{"id":35960,"date":"2025-07-10T11:09:41","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T09:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/small-estate\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T20:12:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T19:12:59","slug":"small-estate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/inheritance-law-estate-planning\/small-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"Small Estate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2><br>Small Estate<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-bagatellverlassenschaft\" data-level=\"2\">Small Estate<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-voraussetzungen-einer-bagatellverlassenschaft\" data-level=\"2\">Requirements for a Small Estate<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-abgekurztes-verfahren\" data-level=\"2\">Simplified Procedure<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-regulare-abhandlung-der-verlassenschaft\" data-level=\"2\">Regular Administration of the Estate<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#h-rolle-des-gerichtskommissar-in-der-bagatellverlassenschaft\" data-level=\"3\">Role of the Court Commissioner in Small Estates<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-bedeutung-fur-erben-und-glaubiger\" data-level=\"2\">Significance for Heirs and Creditors<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#h-fur-erben\" data-level=\"3\">For Heirs:<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-fur-glaubiger\" data-level=\"3\">For Creditors:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-ihe-vorteile-mit-anwaltlicher-unterstutzung\" data-level=\"2\">Your Advantages with Legal Assistance<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-haufig-gestellte-fragen-faq\" data-level=\"2\">Frequently Asked Questions &#8211; FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<a class=\"mr-cta-link mr-cta-button-cal\" href=\"#h2-booking\" title=\"Free initial consultation\"><span class=\"mr-cta-link-normal\">Select your preferred appointment now:<\/span><span class=\"mr-cta-link-bold\">Free initial consultation<\/span><\/a>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bagatellverlassenschaft\">Small Estate<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Austrian inheritance law, a small estate refers to an estate whose value is so low that a regular probate procedure does not appear necessary. The legislator has provided a simplified administration procedure for this, which is aimed at efficiency and cost savings. <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-3019fe8e alignfull uagb-is-root-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-32585033\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the value of an estate is less than \u20ac5,000, it is considered a small estate. In this case, the court may waive a formal procedure, in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ris.bka.gv.at\/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&amp;Gesetzesnummer=20003047&amp;Artikel=&amp;Paragraf=153&amp;Anlage=&amp;Uebergangsrecht=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00a7153 para 1 Au\u00dfStrG<\/a>. The processing is simplified and expedited, either upon application by the heirs or ex officio.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-45819ab6\"><picture>\n\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-352x198.webp\" >\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mr-picture-small\" src=\"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren.webp\" alt=\"A small estate exists when the inheritance is less than \u20ac5,000. In such cases, the processing is simplified.\" >\n\t<\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a class=\"mr-cta-link mr-cta-button-cal\" href=\"#h2-booking\" title=\"Free initial consultation\"><span class=\"mr-cta-link-normal\">Select your preferred appointment now:<\/span><span class=\"mr-cta-link-bold\">Free initial consultation<\/span><\/a>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-voraussetzungen-einer-bagatellverlassenschaft\">Requirements for a Small Estate<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether an estate is considered a small estate is decided by the <a href=\"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/gerichtskommissaer\/\">court commissioner<\/a> based on the circumstances. Typical criteria for a small estate are: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list icon\">\n<li>The value of the active assets does not exceed <strong>\u20ac5,000<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No entries<\/strong> in the land register or commercial register are required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No application<\/strong> for continuation of the procedure has been filed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No statutory legal succession ex lege<\/strong> occurs (e.g., in special cases under housing law, spousal accrual, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n    <div class=\"mr-quote mrbg clearfix\">\n        <a class=\"mr-quote-person\" href=\"\/ueber-uns\/rechtsanwalt-peter-harlander\/\" title=\"Rechtsanwalt Peter Harlander\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mr-quote-person-img\" src=\"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/harlander\/design\/ph100.webp\" width=\"100\"\n                 height=\"100\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rechtsanwalt Peter Harlander\">\n            <span class=\"mr-quote-person-text\">\n            Peter Harlander<br>\n            <span class=\"mr-quote-person-function\">Harlander &amp; Partner Rechtsanw\u00e4lte<\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <\/a>\n        <span class=\"mr-quote-content\">\u201eViele Erben untersch\u00e4tzen die Tragweite einer scheinbar einfachen Verlassenschaft. Tats\u00e4chlich ist das Risiko der Erben, Schulden zu \u00fcbernehmen, gerade hier besonders hoch.\u201c<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<a class=\"mr-cta-link mr-cta-button-cal\" href=\"#h2-booking\" title=\"Free initial consultation\"><span class=\"mr-cta-link-normal\">Select your preferred appointment now:<\/span><span class=\"mr-cta-link-bold\">Free initial consultation<\/span><\/a>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-abgekurztes-verfahren\">Simplified Procedure<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a small estate exists, the probate procedure is carried out in an abbreviated form. The procedure for a small estate is thus significantly simpler than for a full administration of the estate: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>No <a href=\"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/inventar\/\">inventory<\/a> is drawn up<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No comprehensive examination of the estate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/einantwortung\/\">Grant of probate<\/a> often occurs through informal official order<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creditors are only involved if relevant claims are known<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This significantly reduces procedural costs.