Thuringia will inherit over 4 million euros from people without relatives in 2023

Thuringia inherited almost 4.1 million euros last year from people who have no relatives or whose inheritance was rejected. This is over half a million euros more than in 2022, as the Ministry of Finance announced in Erfurt on Friday. In many cases, the income in 2023 also resulted from inheritances that the Free State had already received in previous years. At the same time, the number of cases in which estates went to the state due to a lack of other heirs rose to an all-time high.

Over-inherited estates

According to the information, the Free State was identified as an heir in 850 cases last year. This is the highest number since 1991, when there were only 17. Since then, the number has risen significantly and has more than doubled in the past 15 years. While there were 367 cases in 2008, the country inherited 819 cases in 2022 and 784 cases in 2021. Inheritances are increasingly being rejected due to high debts, as these would otherwise have to be assumed by the heirs. Accordingly, the Free State inherits these debts, as it cannot refuse the inheritances.

In ten cases last year, the state had to pay out a total of around 77,800 euros to heirs who only became aware of them after the fact. "If a legal or testamentary heir turns up who was not previously taken into account because they were not known, then they have a claim to the surrender of the estate," explained Finance Minister Heike Taubert (SPD). The true heir's claim for restitution only expires after 30 years.

High personnel and cost expenditure

However, the state not only inherited more last year - the costs for administration and liquidation also increased. Added to this are the costs for personnel and administrative expenses. "This is why it is not worthwhile for the Free State to be declared an heir in the vast majority of cases," says Taubert. The state predominantly inherits over-indebted estates, which have to be processed with high personnel and cost expenditure. Especially where structurally desolate buildings had to be secured because no buyer could be found for years.

In 2023, the Free State inherited 577 parcels of land or shares in such parcels. This is significantly more than in 2022 (337). According to the ministry, there were also 286 parcels of land from inheritances in previous years that the state only learned about in 2023. This means that Thuringia currently still has almost 4,900 inherited parcels of land that need to be managed and sold. However, many are difficult to sell. Last year, the Free State was able to sell 380 parcels of land or shares in them or they were foreclosed.

In addition to land, the state also inherited financial assets, vehicles or jewelry, watches and securities. Outstanding bills for electricity, heating and water, unpaid rent debts, outstanding property tax claims or loan installments plus interest were also inherited in the past year. Funeral costs were also among the liabilities that the Free State had to assume.