Common English Mistakes in Will & Testaments by German Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native German speakers from Germany when writing a Will & Testament in English.

Mistake Example #1

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

I, Johann Müller, being of Ssound Mmind and Bbody, do hereby declare this to be my Llast Wwill and Ttestament. I appoint my Ddaughter, Anna Müller, as the Eexecutor of my Eestate. It is my Wwish that all my Pproperty, including my Hhouse and Ccar, be distributed equally among my Cchildren. In the Eevent of any Ddispute, I request that my Llawyer, Herr Schmidt, be consulted to ensure my Wwishes are respected.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Only proper nouns should be capitalized. Capitals are not necessary for common nouns (non-specific people, places, things, or ideas)."

I, Johann Müller, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint my daughter, Anna Müller, as the executor of my estate. It is my wish that all my property, including my house and car, be distributed equally among my children. In the event of any dispute, I request that my lawyer, Herr Schmidt, be consulted to ensure my wishes are respected.

I, Johann Müller, being of Sound Mind and Body, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament. I appoint my Daughter, Anna Müller, as the Executor of my Estate. It is my Wish that all my Property, including my House and Car, be distributed equally among my Children. In the Event of any Dispute, I request that my Lawyer, Herr Schmidt, be consulted to ensure my Wishes are respected.

Mistake Example #2

Overuse of passive voice

I, Johann Müller, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. It is requested by me that all my possessions arbe distributed according to the wishes expressed herein. MI leave my house in Berlin istobe inherited by my daughter, Anna Müller, and itI ishereby ensured by me that she receis provided with all necessary documents. TMy son, Karl Müller, will receive the sum of 50,000 eurosis to be given to my son, Karlwhich Müller, and it isI hoped by me that he willuses it wisely.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some fixes to reduce use of passive voice."

I, Johann Müller, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I request that all my possessions be distributed according to the wishes expressed herein. I leave my house in Berlin to my daughter, Anna Müller, and I hereby ensure that she receive all necessary documents. My son, Karl Müller, will receive the sum of 50,000 euros, which I hope he will use wisely.

I, Johann Müller, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. It is requested by me that all my possessions are distributed according to the wishes expressed herein. My house in Berlin is to be inherited by my daughter, Anna Müller, and it is ensured by me that she is provided with all necessary documents. The sum of 50,000 euros is to be given to my son, Karl Müller, and it is hoped by me that he uses it wisely.

Mistake Example #3

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

I, Johann Müller, declare this to be my last will and testament. It is my wish that, when I have passed away, my estate tobe divided equally among my three children. Furthermore, I request that, should any disputes arise, they tobe resolved amicably and without court intervention.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some fixing to correct word order problems."

I, Johann Müller, declare this to be my last will and testament. It is my wish that, when I have passed away, my estate be divided equally among my three children. Furthermore, I request that, should any disputes arise, they be resolved amicably and without court intervention.

I, Johann Müller, declare this to be my last will and testament. It is my wish that, when I have passed away, my estate to be divided equally among my three children. Furthermore, I request that, should any disputes arise, they to be resolved amicably and without court intervention.