Notaries offer legal advantages for estate planning in Germany

Notary Bettina Selzer of the Frankfurt-based firm Selzer Reiff Notare has outlined the advantages of using a notary for estate planning compared to handwritten or lawyer-assisted wills. While self-written wills may appear cheaper initially, they carry risks such as unclear phrasing, failure to meet formal requirements, and potential inheritance disputes.

One significant drawback of non-notarized wills is that survivors often require a probate certificate (Erbschein), which involves additional time and costs. In contrast, a notary provides a comprehensive service including consultation, drafting, notarization, and filing with the probate court. This process also ensures registration in the Central Testamentary Register of the Federal Chamber of Notaries, offering greater legal certainty and practical ease for heirs.