Jan Bittler

"The problem is wills that are disappearing"

Mr. Bittler, how is it actually: nieces, nephews, distant relatives - have you been informed that you have inherited and are part of the community of heirs?

If there is a will in which heirs and heirs are listed with addresses and the probate court document is deposited, then the probate court will inform all heirs after the death of the testator. Otherwise there is no instance that automatically informs possible heirs in the case. But: As long as the heirs do not know that the testator has died, their claims will remain in place for decades. The situation is different when heirs or heirs are aware of the death of the testator and do nothing. Then your claim expires after three years. In my opinion, the problem is elsewhere: wills that are disappearing. Because it is like this: someone formulated his last will quite properly and deposited his will in his desk. If, for example, a foundation, a non-profit association or a favorite nephew is to be considered, but it is the direct relatives who open the desk drawer after the death of the testator, what do you think, how many wills will be destroyed without further ado? It is almost impossible to prove that.

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