Select your location for location specific information:
Persons who are not involved in the probate proceedings can also enquire at the probate court as to who has become the heir of a deceased person.
Anyone who can credibly demonstrate a legitimate interest can also enquire with the probate court as a non-party to the proceedings as to who has become the heir of a deceased person.
This applies, for example, to landlords or other creditors of the estate who still have outstanding claims against the deceased person. A reasonably justified interest of a legal, factual, economic or scientific nature is required. This is not the case if all the necessary information is already available and it is not apparent that the inspection could lead to further findings.
The information can only be provided if this does not conflict with the legitimate interests of a party involved or a third party.
Circumstances must be substantiated from which experience has shown that a legitimate interest exists in the normal course of events.
The information is provided by the local court as the probate court. The probate court in whose district the deceased had their habitual residence at the time of death has local jurisdiction.
The information must be requested in writing or via the online procedure offered by the competent probate court.
Heirs are not always identified, especially if there are no assets. In this case, a fee of 15.00 euros may be charged for the negative information.
The probate court issues a European Certificate of Succession upon request.