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-regulare-abhandlung-der-verlassenschaft\">Regular Administration of the Estate<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Upon application by an interested party, the court will initiate the regular probate procedure even for small estates. This is   <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rolle-des-gerichtskommissar-in-der-bagatellverlassenschaft\">Role of the Court Commissioner in Small Estates<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court commissioner, as part of the death registration, examines whether the requirements for a small estate are met. He documents the existing estate, clarifies the heir situation, and initiates the <a href=\"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/einantwortung\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">grant of probate<\/a>. The processing is carried out formally, but without the formal administration procedure as provided for regular estates.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Caution:<\/strong> Even with small estates, there is <strong>liability for heirs<\/strong> if they accept the inheritance. Legal advice is therefore advisable in any case. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bedeutung-fur-erben-und-glaubiger\">Significance for Heirs and Creditors<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fur-erben\"><strong>For Heirs:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Expedited processing possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower procedural costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No complex procedure necessary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fur-glaubiger\"><strong>For Creditors:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Claims must be asserted promptly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In case of untraceable assets, there is a risk of default<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ihe-vorteile-mit-anwaltlicher-unterstutzung\">Your Advantages with Legal Assistance<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Assessment of liability risks<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Evaluation of whether a declaration of acceptance of inheritance is advisable<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contact with the court commissioner<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clarification of creditor claims<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Avoidance of unnecessary inheritance disputes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lawyer protects you from legal errors with potentially significant consequences, even with small estates.<\/p>\n<a class=\"mr-cta-link mr-cta-button-cal\" href=\"#h2-booking\" title=\"Free initial consultation\"><span class=\"mr-cta-link-normal\">Select your preferred appointment now:<\/span><span class=\"mr-cta-link-bold\">Free initial consultation<\/span><\/a>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-haufig-gestellte-fragen-faq\">Frequently Asked Questions &#8211; FAQ<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq uagb-faq__outer-wrap uagb-block-972c8b74 uagb-faq-icon-row uagb-faq-layout-accordion uagb-faq-expand-first-true uagb-faq-inactive-other-true uagb-faq__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap uagb-faq-equal-height     \" data-faqtoggle=\"true\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-6b30bb7b \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\">When is an estate considered a small estate?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>If the value of the estate is less than \u20ac5,000 and no land register or commercial register entries are required, the procedure can be concluded without formal administration.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-5426c70c \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\">Who receives the assets?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Those persons whose claim to inheritance is clearly evident from the file \u2013 usually legal heirs. Creditors may also be entitled to take over under certain conditions. <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-c2ec0fd0 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\">What is an authorization to take over?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>The court permits, by resolution, that a specific person takes over the estate. This resolution replaces the grant of probate and has been considered a valid title of acquisition since the ErbR\u00c4G 2015 (\u00a7\u202f798 ABGB). <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-c714ac9c \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\">Can the procedure be continued later?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Yes, an application for continuation is possible at any time. In this case, the regular probate procedure is initiated, and declarations of acceptance of inheritance can be submitted. <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Small Estate In Austrian inheritance law, a small estate refers to an estate whose value is so low that a regular probate procedure does not appear necessary. The legislator has &#8230;","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":25603,"parent":40710,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[328],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35960","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inheritance-law"],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren.webp",1920,1080,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-100x100.webp",100,100,true],"medium":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-800x450.webp",800,450,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren.webp",1920,1080,false],"large":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren.webp",1920,1080,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren.webp",1536,864,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren.webp",1920,1080,false],"336x":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-336x189.webp",336,189,true],"352x":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-352x198.webp",352,198,true],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-300x300.webp",300,300,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-600x338.webp",600,338,true],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-100x100.webp",100,100,true],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bagatellverfahren-120x120.webp",120,120,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Simon Prem","author_link":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/author\/simon-prem\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Small Estate In Austrian inheritance law, a small estate refers to an estate whose value is so low that a regular probate procedure does not appear necessary. The legislator has ...","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35960"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35960\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40710"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25603"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harlander-partner.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}