Secure Your Family's Future in Germany
Planning for the unexpected is crucial, especially for internationals in Germany. Marriage and children don’t automatically grant decision-making rights here. Without proper documentation, authorities step in. Let’s explore how to create a Notfallordner to protect your family.
This is one of those topics nobody wants to think about, until you’re living in another country with kids and suddenly realize…
Wait. What would actually happen if something happened to one of us?
That’s exactly where I found myself.
As an international living in Germany, married, with children, I assumed a lot of things would “just work out.” That my spouse would automatically be able to decide things. That our kids would automatically be taken care of by the right people. That the system would be… logical.
Germany, it turns out, doesn’t work on assumptions. It works on paperwork.
So my husband and I recently started putting together something called a Notfallordner (Vorsorgeplaner/Notfallplaner) (an emergency folder), and I realized how little most internationals know about this topic, including me. So I got the experts from Schlun & Elseven Law Firm to help me by offering to go over step-by-step what’s included in this sort of planning.
What Is a Notfallordner, Really?
A Notfallordner isn’t one scary legal document. It’s simply a well-organized place where all important information and wishes are stored.
Think of it as: “If someone had to step into my life tomorrow, would they know what to do?”
It can be a physical binder, a digital folder, or both.
What matters is that someone you trust knows where it is.
What We’re Including in Ours (And Why)
Here’s the checklist we’re working through slowly, piece by piece.
Do You Need a Lawyer or Notary Immediately?
Not necessarily. Many families can start by:
Creating a Notfallordner
Writing down wishes
Getting organized
You might want professional help if:
You own property (making sure the property is passed to the right person, avoiding delays or disputes, helping heirs sell or manage property after death, applying for documents like an Erbschein (certificate of inheritance), which is often required to sell property.
You have a business (deciding what happens to the business, assigning decision-making authority, preventing the business from being frozen, and ,clarifying who can act if someone becomes incapacitated)
You’re a blended or international family (deciding which country’s law applies, preventing double taxation, making sure documents are recognized across borders)
You want a notarized will (in which case, you can contact a Notary; a lawyer is not required)
Unless you’re facing a particular legal issue, you don’t actually need to get a lawyer involved. If you do need legal advice or support, the team at Schlun & Elseven Law Firm has been a huge help for me and has lawyers from all different cultures who can speak multiple languages.
Where to Get a Notfallordner
Buy a ready-made emergency binder (here are a few I recommend: Mein Vorsorgeordner, Der VorsorgePlaner, or Das Vorsorge-Set)
Use digital templates
Create your own folder (they even have super secure burn-proof organizers nowadays) using a checklist like this
There’s no “perfect” version. There’s only better than nothing. There are a ton of different ones you can purchase online as well. My husband and I went with this Vorsorgeplaner because it goes into detail about personal information, digital identity, health, insurances, banking, taxes, pension, and much more (it’s also a bit easier for a non-native German speaker than the others on the market). It’s in German, but if you’re living in Germany, it’ll be important to follow a German Notfallplaner and not an international one (my husband was very clear on this after I printed out a cute one I found online from an American notary on Instagram 
).
Navigating German Banking & Laws
There’s more to learn before you put together that Notfallorder, keep on reading!
How to Get Your German Pension Refund Step-by-Step with Fundsback (Fast & Easy for Expats)
Did you work in Germany and pay into the pension system, but now you’re living
8 Things Every Expat Should Know About German Insurances
Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to navigating the
THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR BANKING IN GERMANY
Banking in Germany can be a challenging experience for newcomers, particularly for expats and internationals.
Digital Support
Explore my collection of practical, family-friendly digital resources – designed to support multicultural families in feeling confident, connected, and at home in Germany.
Free 12-Step Checklist
1-on-1 Video Call
Life in Germany Welcome Program
