Notarial Certification –
legally secure and impartial.
Prof. Dr. Frank Martin is a notary with his official seat in Limburg an der Lahn, acting as an independent holder of a public office. He certifies your contracts and declarations in a legally secure manner, advises all parties involved neutrally, and ensures a balanced, permanently robust arrangement. "From A for Adoption to Z for Zustellung (service of documents)."
What you need the notary for
In property transactions, the notary ensures a legally secure process and a balanced structure – from the drafting stage through to the transfer of ownership in the Land Register.
- Purchase agreements for land, houses and freehold flats – with both parties fully informed and complete handling of the transaction.
- Secure payment of the purchase price: due only once the priority notice of conveyance has been entered and the discharge of encumbrances is secured.
- Financing through the creation of land charges and mortgages in favour of the financing bank.
- Transfer without purchase price (gift, transfer of assets) as well as the creation of usufruct and rights of residence as security.
- Freehold flats: declaration of division and community rules under the German Condominium Act (Wohnungseigentumsgesetz).
With clear arrangements for your estate and provisions for incapacity, you avoid future uncertainties and relieve your family of burdens.
- Notarial will and inheritance contract: clear, legally secure structuring of your final wishes; as a rule, this replaces the certificate of inheritance.
- Power of attorney for provision: authorising a trusted person to handle financial and health matters – this generally helps avoid court-ordered guardianship.
- Care and living will provisions for cases of one's own incapacity to make decisions.
- Registration in the Central Register of Wills or the Register of Powers of Attorney for Provision upon request.
Agreements within the family create binding and fair foundations – before, during and after marriage.
- Marriage contract: choice of matrimonial property regime (e.g. modified community of accrued gains or separation of property), arrangements regarding pension equalisation and maintenance.
- Divorce settlement agreement: amicable arrangement of assets, maintenance and pension equalisation.
- Agreements among family members, such as property transfers or loans.
- Adoption of minors and adults: notarisation of the required declarations.
From formation to succession, the notary supports business decisions and ensures resolutions are validly executed and fit for registration.
- Formation of a GmbH and UG (limited liability): notarisation of the articles of association and appointment of managing directors, registration with the Commercial Register.
- Amendments to the articles of association and capital measures (capital increases and reductions).
- Transfer of GmbH shares – subject to notarisation, whether by sale or gift.
- Conversions (mergers, changes of legal form, demergers) and business succession.
- Registrations with the Commercial Register.
Certification confirms authenticity: the notary certifies that a signature or a copy is genuine – without a review of content as in notarisation.
- Certification of signatures, for example for registrations with the Commercial, Association or Land Register.
- Certification of copies and duplicates, e.g. of documents and certificates.
- Register registrations and powers of attorney in certified form.
- Please note: unlike notarisation, certification does not include advice on the content.
Those who pass on assets in an orderly manner during their lifetime create clarity and can make use of tax allowances.
- Anticipated succession: transfer of property or business shares during one's lifetime, making use of tax allowances.
- Transfer agreements with consideration such as rights of residence, usufruct, care and maintenance benefits, as well as rights of reclamation.
- Coordinated succession planning for family and business in conjunction with a will or inheritance contract.
- Estate settlement and applications for the issuance of a certificate of inheritance.
Notarial Services from A to Z
So that you can see at a glance what the notary can help with: a clear list of all areas. Is your matter not listed? Give us a call – we will be happy to advise you.
Property & Real Estate
- Land purchase agreement – purchase or sale of a house, flat or plot of land, legally secure for both parties.
- Condominium and partial ownership – declaration of division and community rules for condominium flats.
- Transfer & Gift – transfer of property during one's lifetime, for example to children.
- Usufruct & Right of Residence – securing a lifelong right of residence or use.
- Easements – rights of way, passage, access and utility lines between properties.
- Heritable Building Right – building on someone else's land (heritable building rights agreement).
- Rights of First Refusal & Priority Notices – securing rights in the land register.
Property Financing
- Land Charge & Mortgage – security for your bank when financing.
- Deletion & Change of Ranking – amending or deleting registered rights in the land register.
- Processing via Notary Escrow Account – secure, trustee-based payment of the purchase price.
- Completion & Land Register – registration and monitoring of all entries on your behalf.
Inheritance Law & Estate
- Will – individual will or joint "Berlin Will".
- Inheritance Contract – binding estate arrangement with other persons.
- Waiver of Inheritance & Compulsory Portion – mutual waiver to avoid future disputes.
- Anticipated succession– transferring assets in an orderly manner during one's lifetime.
- Certificate of Inheritance & Estate Administration – application and administration following a death.
- Execution of wills– reliable implementation of the last will.
- Disclaimer of Inheritance – timely disclaimer of over-indebted estates.
- Digital Estate – wills and powers of attorney for Bitcoin and crypto assets, including access to wallet and private key.
Family & Partnership
- Marriage Contract – regulation of matrimonial property regime and assets (e.g. separation of property).
- Divorce Settlement Agreement – amicable settlement of maintenance, assets and pension equalisation.
- Partnership Agreement – agreements for non-marital cohabitation.
- Adoption – adoption of minors and adults.
- Acknowledgement of Paternity & Declaration of Custody – notarisation of family law declarations.
