Inheriting debts – how to protect yourself
Inheriting an estate also means inheriting debts. Each German-speaking country offers ways to avoid inherited over-indebtedness.
Switzerland: art. 566–579 CC
You may renounce within 3 months of learning of the death (art. 567 CC). Alternative: public inventory (art. 580 CC) limits liability to inventoried assets.
Germany: § 1944 BGB – 6 weeks
Renunciation window: 6 weeks (6 months if abroad). Declared at the Nachlassgericht.
Austria: Einantwortung
The estate does not pass automatically. The heir's declaration can be conditional (limited liability) or unconditional.
How to protect yourself
1. Check accounts and loans. 2. Query credit bureaus. 3. If in doubt renounce or limit. 4. Watch the deadlines. The Wegbegleiter App provides templates.
Frequently asked questions
- When does the clock start?
- On knowledge of the death and title.
- Late renunciation?
- Only via challenge for error.
- Personal assets exposed?
- Without limitation yes; with inventory no.
- Joint debts?
- Remain fully owed.
Wegbegleiter – the app for difficult moments
The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) guides you step by step: checklists, letter templates and an encrypted emergency folder – free to start.