As of: February 9, 2024, 4:31 p.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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Ms. Liu, an elderly Chinese woman, has decided to leave her entire fortune to her dogs and cats.
What does German inheritance law say about such an idea?
Disappointed with her three children, Ms. Liu from Shanghai has decided to make her pets her sole heirs and thus make them wealthy four-legged friends.
The lady wants to leave a total of 2.6 million euros to her dogs and cats after her death, as reported by
Bild
, among others .
In doing so, she wants to ensure the well-being of her animals and their possible offspring.
However, since it is not legally possible to appoint animals as heirs in China, Ms. Liu appointed a veterinary clinic as the executor of the estate.
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Using pets as heirs – is that possible in Germany?
Germans also love their pets more than anything.
More than 15 million cats and around 11 million dogs live in German households.
In addition, more than 100 billion euros were transferred to heirs in this country in 2022 through inheritances and gifts, as
ZDF
reports.
But what does German inheritance law actually say about a case like that of Ms. Liu from Shanghai?
Can dogs and cats be used as heirs in Germany?
German law has a clear answer to this.
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German law has a clear answer to this.
According to the
Frankfurter Rundschau,
animals do not have legal capacity under German law and are therefore not capable of inheriting.
Neither money nor real estate can therefore be passed on to pets.
“Dogs, cats or guinea pigs etc. cannot take over as legal successor to a deceased person in this country,” says the
FR
.
But there are numerous options for those dying to make provisions for their beloved four-legged friends while they are still alive.
According to will expert Wolfgang Roth, pets themselves cannot inherit anything, but they can certainly be inherited, as he confirmed to
Stiftung Warentest
.
But heirs can not only refuse the testator's legacy, but can also refuse to care for a pet passed down to them.
It is therefore particularly important that, as a pet owner, you think carefully about who you want to leave your pet to after your death.
If in doubt, appoint a replacement carer for your animal.