International Estates & German Connected Probate
International Estates & German-Connected Probate
When an estate crosses borders, clients rarely need abstract explanations of succession law. They need clarity, momentum, and someone who can take control of a situation that has suddenly become international.
I help international clients resolve estate and probate matters where Germany is part of the picture — whether because assets are located in Germany, a German authority is involved, or German succession law may apply.
Typical situations include German real estate held by a non-resident decedent, German bank or investment accounts, corporate shareholdings in German entities, or foreign probate proceedings that must be recognized or implemented in Germany.
Turning International Estates into Workable German Outcomes
German probate does not “plug into” foreign estate administrations automatically. Foreign wills, probate grants, executor authorities, and court decisions must be made usable within the German legal system — or the matter stalls. My role is to take over that translation and coordination so that you do not have to navigate unfamiliar procedural terrain.
I do this by:
• Structuring foreign estate facts and documentation into a format German probate courts can process
• Preparing and coordinating the evidence required to access or transfer German assets
• Aligning foreign probate authority with German requirements for representation and disposition
• Coordinating German real estate, corporate interests, and financial assets within the estate
• Addressing conflict-of-laws questions that directly affect enforceability and timing
German Probate Procedure and Execution
In international probate, small procedural missteps can have outsized consequences — delays, blocked asset transfers, or results that do not reflect the decedent’s intentions.
Clients value my work because I focus on execution, not theory. Many estates involve far more than succession law alone: operating companies, real estate transactions, shareholder positions, and ongoing commercial relationships. These elements must be handled in parallel, not in isolation.
International Reach - Germany as Anchor
While Germany–U.S. estates form a core part of my practice, many matters involve additional jurisdictions where assets are located or heirs reside. I regularly coordinate estates touching multiple countries, with Germany as the legal or economic center of gravity.
You benefit from a single point of coordination that understands both the German system and the realities of international estate administration.
How I Help in International Estates
• Resolve German probate issues arising from foreign estates
• Secure access to German assets held by non-resident decedents
• Coordinate recognition and implementation of foreign probate authority in Germany
• Manage estates involving German real estate or corporate holdings
• Address disputes or obstructive claims within German probate proceedings
• Integrate probate strategy with corporate, real estate, and financial considerations
If your estate matter touches Germany and you want it handled with structure, efficiency, and commercial awareness, Galaniuk Law is precisely suited to successfully assist.
