Compulsory Portion 6 min
Calculating the Compulsory Portion
Were you disinherited or passed over in the will? The compulsory portion protects you legally. Learn who is entitled, how the amount is calculated and what deadlines apply.
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Expert Knowledge
on Inheritance Law
Comprehensible expert articles on inheritance, wills, compulsory portions and communities of heirs, written by Attorney Christian Kopitzsch with over 18 years of experience.
Featured Articles
Real Estate 7 min
Inherited a House: Options and Duties
An inherited house presents heirs with major decisions. Move in, rent or sell? We explain all options, tax aspects and what you need to do first.
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Will 5 min
Contesting a Will, Grounds, Deadlines & Prospects
Not every will is legally valid. Learn under what circumstances a will can be contested, what deadlines must be met and what the prospects for success are.
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Community of Heirs 8 min
Community of Heirs: Rights and Duties
When multiple people inherit together, tensions can arise quickly. We explain how a community of heirs works, what rights you have and how to resolve conflicts.
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Compulsory Portion 11 min
Compulsory Portion and Lifetime Gifts
Were gifts made before death that reduce your compulsory portion? Gifts from the last 10 years are taken into account proportionally, and where a usufruct was reserved the period often never starts to run at all.
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Will 5 min
Handwritten Will, Formal Requirements & Validity
A handwritten will can be legally valid, if written correctly. Learn which formal requirements are mandatory and which common mistakes to avoid.
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Compulsory Portion 5 min
Compulsory Portion & Siblings, who is entitled?
Do siblings have a right to the compulsory portion? We clarify both meanings: siblings of the deceased and disinherited children who are siblings to each other.
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Compulsory Portion 5 min
Compulsory Portion: the 3-Year Deadline
The compulsory portion expires after 3 years. When the period begins, what the 30-year maximum means and how to secure your claim in time.
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Community of Heirs 6 min
Selling Your Share in an Estate
Want to leave the community of heirs? You can sell your own share without the co-heirs' consent. Process, right of first refusal and alternatives.
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Will 6 min
Inheritance Contract (Erbvertrag)
The inheritance contract is binding, unlike a will. When it makes sense, how it differs from a will and what risks the binding effect carries.
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