Berliner Testament: Was Sie 2026 über die Nachlassregelung wissen müssen
Das Berliner Testament ist in Deutschland eine weit verbreitete Form der Nachlassregelung. Dabei setzen sich Ehepaare gegenseitig als Erben ein. Ein Überblick, was es dabei zu beachten gilt.
Many couples opt for the Berliner Testament, a popular joint testament for spouses and registered partners in Düsseldorf. This form of testament allows the surviving partner to be financially secured. Initially, the spouses designate each other as sole heirs, and the estate then goes to their common children or other specified residuary beneficiaries after the death of the longer-lived spouse.
The Berliner Testament, also known as the Ehegatten-Testament, is a joint testament that enables married or registered partners to designate each other as sole heirs. Unmarried couples are prohibited from this option under civil law (BGB, § 2265). The primary purpose of the Berliner Testament is to ensure the well-being of the longer-lived spouse.
Since it does not create an inheritance community, children initially inherit nothing, which is a fundamental difference from the statutory inheritance order. After both parents have passed away, the offspring inherit as "residuaries" (§ 2269 BGB).
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