Generic Estate Declaration

[Kerfuffle]

Sadly my husband passed away and I am dealing with a heap of paperwork. The UK bits are posing some problems as there are forms that need to be signed and stamped by a Commissioner for Oaths/Solicitor/Justice of the peace. I guess the closest to this would be a notary public. I contacted the notary public that drew up our wills (Erbvertrag) but will not touch it and will only deal with paperwork in German language. Has anyone else been in a similar situation before and can give me some advice?

[Fraufruit]

I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this very sad situation. Heartbreaking.

Hugs

[snowingagain]

So sorry. I found it tricky in the UK working the paperwork out. It might help if you could perhaps clarify what you are dealing with? UK property or investments, pensions etc. Or the UK wanting say, to know about DE stuff.

[Kerfuffle]

So far the German side has not been too bad. My husband spent the first 49 years of his life in the UK, so there are various tiny company pension schemes to deal with as well as a UK life insurance policy. Is is the latter that has this estate declaration. If push comes to shove I will have to wait until the probate court here deal with everything and then get whatever they issue translated and an apostille for it. My husband fell ill not log after we moved here and only ever worked part time here (we had a young daughter at the time), so his pension entitlement with Deutsche Rentenversicherung is very small, nonetheless I will claim for the Halbwaisenrente for our daughter, even if it is pocket money only. I have made an appointment with DRV locally for next week and will spend some time at the weekend to get all relevant paperwork together. He also still had a UK bank account which a friend of his has managed to get frozen. I have also emailed Premium Bonds and notified them, asking for the bonds to be kept in the draw for now. He has begun to draw a RAF pension, the paymaster has been notified and the pension will be stopped. Daughter and I may be able to claim a part of the pension, I have filled out some forms, so we wait and see. I am very baffled because each and every scheme has their own rules re paperwork that is required to satisfy their needs. He told all these guys that we had moved but they stubbornly ask for death abroad forms to be filled in and challenging why the body is not being repatriated, and wanting to see flight tickets (completely missing the point). There is no UK property to wind up for him, thankfully.

[snowingagain]

OK it seems to me that you need help with the UK side of things. Sorry if I am being thick. Did you register his death the British Consul here, because that might smooth that bit out, as they must be used to people dying not being repatriated.

[dstanners]

It's not my usual bag at all, but I am a commissioner for oaths.
If you just need someone to witness signatures / certify documents I could help.
We'd almost certainly need to meet in person though.
I am based in Bad Muenstereifel which is in NRW but near the RLP border. I'm also planning another wine buying trip to Dernau in RLP in a week or so if that's anywhere near you (it's just outside of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler).
If it's of interest, send me a PM with precise details of what you are after.

[Kerfuffle]

OK it seems to me that you need help with the UK side of things. Sorry if I am being thick. Did you register his death the British Consul here, because that might smooth that bit out, as they must be used to people dying not being repatriated.

I did not even think to do that, there is no phone number for the British Consulate, I suppose I can email them. I am taking a day off each week now to clear my remaining annual leave, so this will be a job for my down day. I had my first day back at work today and although I worked from home, it was still a big change for me to concentrate for long stretches of time. Hopefully tomorrow will be easier.