After the death of a person, a multitude of legal questions arise for the bereaved, relatives, heirs, and non-heirs, as well as for landlords and creditors of the deceased. This current guide provides comprehensive and practical assistance in answering these questions. It covers topics such as inheritance law (e.g., wills, statutory inheritance, compulsory shares, legacies, heir liability, certificates of inheritance), burial issues (burial, cremation and sea burial, grave maintenance, costs, etc.), social law questions (e.g., inheritance in social benefits, widow and orphan pensions, funeral benefits, allowances), income and inheritance tax, cross-border cases, and much more.

Regarding the 7th edition:

The new edition includes the latest developments in case law and legislation.

Among other things, it takes into account

• the reform of the compulsory share law,
• the second inheritance law equalization act,
• changes in the inheritance tax law, and
• the introduction of the central will register.

Additionally, there is a look ahead to the changes brought about by the European Succession Regulation of March 13, 2012, which will take effect in August 2015. The regulation provides greater flexibility for those involved in international inheritance cases in choosing the applicable law for their estate. Furthermore, a European certificate of inheritance is introduced, which will be recognized internationally.