Navigating German Probate Law: A Guide for Americans

Navigating German probate law is often harder for Americans than the legal issues alone would suggest. The difficulty comes from a structural mismatch: U.S. heirs expect a court-managed probate process with an executor controlling access to assets, while German law assumes the opposite, the heirs step into the decedent’s legal position immediately. That single difference changes everything, including timing, liability, and leverage with banks and registries.

German Surrogacy Law

Why German Parents Face Legal Challenges After U.S. Surrogacy Surrogacy law in Germany is characterized by its stringent prohibition of the practice. The German Embryo Protection Act (Embryonenschutzgesetz) of 1990 makes it illegal to perform surrogacy within the country. This legislation explicitly forbids the implantation of an embryo into a woman who is not the biological mother, effectively banning both traditional … Read More

Michigan Surrogacy Journey: Compensation, Expenses, Medical Procedures & Escrow Accounts

Understanding Michigan Surrogacy Compensation On April 2, 2025, Michigan made history by passing the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act (ARSPA). This new law finally ended Michigan’s decades-long ban on paid surrogacy, making it legal for intended parents and surrogates to enter fair, enforceable agreements. What does this mean? Families and surrogates in Michigan now have the same protections that … Read More

Why You Need a Certificate of Inheritance (Erbschein) & How to Get It

When a loved one passes away owning property in Germany, U.S.-based heirs often discover that American probate papers are not enough. To claim real estate, close bank accounts, or access assets, German law requires a Certificate of Inheritance (Erbschein).

This court-issued document confirms who the rightful heirs are and is essential for handling an estate in Germany. At the German American Law Center, PLC, our dual-licensed attorneys guide American families through every step of the Erbschein process from preparing documents and translations to filing with the German probate court, so you can secure your inheritance with confidence, without needing to travel abroad.

What to Do When You Inherit Property in Germany from the U.S.

Inheriting property in Germany while residing in the United States involves a complex intersection of two legal systems. German inheritance law does not operate like U.S. probate. It automatically passes both assets and debts to the heir unless a formal disclaimer is filed within a specific time limit. U.S.-based heirs often find themselves overwhelmed by the bureaucracy, deadlines, and language … Read More

| Erbschein Help for U.S. Heirs | German Inheritance Experts |

When someone passes away owning property or assets in Germany, heirs often find themselves unable to access the estate without first obtaining a Certificate of Inheritance, known in German as an Erbschein. This document is issued by a German probate court (Nachlassgericht) and serves as official confirmation of the heir’s legal status under German law. Without it, banks, land registries, … Read More

German Probate Administration – An overview easy to understand

When a loved one passes away in Germany, the legal process for managing and distributing their estate is governed by German probate law. This process, while structured, can be complex, especially for heirs who live abroad. At the German American Law Center PLC, we guide you through every step, ensuring that the estate is administered efficiently, lawfully, and with full … Read More

Why the United States Is So Attractive for Surrogacy

Surrogacy in the U.S. and Its Impact on German Parents For many couples in Germany, surrogacy at home is not an option, it is simply prohibited. In contrast, surrogacy is permitted and clearly regulated in numerous U.S. states. States such as California, Michigan, Nevada, or Illinois are considered “surrogacy-friendly.” In these states, intended parents can be legally recognized as parents … Read More

Claim German Inheritance Without Traveling to Germany

If you’ve recently learned that you are the heir to a German estate, you may be asking yourself a critical question: “Do I need to travel to Germany to claim my inheritance?” In most cases, the answer is no, but only if you handle the legal process correctly from the start. German inheritance law is formal, documentation-heavy, and procedurally strict, … Read More

Inheriting a German Bank Account

Inheriting a German bank account requires more than a will. German banks freeze accounts until heirs provide an Erbschein, death certificate, proof of relationship, and tax clearance. The German American Law Center PLC and Rechtsanwaltskanzlei PECHER help U.S. heirs secure funds quickly with minimal delays.

Legal Impact of Supreme Court Ruling on Nationwide Injunctions and Birthright Citizenship Executive Order

I. INTRODUCTION This memorandum analyzes the legal implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 27, 2025 decision on nationwide injunctions and the subsequent impact on former President Trump’s executive order restricting jus soli citizenship rights. This issue bears significant implications for surrogacy clients, particularly international intended parents, clients on temporary visa status, and surrogates operating across state lines. II. SUMMARY … Read More

Nevada’s new Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill passed.

This bill replaces the provisions of existing law governing artificial insemination and surrogacy agreements with provisions  governing assisted reproduction and gestational agreements which are based on the Uniform Parentage Act adopted by the Uniform Law Commission and the Model Act Governing Assisted Reproductive Technology promulgated by the American Bar Association.

German court denies issuance of a German birth certificate

German court denies issuance of a German birth certificate to a child who was born in the U.S. by a married surrogate mother. The court explains that the only way for the German parents to become parents pursuant to German law is through an adoption process. Even the extracts from the birth register of the State of California and the … Read More