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To ensure that you are always up to date, you will receive occasional notifications about important court rulings as well as legal commentary and notes from our experts on this page. Please be aware that the original language of our news content is German. While we strive for accuracy, automated or manual translations may occasionally contain errors. If any part of a ruling or commentary is unclear, do not hesitate to reach out to us for direct advice.
Deleting a land charge: What to do after repaying the loan
Westphalian Chamber of Notaries. Once a real estate loan has been repaid in full, the bank issues a deletion authorization. This step marks the successful repayment of the loan, but does not mean the complete end of the business relationship between the credit institution and the property owner. One important aspect is often overlooked: the land charge entered in the land register continues to exist. Assign the land charge? Owners often deliberately fail to submit the necessary cancellation application...
Association law – With good preparation, the association register will work out
Associations are an integral part of social life in Germany. More than 28 million members are organized in sports clubs alone. 1 Many associations pursue charitable purposes and thus serve society. The voluntary commitment of their members is an important pillar of our democracy. Notaries support associations with all types of registrations in the register of associations. On...
Are heirs obliged to pay maintenance?
Westphalian Chamber of Notaries. Many people want to ensure that their relatives are financially secure—even after their own death. Anyone who pays maintenance to a relative during their lifetime makes a significant contribution to that person's livelihood. But what happens when the person responsible for paying maintenance dies? Does the payment obligation automatically pass to the heirs, or does it end with death? Can...
Advantages of powers of attorney drawn up by a notary
Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Notaries. Consumers often assume that a power of attorney must be certified or notarized by a notary in order to be valid. However, although powers of attorney are effective for many purposes without any specific form, a notarized power of attorney has numerous advantages. If it is a power of attorney for healthcare, which provides for sudden incapacity and a legal...
Better safe than sorry – why a precautionary prenuptial agreement makes sense
When getting married, most couples focus on their personal relationship and their future together. However, marriage also comes with a number of rights and obligations. For this reason, it makes sense to consider the legal consequences of marriage at an early stage. A notarized marriage contract allows these to be tailored to specific personal circumstances.
What happens if there are no heirs?
Westphalian Chamber of Notaries. If a deceased person had no direct relatives, the estate passes to more distant relatives or, if no heirs can be identified, to the state. Anyone who wishes to arrange the distribution of their assets individually instead of following this legal succession has various options for structuring their estate according to their own wishes. Succession regulated by law In Germany, succession is regulated by so-called...