Last will to the benefit of disabled

Since every family and financial situation is different, there is – on contrary to some opinion – no standard solution. The legal problems of setting up a last will to the benefit of disabled people are so plentyful that it cannot be drawn up “off the shelf” or on the basis of general formulars. The legal adjustments and subtleties require competence in detail concerning  inheritance and family law, especially when it comes to

  • the determination of the compulsory portion in connection with the applicable law concerning matrimonial property law in Germany or abroad or the consideration of donation agreements,
  • the application of foreign inheritance law,
  • related questions of insurance law concerning accident or life insurance policies,
  • related issues of company law or
  • calculating accruing (inheritance) tax .

It is therefore not advisable to “tackle” this topic without expert help. Professional competence is guaranteed not only through years of experience but also by the title of “Certified specialist in inheritance law” awarded by the governement, which is not comparable to any self-assessment as a “specialist for …”.

Costs of drafting a will

Quality has a price, but is its money worth, especially when it comes to the question of whether your will is valid in case of  use or void. Since these wills concern the non-profit sector (as well as many other of my activities), I calculate my fees here on a basis of 1/3 of the legal fees.

Who bears the costs of a disabled child?

Parents of handicapped children and other relatives are usually faced with the question of how they should structure their last will in order to support the child concerned as far as possible beyond the level of social welfare. Very often such disabled persons are accommodated externally with the result  that the accruing costs are high and at first are covered by the government.

Can the government take recourse on the disabled person's inheritance?

Insofar as the child concerned has assets, the government takes recourse in order to recover the costs already disbursed. Asstes are – apart from small amounts – everything with value, in particular also an inheritance or a compulsory portion claim. When a close relative of the child dies, his inheritance is therefore regularly subject to governmental recourse.

Disinheritance of the disabled is not suitable

Parents often try to prevent the disabled child from receiving an inheritance by drafting a disinheritance decree. This, however, triggers compulsory portion claims, which the child can only waive in case of legal capacity and which are  otherwise subject to the governmental recourse.

Protection by the so-called "Behindertentestament"

Under the term “testament to the benefit of disbled people”, there has been developed an effective possibility which limits the government’s access to the heirs assets and helps to preserve family assets. Family assets can thus enable the disabled child to live above the level of social welfare even after the death of his or her relatives.

Pre-inheritance and post-inheritance as part of the solution

If the will is drawn up correctly the disabled child should be appointed as a pre-heir. Another family member or also a charitable institution may be appointed as post-heir of the disabled child. Under no circumstances the disabled child may be given a smaller part than its compulsory portion. Otherwise, further claims in addition to the compulsory portion arise and endanger the intended protection of the family assets.

Execution of wills as another part of the solution

At the same time, execution of the will must be arrangend concerning the pre-inheritance. The executor of the will is instructed to grant the handicapped child benefits from the estate which in general improve its quality of life. The precise definition of the executor’s powers and the scope of his duties represent an important milestone of the will. A family member or heir can be appointed as executor in order to prevent third parties outside the family from gaining insights into the family’s financial circumstances.

Approval by the case law

The Federal Court of Justice has already confirmed this type of testament to the benefit of disabled persons on several occasions by recognising that the testator has an “interest worth accepting”. The same applies to of the social courts, which have obliged the government to pay, even if a testament for disabled persons exists.

Online enquiry

You can present your case to me without any obligation and I will give you a first opinion on your possibilities and costs.