Overview

• A Vorsorgevollmacht enables individuals to appoint trusted agents to manage their affairs in cases of incapacity, avoiding court-appointed guardianship.
• Legal experts recommend including a clause ensuring the power of attorney remains valid after death to facilitate estate management before the will is opened.
• Entrepreneurs are advised to adopt comprehensive powers of attorney to ensure business continuity in cases of incapacitation or death.
• The Bundesnotarkammer’s Central Advance Directive Register allows for the registration of Vorsorgevollmachten, enabling courts and physicians to access them electronically at any time.
• Handwritten wills can be deposited at district courts, but other advance directives must be securely stored by the individual or a trusted person, with optional registration for accessibility.