German Inheritance Law

We've arrived in Hamburg — and Wednesday can't come soon enough.

My family and I touched down this weekend, and it's a joy to be back along the Elbe before a busy week ahead.

This Wednesday, 15 July, I'm holding the first session of my free seminar series — Your Family. Your Estate. — German Inheritance Law — created for U.S. citizens and cross-border families living in Germany.

We'll cover the questions American families in Germany most often discover too late:

- Who actually inherits under German law — and why it may not be your spouse
- How the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV) reshapes your estate plan
- Guardianship for your children if the worst should happen
- Why a U.S. medical directive and power of attorney won't work in a German hospital
- The U.S.–Germany double-tax trap

**Hamburg — Wednesday, 15 July 2026, 18:30**
betahaus Schanze, Eifflerstraße 43
Free admission · In English · RSVP required

If you — or someone you know in Hamburg — fits this description, please come and share.

Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday!

One Week To Go!

⏰ One week to go — free seminar for Americans in Germany

Your US will stops at the German border. 🇺🇸➡️🇩🇪

If you're an American living in Germany — or a family with assets or ties on both sides of the Atlantic — your US will, trust, or estate plan may not do what you think once German law applies. The result can be unexpected heirs, blocked bank accounts, and a probate process your family never planned for.

Join me for a free, plain-English evening seminar:

📌 What every American in Germany needs to know about inheritance, estate planning & protecting your children.

🗓️ Hamburg — Wed, 15 July 2026, 18:30
📍 betahaus Schanze · Eifflerstraße 43 · 22769 Hamburg

🗓️ Berlin — Thu, 16 July 2026, 18:30
📍 TuesdayCoworking · Bundesallee 187 · 10717 Berlin

We'll cover: why German law can override your US will, how the "forced share" can hand part of your estate to relatives you didn't choose, what happens to your children and your home, and the practical steps to protect your family — with real case examples.

✅ Free · ☕ Come with questions · 🎟️ RSVP required (limited seats)

Presented by Nicola Casper-Hoesl, German-qualified attorney for cross-border inheritance law.

👉 Reserve your seat: germaninheritancelaw.us

There's something about a lake. ☀️

This is where I am right now — on holiday, watching my little one throw stones into the water and being completely, happily in the moment. No phone, no deadlines, just trees, water, and a very proud three-year-old with a good throwing arm. 💙

These quiet days are good for the soul. They're also when the important thoughts tend to surface — about family, about the people we love, and about making sure they're looked after no matter what.

So here's a gentle thought to take to your own summer break: do you have a will? And just as importantly — is it actually valid?

It's something I help families with every day, especially those with ties to both Germany and the U.S. So often people believe everything is "taken care of," only to discover the document wouldn't hold up — or doesn't fit together across two countries. A little clarity now spares the people you love a great deal of stress later.

No need to act today. Just let it cross your mind while you're somewhere peaceful. That's usually where the best thinking happens. 🌲

I'm away on holiday this week, so I'll be a little slower to reply — but I'd always rather hear from you sooner than later. 🌅

📺 New video is live!

If you have inherited — or expect to inherit — assets in Germany while living in the U.S., this one is for you.

German inheritance tax (Erbschaftsteuer) is one of the most misunderstood parts of a cross-border estate. Many heirs assume that because they live in the United States, Germany simply has no claim on them. That is often not the case.

In today's video I cover, in plain English:

✔ When German inheritance tax applies if you live outside of Germany
✔ How the German tax classes work — and why your relationship to the deceased can dramatically change what you owe
✔ The personal tax-free allowances (up to €500,000 for spouses and €400,000 per child) — and the catch that most non-resident heirs don't know about
✔ Why a quick conversation early in the process can save tens of thousands of euros later

I'm Nicola— a German-qualified attorney based in Denver, helping families on both sides of the Atlantic navigate German probate, inheritance tax, and estate administration.

👉 Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyZxliiepb0
👉 Questions? Send me a message or visit germaninheritancelaw.us