More security for last wills: Official safekeeping and central register of wills

Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Notaries. Unfortunately, it happens again and again that wills are not found or are only found years later. The Chamber of Notaries recommends that anyone wishing to make a will should play it safe and place it in official safekeeping. As a result, the will will inevitably be recorded in the Central Register of Wills of the Federal Chamber of Notaries. Wills drawn up by a notary must also be placed in special official safekeeping at the local court.

Acceleration of the probate proceedings

Drawing up a will with a notary allows you to document your last will and testament in a legally secure manner. The resulting official safekeeping and entry in the Central Register of Wills also guarantee that the testamentary disposition is taken into account in probate proceedings. The digital and central storage of the safekeeping details for wills enables the rapid and uncomplicated delivery of the documents in the event of death. Court probate proceedings can be accelerated enormously, as the deposited documents are removed from official custody and opened after death.

Documents remain protected from unauthorized access

When the death occurs, the relevant registry office notifies the Central Register of Wills. The computer there checks whether the testator has made any dispositions mortis causa. The probate court and the custodians are then informed immediately. Data protection is maintained. Only the data required to locate the documents held in safekeeping is stored, but not the content of wills or inheritance contracts. Information to identify documents relevant to inheritance law can be provided to courts and notaries, but the testator must have consented to the provision of information during their lifetime.