Source: https://www.german-probate-lawyer.com/detail/article/liability-for-estate-debts-in-germany-2145.html
Timestamp: 2019-10-19 19:50:50
Document Index: 92363051

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1922', '§ 1922', '§ 1967', '§ 1967', '§ 1975', '§ 1990']

Under German law, the estate (Nachlass) passes automatically to the heir (Erbe) or, if there is more than one heir, to the community of co-heirs (Erbengemeinschaft) at the time of death. See § 1922 German Civil Code (BGB). While § 1922 (1) BGB only speaks of succession to the estate of the decedent, § 1967 (1) BGB makes it clear that the heir also is liable for estate debts (Nachlassverbindlichkeiten). Pursuant to § 1967 BGB the term "estate debts" includes
If the heir can still disclaim the inheritance, he should timely consider a disclaimer of inheritance (Ausschlagung). If he erranously accepted the inheritance, he may contest the disclaimer (Anfechtung der Annahme).
After acceptance of the inheritance, the liability of the heir can be limited to the estate if the court orders curatorship for the protection of the creditors of the estate (Nachlassverwaltung) or estate insolvency proceedings (Nachlassinsolvenzverfahren) are instituted (§ 1975 BGB).
If there are not sufficient assets in the estate to cover the costs of the curatorship or estate insolvency proceedings, the heir may refuse to satisfy a creditor of the estate to the extent that the estate is insufficient (Einrede der Dürftigkeit des Nachlasses). In this case, the heir is obliged to deliver the estate for the purpose of satisfying the creditor by way of execution of judgment (§ 1990 BGB).