Provision for Emergencies
- Power of Attorney for Precautionary Purposes – a person of your trust acts when you are no longer able to do so yourself.
- Care Directive – determine who will become your carer in case of need.
- Living Will – specify medical treatment in advance.
- General Power of Attorney – comprehensive authorisation, including for real estate.
Companies & Corporations
- Formation of GmbH & UG – articles of association and commercial register registration.
- Amendments to Articles of Association – adjustment of existing articles of association.
- Transfer of Shares – purchase or assignment of GmbH shares.
- Capital Measures – capital increase and reduction.
- Conversions – merger, demerger and change of legal form.
- Business Sale & Succession – transfer and succession arrangements for businesses.
- Association, Foundation & Cooperative – formation and register registration.
- Shareholder Lists & Commercial Register – registrations and ongoing notifications.
Certifications & Registers
- Certification of Signature – official confirmation of your signature.
- Certified Copies – official copies of important documents.
- Register Registrations – commercial, association and cooperative registers.
- Powers of Attorney – authorisations of all kinds.
- Affidavits – for example for authorities and courts.
Secure Processing & Custody
- Notary Escrow Account – fiduciary custody of purchase price and funds.
- Deposit & Custody – secure safekeeping of documents and valuables.
- Voluntary Auction – orderly realisation of real estate.
- Completion Service – we take care of authorities, land registry and registers.
This list is deliberately kept broad. Are you unsure whether your matter is included? Get in touch with us – the initial assessment is straightforward.
Bitcoin & digital assets
Bitcoin, Ethereum and other crypto assets have long been part of everyday economic life – and raise their own legal questions. As a notary, Prof. Dr. Frank Martin advises on their legally secure structuring: from the gifting and transfer of crypto assets to digital estate planning (will, lasting power of attorney, secure access to wallet and private key) and the formation of blockchain companies. Detailed information can be found on our dedicated page.
Neutral. Binding. For all parties.
The notary does not act on behalf of one party but ensures a balanced and legally secure arrangement for all parties involved. He is bound by confidentiality and impartiality and ensures that your wishes are implemented in a legally sound manner.
- Neutral advice for all parties before notarisation
- Statutory, nationwide uniform fees (GNotKG)
- Complete reading aloud and explanation of the deed
- Handling with the land registry, register court and authorities
1. Describe your matter
You tell us about your plans and the parties involved.
2. Receive a draft
We prepare a draft for you to review at your leisure.
3. Notarisation appointment
The deed is read aloud, explained and signed.
4. Execution
We handle the registrations with the land registry and other registers.
Well informed for the notarisation
Property purchase at the notary's office
From the draft contract to the land register entry: the process step by step, secure payment and ancillary costs.
To the guide →GuidesDrawing up a will
Handwritten or notarised? Formal requirements, the Berlin Will and costs – clearly summarised.
To the guide →GuidesPower of Attorney & Living Will
Why the notarial form matters, what needs to be included – and how to avoid court-appointed guardianship.
To the guide →GuidesGifting Property
Usufruct, tax-free allowances every ten years, rights of reclaim: structuring the transfer during your lifetime correctly.
To the guide →GuidesSetting up a GmbH
Articles of association or model protocol, share capital, Commercial Register – the path to your own company.
To the guide →Answers in advance
Can I choose the notary freely?
Yes. In Germany, free choice of notary applies. You may contact any notary of your choice – regardless of your place of residence or the location of the property.
Can you also notarise for clients outside of Limburg?
Yes. As a notary, Prof. Dr. Frank Martin may also carry out notarisations for parties from throughout the Federal Republic. His official seat is exclusively in Limburg an der Lahn – consultation, preparation and notarisation therefore always take place there. In narrowly defined statutory exceptional cases – for example, if a party is unable to travel due to illness or the need for care – a notarisation may, in accordance with §§ 10a, 11 BNotO, also take place outside the office, for instance in a hospital or care home; please do get in touch with us regarding this. We would be happy to arrange the process so that travel is as straightforward as possible for you. The journey is particularly short for residents from the immediately neighbouring Diez.
Does the notary also come to the hospital or care home?
In narrowly defined statutory exceptional cases, yes: if a party is unable to travel due to illness or the need for care, the notarisation may, in accordance with §§ 10a, 11 BNotO, also take place outside the office – for example, in a hospital or care home. Whether this is possible in an individual case depends in particular on the location; please contact us at an early stage.
What does a notarial deed cost?
Notary fees are governed nationwide by the Court and Notary Costs Act (GNotKG) and are based on the transaction value. They are identical at every notary's office. On request, we will inform you of the expected costs in advance.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Once all the required information has been received, we prepare a draft promptly. We arrange the notarisation appointment individually with you. For urgent matters, we can usually find a short-notice solution.
Do I need to bring documents?
You will need a valid form of identification for the appointment. Depending on the matter, further documents may be required (e.g. land registry details for a property purchase). We will inform you in good time what is needed.
What applies if the notary is absent?
If Prof. Dr. Frank Martin is unavailable, he will be represented in notarial matters by his notary deputy, lawyer Benjamin Meiser. This ensures continuous notarial support even in cases of representation.
Do you need a notarisation?
Tell us about your matter – we will prepare everything else for you.