Einerben

Einerben refers to a legal concept primarily found in German inheritance law. It translates to "sole heir" or "sole beneficiary." This term describes the situation where only one individual is designated to inherit the entire estate of a deceased person. This can occur through a will, where the testator explicitly names a single heir, or in cases of intestacy where the law dictates that only one person is entitled to the inheritance.

The concept of einerben is distinct from situations where multiple heirs are appointed. When there are multiple heirs, the estate is divided among them according to specified shares, often referred to as Erbengemeinschaft or a community of heirs. An einerbe, however, receives the entirety of the assets, debts, and rights of the deceased. This simplifies the inheritance process as there is no need for the division or management of the estate among multiple parties.

The appointment of a sole heir can have significant implications for the distribution of wealth and the continuation of businesses or property. It is a straightforward inheritance scenario, as opposed to the complexities that can arise when several individuals share in an estate. The legal framework surrounding inheritance in Germany, including the rules for determining an einerbe, is detailed in the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB).