~ Legal professionals, some questions/answers to assist you ~

• When the existence of a will has been established, who has to be contacted to obtain information about its contents?

Information about the contents of the will is provided by the court commissioner, i.e. the notary who handles the probate proceedings on behalf of the probate court.

Courts abroad may, by way of legal assistance through the Innere Stadt Vienna District Court, submit a request for information concerning registration of the will in the Austrian register. The Innere Stadt Vienna District Court requests the will from the custodian.

• Who is entitled to receive the information concerning the contents of the will?

The information contained in the will and also a copy of the will may be sent to authorities and to persons with a legal interest in the will. The court commissioner or the probate court shall decide on the existence of a legal interest with due consideration of the circumstances.

• Is there a particular procedure to be followed? If so, which?

Certain persons, such as heirs, shall be served with a copy of the will by the court commissioner ex officio. Other persons with a legal interest must make this point to the court commissioner. The court commissioner or the probate court decides on the existence of a legal interest.

• By what means can the information be sent?

The information contained in the will may be sent by mail or electronically. Certified copies of the will, on the other hand, can only be sent by post.

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