News

You have inherited an art collection and would like to know what inheritance tax you will have to pay? The answer is complex – but there are also positive aspects. German tax law provides significant tax breaks if certain conditions are met. According to Section 13 Paragraph 1 Number 2 of the Inheritance Tax Act…

Many families in Germany regulate their estate planning using a Berlin Testament. At first glance, this model seems fair: The spouses appoint each other as sole heirs, while the children only inherit after the death of both parents. However, what is often overlooked is that those who claim their compulsory share after the first death…

An inherited house that none of the heirs wants to use themselves and that cannot be sold because one co-heir refuses their consent: This situation occurs more frequently in German inheritance cases than many people think. As soon as several people inherit together – for example, siblings after the death of their parents – an…

Anyone who has lost money in the past at an online casino or sports betting provider can, under certain conditions, reclaim it in full – however, time is running out. The Higher Regional Court of Cologne reaffirmed in January 2026 that providers such as Tipico, who offer online gambling without a German license, are obliged…

Those born outside of marriage whose biological father – or in rare cases, their mother – has died without naming him as an heir, often still have a legal claim: the compulsory share. However, many affected individuals are unaware that they are entitled to such a claim – or they assume that it has already…

Landmark ruling from Austria A recent ruling by the Supreme Court (OGH) in Austria represents an important turning point for affected players. For the first time, a supreme court has confirmed, following a previous ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ, Case C-77/24 – “Wunner”), that the management of an illegal online casino can…

If a parent becomes incapacitated and a sibling has power of attorney over the account, doubts and mistrust often arise. Many assume that as a child they can demand access to their bank account statements. However, this is not legally correct. At the same time, effective protective mechanisms exist – provided they are used in…

On March 19, 2026, the focus of both the online gambling industry and the affected players will be on Luxembourg. In case C-530/24 (“Tipico”), the Advocate General at the European Court of Justice, Nicholas Emiliou, has presented his opinion. The procedure is based on a referral from the Federal Court of Justice (I ZR 90/23).…