Justice, served with compassion & expertise

The costs for a lawyer in Cologne vary depending on the case and billing model. Billing is often done through an hourly rate, which can range from 150 to 300 euros depending on the lawyer’s experience. For an initial consultation, lawyers typically charge between 190 and 250 euros. Legal fees can also be billed according to the Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (RVG), which specifies fixed fee rates based on the value of the dispute.

We offer a free initial assessment to make the estimated legal fees transparent.

After a traffic accident, you should react calmly. First, secure the accident scene and provide first aid if necessary. Then, it is important to document the accident and file a damage report with the insurance company. In case of doubt, always involve the police. For a precise assessment of the damage, an accident report by an independent expert is recommended. This report is crucial for the damage settlement, covering all costs for repairs and consequential damages. In the case of personal injuries, compensation for pain and suffering can also be claimed to compensate for physical and psychological impairments.

We work with independent experts and can thus save you a lot of time.

Whether you need a lawyer for a power of attorney depends on your individual situation. Free templates for powers of attorney are available online and can serve as a basis, but in our experience, they are not recommended. It is important to ensure that the power of attorney is legally valid. A lawyer or notary can help, especially if complex regulations or asset issues are involved.

Even if you are creating the power of attorney for a spouse, it should be checked whether all legal requirements are met. A lawyer can assist in implementing individual wishes accurately and avoiding errors.

To inherit correctly, you should plan your assets strategically. A will is crucial to clearly specify how your assets, including real estate and foreign assets, will be distributed. Without a will, the legal succession applies, which often does not align with your wishes and can lead to inheritance disputes.

A carefully drafted will helps to avoid inheritance disputes and provides legal security for your heirs. It is important to consider inheritance tax early, as targeted gifts or the strategic division of assets can reduce tax burdens. Especially with foreign assets, it is advisable to seek legal advice to ensure that all international regulations are correctly adhered to.

Here are a few tips on how to inherit correctly:

• Understand the legal succession (§§ 1922 ff. BGB)
• Be aware of inheritance tax allowances
• Deviations from legal succession require active measures
• Oral wishes do not count! Not even with witnesses
• Consider how the will should be stored
• Think about minor descendants or recipients of social benefits
• Consider foreign assets
• Consider potential conflicts between co-heirs

The question of the applicable inheritance law arises when there is foreign assets or the deceased has a foreign nationality. For drafting a will in such cases, it is advisable to make a choice of law, which should be effective. If an EU member state is involved, European regulations apply, particularly the European Inheritance Regulation. If a non-EU state is involved, it should first be checked whether bilateral treaties exist that regulate the question of applicable inheritance law. If no such treaty exists, the Introductory Act to the Civil Code applies.

A termination due to own use is possible if the landlord needs the apartment for themselves or for family members. The statutory notice period must be observed, which ranges from three to nine months depending on the duration of the tenancy.

For the landlord\’s termination, precise formulation is important to clearly and understandably justify the need for personal use. A sample letter can help ensure that the termination is formally correct. The need for personal use must be presented credibly to avoid legal conflicts.

If the tenant contests the termination, the landlord can file a eviction lawsuit to end the tenancy through legal means.

Legal advice is helpful to avoid mistakes and successfully enforce the termination due to own use.

A rent increase requires a legal basis. This can be derived from the rental agreement if a graduated rent or index-linked rent is specified. If nothing is agreed upon in the rental agreement, there are legal possibilities for a rent increase. This is possible after a modernization measure or to adjust the rent to the local comparable rent, e.g., a rent index. A statutory rent increase requires the approval of the tenant and must be enforced through legal action if the tenant does not provide their approval within the deadline. A rent increase has formal requirements, and there is no claim if these are not met.

Work contracts, including the construction contract, are characterized by the achievement of a work success. After completion, the work is typically to be accepted by the client. For construction, it is essential to conduct a site inspection and create an acceptance protocol. If significant defects are found, acceptance should be refused until the contractor has produced a defect-free work.

If you are planning a project that is not exempt from approval, you need a building permit. The requirements vary depending on the project. The same applies to the documents to be submitted. In any case, you need a plan that must be submitted to the building authority for approval. If the building authority does not grant the building permit despite meeting the respective requirements, you should file a lawsuit for the issuance of the building permit. We work with architects and specialists and can save you a lot of time.

Contracts are the foundation of non-familial relationships, particularly in the business sector. Contracts regulate mutual claims and ideally also address what happens in the event of non-fulfillment of a claim. Their effectiveness is of great importance, as an ineffective contract part cannot establish claims.

For reviewing a contract, it is crucial to determine whether the mutual rights and obligations are within the realm of what is actually possible, whether anything is required that violates laws and legal evaluations, whether the contract contains contradictory provisions, and of course, whether the required formalities are adhered to.

A planned immigration to Germany can be well-prepared. If you meet the requirements, a residence permit can be issued to you, allowing you to legally enter Germany. There are different residence permits available, depending on your life situation and educational background. For example, you can study in Germany, complete vocational training in Germany, work in Germany, or start your own business in Germany.

Depending on your plans, different documents and papers are required for the residence permit. This may also include a commitment from an employer or a university.

We can help you with the job search if you want to find a job in Germany. We can also assist with the search for a study place if you want to study in Germany.

The German citizenship can be acquired, for example, through birth, declaration, adoption as a child, or naturalization. You are:

• Children of a German parent who did not acquire German citizenship by birth,
• Children of a mother who lost her German citizenship through marriage to a foreigner before the birth of the child,
• Children who lost their German citizenship acquired by birth through a legitimation performed by a foreigner and valid under German laws,
• or descendants of such children?

Then you might be able to apply for naturalization. You have been living for:

• Five years lawfully in Germany,
• Possess a permanent right of residence,
• Support yourself financially,
• Are not criminally convicted, and
• Have sufficient knowledge of the German language?

Then you might be able to apply for naturalization.