What happens to my belongings when I die? Who will manage my estate? How can my money be put to good use after my death? Almost everyone asks themselves these questions sooner or later. The inheritance initiative of the Catholic aid organisations Adveniat, Caritas Germany, the children's missionary organisation "Die Sternsinger", Misereor, Missio and Renovabis invites you - for the first time in cooperation with the Federal Association of the Catholic Women's Community of Germany (kfd) - to a free online lecture on the topic on Monday, 27 January 2025, from 5 to 6.30 pm, which is deliberately aimed at women only. This is because women are more confronted with issues relating to wills and inheritance than men. They have a longer life expectancy, are often younger than their male partners and are therefore often the last female testators. Aid organisations are also registering a growing need for advice on issues relating to the donation of inheritances to charitable causes.
Patricia Goratsch, specialist lawyer for inheritance law from Dresden and speaker at the lecture "Why is it important for women to organise their wills?", states: "Our practical experience shows that women often have to pay the price if they have not made provisions in good time in their marriage, family and beyond and all important inheritance law issues have not been regulated." The event provides good arguments for tackling the topic - also for single people, by the way.
Well-founded overview
At the free online event, participants receive a well-founded overview of the most important questions that everyone should consider in connection with wills and inheritance. It is often underestimated how often disagreements and legal disputes arise after a death, says the lawyer.
Goratsch therefore urges people to take precautions: "According to official statistics, on average only one in four Germans makes a will. And in doing so, they miss out on the possibilities and clarity offered by a cleverly drafted last will and testament. Acting here therefore prevents conflicts.
Anyone who would like to include charitable causes in their last will alongside their loved ones will find expert contacts at the aid organisations mentioned above. Numerous donors accompany the work of "their organisation" for many years, and trusting relationships develop as a result. This often results in the desire to carry the values that have shaped their own lives into the future with a donation in their will. In this way, these donors give people in need and disadvantaged people new hope and prospects for the future beyond their own time - and themselves joy and fulfilment.
Event information
The online event "Why is it important for women to draw up their wills?" will take place on 27 January 2025 from 5 to 6.30 pm. Registration is possible via the websites www.erbschaftsinitiative.de and www.kfd.de. The free guide brochures on the topic of "Charitable bequests" can also be ordered there.
