Purpose
A will determines inheritance shares in the millions and often consists of only a single DIN A4 sheet. Formal errors, testamentary incapacity and interpretation disputes are the main points of attack. This skill examines formal and substantive validity systematically.
Inputs
- Type of will (holographic / notarized / joint / inheritance contract)
- Date and place of execution
- Testator's testamentary capacity (age, health situation at the time of execution)
- Wording and any codicils / supplements
- Existence of any earlier dispositions
- Compulsory portion beneficiaries and beneficiary constellation
Process
1. Type of will
| Type | Form | Norm |
|---|---|---|
| Holographic | Entire content written in own hand + signed | § 2247 BGB |
| Notarized | Declaration to the notary or handing over a written document | § 2232 BGB |
| Joint (spouses) | Joint, § 2247 form sufficient | § 2265 BGB |
| Inheritance contract | Notarized, with contract partner | § 2274 BGB |
| Emergency will | Mayor, three witnesses, distress at sea | §§ 2249–2252 BGB |
2. Formal validity of holographic will (§ 2247 BGB)
- Entire text written in own hand (no typewriter, no dictation).
- Signature with first and last name (initials are not sufficient; § 2247(3) BGB-compliant "safety" signature).
- Date should be stated; if missing: not invalid, but problems with multiple wills.
- Place should be stated, same standard.
3. Testamentary capacity (§ 2229 BGB)
- Minimum age 16 years (§ 2229(1) BGB).
- Before 18: only notarized or on record before a notary (§ 2233 BGB).
- Lacking testamentary capacity, anyone who, due to pathological disturbance of mental activity, due to mental weakness or due to disturbance of consciousness, is unable to understand the meaning of his declaration and to act according to that understanding.
Burden of proof on the contesting party (presumption of testamentary capacity).
4. Interpretation (§§ 133, 2084 BGB)
- Testator's intention before wording.
- However, an indication in the will must be capable of being indicated (BGH case law on supplementary interpretation).
- Interpretation rule § 2084 BGB: where there are several interpretations, the one in favour of validity.
5. Interaction with compulsory portion (§§ 2303 et seq. BGB)
- Compulsory portion = half of the statutory intestate share of the person entitled to a compulsory portion (descendants, spouse, parents).
- Claim for supplement to the compulsory portion under Section 2325 of the German Civil Code (BGB) for gifts made 10 years before the death (with a tapering table).
- Waiver of compulsory portion / penalty clauses only by notarial deed.
6. Contestation (Sections 2078 et seq. BGB)
- Mistake (Section 2078): contestation within 1 year of knowledge (Section 2082 BGB).
- Duress (Section 2078(2)): as with mistake.
- Passing over persons entitled to a compulsory portion (Section 2079 BGB): if the testator did not yet know of them / had not taken them into account at the time of the will.
- Disposition after the making of the will does not affect its validity, but can create a conflict.
7. Revocation and withdrawal
- Revocation by a later will (Section 2253 BGB).
- Withdrawal from official custody (Section 2256 BGB).
- Destruction with intent to revoke (Section 2255 BGB).
- In the case of an inheritance contract: revocation only by contract (Section 2290 BGB).
8. Certificate of inheritance and implementation
- Application to the probate court (Sections 2353 et seq. BGB, Sections 342 et seq. FamFG).
- The certificate of inheritance attests to the status as heir; in a dispute over the validity of the will, the "dispute among heirs" must be resolved by an action for a declaratory judgment.
Sources
Statutes
- Sections 2229, 2232, 2247, 2249, 2253, 2255 BGB
- Sections 2078, 2079, 2082, 2084 BGB
- Sections 2274 et seq. BGB (inheritance contract)
- Sections 2303, 2325 BGB (compulsory portion)
- Sections 2353 et seq. BGB (certificate of inheritance)
- Sections 342 et seq. FamFG
Commentaries
- Leipold, in: MüKoBGB, 9th ed. 2023, Section 2247 marginal no. 1 et seq.
- Sticherling, in: Burandt / Rojahn, Erbrecht, 4th ed. 2023
- Damrau / Tanck, in: Damrau / Tanck, Praxiskommentar Erbrecht
Case law
- BGH, judgment of 24.01.2018 – IV ZR 304/17, NJW 2018, 1300 (testamentary capacity)
[unverifiziert – prüfen] - BGH, order of 22.09.2010 – IV ZR 12/10, NJW 2010, 3717 (holographic form)
[unverifiziert – prüfen]
Output format
TESTAMENT-PRÜFUNG — <Mandat / Az. Nachlassgericht> — <Datum>
I. Testamentstyp [eigenhändig / notariell / gemeinschaftlich / Erbvertrag]
II. Formelle Wirksamkeit
Eigenhändig vollständig: [✓ / 🔴]
Unterschrift: [✓ / 🔴]
Datum / Ort: [angegeben / fehlend, aber zulässig]
III. Testierfähigkeit § 2229
Anhaltspunkte für Anfechtung: [keine / Hinweise: …]
IV. Auslegung
Streitige Klauseln: <…>
Wille / Andeutung im Text: <…>
V. Pflichtteilsrisiken
Berechtigte: <…>
Pflichtteilsergänzung § 2325: [anwendbar / nicht]
VI. Anfechtungsrisiken (§§ 2078 ff.) <…>
VII. Wirksamkeit insgesamt [✓ / 🟡 / 🔴]
Empfehlung: <Verteidigung / Anfechtung / Beratung Erblasser>
Risks / typical mistakes
- Typewritten "holographic" will — void as to form.
- Initials instead of full signature — risk of invalidity as to form.
- Contestation period under Section 2082 BGB overlooked — 1 year from knowledge.
- Supplement to compulsory portion under Section 2325 disregarded — gifts made 10 years before death are relevant.
- Interpretation contrary to the testator's intention — Section 133 BGB takes precedence over the wording.
- Revocation by destruction without proof — burden of proof on the contesting party.
- Collateral agreements recorded as binding outside the will → generally void as to form.