Dr. Ulrike Helkenberg

Qualifications/Current topics

Dr. Helkenberg has been providing comprehensive advice to national and international clients in the field of inheritance law for over 25 years. Her practice covers the full spectrum of inheritance law matters – from forward-looking succession planning and the drafting of advance directives to representation in inheritance disputes before the courts. In addition, foundation law constitutes a further key area of her legal practice.

Dr. Helkenberg places particular emphasis on succession planning for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. She develops individually tailored succession concepts that take into account family structures as well as tax and corporate law considerations. In doing so, she works in close coordination with colleagues from the Tax Law and Corporate Law practice groups to ensure holistic and sustainable solutions.

In inheritance disputes, Dr. Helkenberg represents heirs, forced heirship claimants, and legatees in complex proceedings. These include, in particular, certificate of inheritance proceedings, forced heirship claims, the contestation of wills, and disputes among co-heirs regarding the distribution of estates. She also regularly advises in cases involving the administration of estates by an executor – both on behalf of the executor in dealing with the heirs and, conversely, on behalf of the heirs in asserting their rights against the executor.

In the area of foundation law, Dr. Helkenberg assists with both the establishment and the ongoing administration of charitable and private-benefit foundations. This includes the drafting of foundation charters, coordination with the competent foundation supervisory authorities, and advice on matters of foundation governance.

In addition, Dr. Helkenberg advises on the drafting of prenuptial agreements and on other civil law matters.

Clients value Dr. Helkenberg for her combination of profound legal expertise, tactical skill, and a keen sense for the people behind each matter. Her many years of experience enable her to quickly assess even complex situations and to proceed with strategic acumen. She never loses sight of the personal concerns of those involved – her ability to see matters from different perspectives is the foundation for finding pragmatic solutions that serve all parties' interests.