Your specialized inheritance lawyer in Frankfurt am Main, Rome, Trequanda and Florence
Pastori & Kollegen provides expert legal advice in both Italian and German inheritance law from its offices in Rome, Florence, and Frankfurt am Main, as well as through online consultantions. With many years of experience in this complex area of law, our firm helps clients navigate every stage of the inheritance process, up to including the completion of international succession procedures. We offer comprehensive support on property inheritance laws in Italy, helping international clients resolve legal and tax matters connected to cross-border estates.
Developments in Italian inheritance law
In Germany, inheritance matters are processed through judicial proceedings, which require the issuance of a certificate of inheritance confirming the legal status of the heirs throughout the entire process. In Italy, by contrast, heir status is established through a notarial deed, specifically in the form of a public act of notoriety. Looking ahead, the EU Regulation on Successions will also apply in Italy. This regulation applies exclusively to successions opened on or after 17 August 2015. Its implementation introduces significant changes, particularly for Italian citizens habitually residing in Germany, in international soccession cases.
Italian inheritance law is founded on the following core principles:
- Acquisition of inheritance through a formal declaration of acceptance
- Legal succession based on kinship or appointment by representation
- Calculation of the reserved share for statutory heirs
- Prohibition of inheritance agreements and joint wills
- Execution of testamentary provisions through specific legacies
Succession procedure in Italy and Germany
Pastori & Kollegen in Frankfurt offers extensive experience in all areas of inheritance law, including international succession proceedings. With a fully bilingual team, we support clients in handling every aspect of cross-border, inheritance-related matters and procedures in both Germany and Italy, eliminating the need for international travel. We also provide guidance on fiscal aspects of inheritance, working closely with both the German tax office (Finanzamt) and the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate).
Our main areas of practice in international inheritance law:
- Acceptance of inheritance
- Renunciation of inheritance
- Declaration of succession
- European Certificate of Succession
- Certificate of inheritance
- Land registry registration of inherited property
- Payment of inheritance taxes
- Estate administration
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