abs.1 Nr.4b ErbStG).
- Co‑heirs must usually agree unanimously on major moves under §2040 BGB which often causes deadlock and can force a court partition sale (Teilungsversteigerung) that typically yields well below market value, so mediation or legal help is often needed.
- Consumer guides published June 15–16 remind heirs to act quickly, check for notarised wills that can avoid an Erbschein, consider renouncing within the six‑week window under §1944 BGB if the estate is over‑indebted, and seek a notary or specialist lawyer to avoid costly mistakes.