(10 September 2020)

From 1 October, notaries are required to report certain money laundering-related circumstances in real estate transactions to the competent Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This relates mainly to certain high-risk countries, cash transactions and the infringement of disclosure requirements (in particular correct entries in the transparency register). The fact that the persons concerned may not be informed of the report gives the matter an almost secret service-like appearance.

(10 September 2020)

From 1 October, notaries are required to report certain money laundering-related circumstances in real estate transactions to the competent Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This relates mainly to certain high-risk countries, cash transactions and the infringement of disclosure requirements (in particular correct entries in the transparency register). The fact that the persons concerned may not be informed of the report gives the matter an almost secret service-like appearance.

(10 September 2020)

From 1 October, notaries are required to report certain money laundering-related circumstances in real estate transactions to the competent Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This relates mainly to certain high-risk countries, cash transactions and the infringement of disclosure requirements (in particular correct entries in the transparency register). The fact that the persons concerned may not be informed of the report gives the matter an almost secret service-like appearance.

(20 August 2020)

Our notary's office, too, has experienced the ups and downs of the Covid-19 pandemic, i.e., we were operational during the critical stage, with considerable restrictions, and have now come quite close to normal operations again. Most importantly: Up to now, there have been no infections or infected persons in our notary's office. You can find the measures currently in place  here.

(23 December 2019) 

A revision of the law on money laundering tightens the obligations of notaries as well. Certain notarisations may no longer be carried out prior to the identification of the parties involved and of beneficial owners. In addition, a form  provided by the Federal Chamber of Notaries is to be used for the latter.

(7 February 2019)

Following the Inheritance Law Regulation in 2015, the EU has now adopted rules for the treatment of matrimonial property regimes in cases involving a cross-border element. For marriages that are to be entered into in the future, the law applicable will be determined primarily by the spouses' habitual residence. In addition, there are various options for the choice of law though. For other aspects of legal consequences of marriage and divorce, such as maintenance and pensions equilisation, however, the patchwork of differing international and national regulations remains.

(25 November 2018)

The Federal Chamber of Notaries is publicising that flat buyers are to bear the costs of the administrator's approval that is sometimes required only under very specific conditions. As a rule, these costs are incumbent on the owners’ association. In addition, in the case of estates where the administrator's approval is required, the Administrative Advisory Board should ensure that a chairman is elected and signs proceedings in this capacity. Otherwise, difficulties with the Grundbuchamt (Land Registry Office) have become more frequent lately.

(19 August 2018)

One of the most frequently discussed questions in the notary's office is the form of the signature on deeds. In fact, the way the signature is written should have something to do with a depiction of the client's name. Oft-stated examples have now been published in the Süddeutsche Zeitung.