The inheritance dispute surrounding Niki Lauda has brought the issue of inheritance back to people’s attention. The last will of a person is often the reason for quarrels in the family – and there the scraps fly. “There is no other jurisdiction where so many families have broken up,” said attorney Vincent Schneider. Reason enough for moderator Conny Winiwarter to ask more questions.
“It can be unpleasant,” summarizes the probate expert. However, not everyone needs a will. Schneider: “The first step should be to think about what happens if I don’t have a will.” Then the husband gets his obligatory share of one third, the rest is divided among the children. If this format doesn’t suit you, “you absolutely need a will.”
‘Important partners get nothing’
Unmarried couples in particular should discuss the subject as soon as possible: “Because according to the law life partners do not inherit anything.” This is different with registered partnership: it is treated in the same way as a marriage. In the best case scenario, you can freely dispose of half of your assets with a will, for example by leaving it to an animal protection organization or your best friend. The other half is almost always reserved for the obligatory heirs, i.e. spouses and children.
“Inherit Debts You Don’t Know About”
“True disinheritance is only possible if, for example, a child has been convicted of a serious crime,” the lawyer describes the modest possibilities of disinheritance. But big money doesn’t always beckon when it comes to inheritance: “If you inherit, you also inherit the debts. Also those that you don’t know about yet, such as gambling debts,” explains lawyer Schneider. Debts that become due later must therefore be paid by the heirs.
“Everyone can write their own will at home”
According to Schneider, no relevant knowledge or formulas are needed to draft a will: “It just has to be recognizable somewhere that it is the last will.” Another condition: the entire text must be handwritten and signed. But what it doesn’t need is a date.
You can see a lot of other important information, such as what happens if a new will suddenly appears after death, what a bankruptcy of the estate is and what the most bizarre case of the lawyer was, in the video above.
We explain what everyone is thinking about right now: the latest news conversations with politicians and experts.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
