How to avoid an inheritance dispute

Munich The Hans Böckler Foundation estimates that around 400 billion euros are inherited or given away every year nationwide. People like Philipp Rumler know all too well that with so much money there is bound to be a fight. He is a specialist lawyer for inheritance law and mediator and he knows many families who have almost broken up because of the dispute over the estate.

From Rumler’s point of view, the question of how wealth can be transferred from the older to the younger generation harbors a great deal of potential for conflict. “In the combination with money and other goods that arouse desires or express the appreciation of the parents, old family conflicts often get new fodder.” Because often it’s not just about money. “Most of the time it’s about conflicts that have their roots in earlier childhood,” he says.

Based on three typical situations, read how assets can be passed on without dispute.