FAQs on wills

A will is useful if you wish to deviate from the legal order of succession, e.g. if you wish to benefit a charitable institution such as the German Cancer Research Center.
If there are no legal heirs and you have not made any other dispositions in your will, your possessions will go to the state.

For wills that are not notarized, you must write and sign the entire will yourself by hand. The will should contain your full name, date of birth and address.
Please also state the full name and address of the heirs and legatees you have appointed. For the chronological classification of the will, it is helpful to also state the place and date when signing.

If you would like to make changes to your will, perhaps because your circumstances have changed, you can draw up a new will. There are special features of a joint will that you should consider.
You can find more detailed information in our brochure.

This is not necessary, but is particularly recommended for large assets such as real estate.

In your will, you regulate everything that should happen to your assets after your death. You should therefore write your will with care and consideration. To give you confidence, we will be happy to support you by providing you with general information on the subject of inheritance for free.
We will also be happy to answer your questions by e-mail (nachlass@dkfz.de) or by phone (+49 6221 42-2626).

We would be very grateful if you would support our research, e.g. with a donation for cancer research at the DKFZ. Find out more about donating to the DKFZ here.

The German Cancer Center is a foundation under public law and recognized as a non-profit organization. This exempts DKFZ from any tax payments. Your estate will benefit cancer research at DKFZ in its entirety.

Are you considering supporting cancer research through your own foundation? We’re delighted to hear that. There are various ways to ensure your initiative provides the best possible support for cancer research. Depending on what you wish to achieve, a traditional foundation may be the right choice – or a consumable foundation, which uses your assets over a fixed period. Sometimes, a donation plan involving regular contributions is also a good way to advance research.

Tell us about your ideas, and let’s develop solutions together. Please feel free to contact us by email at spende(at)dkfz.de or by telephone on +49 6221 42 2848.