Document background
The Deed Upon Death (Testament) is a crucial estate planning instrument under German law, used to ensure that an individual's assets and responsibilities are properly distributed according to their wishes after death. This document becomes particularly important when the statutory succession rules don't align with the testator's intentions, or when there are complex family situations, business assets, or international elements involved. German law places specific requirements on the format and content of such documents, with options for either notarial or holographic forms. The document must address mandatory inheritance rights (Pflichtteil) of close relatives while allowing flexibility in asset distribution, appointment of executors, and special provisions for business succession or minor children's care.
