How We Support You

Support in Assisted Suicide Accompaniment – Advance Care, Preparation, and Guidance

The decision in favor of assisted suicide accompaniment is of the utmost personal significance. It requires legal clarity, medical support, and comprehensive advance care planning. The law firm Christoph Nattermann offers holistic support in this sensitive area – from initial orientation and legally binding documentation of individual wishes to referral to experienced physicians.

Importantly, the initial consultation as well as the referral to an experienced and compassionate physician are free of charge. No referral fees apply. Any additional legal services requested beyond the non-binding initial consultation are billed in accordance with the German Lawyers’ Compensation Act (RVG) or by means of a separate fee agreement. This ensures that costs remain transparent, fair, and tailored to the individual’s personal circumstances.

Initial Consultation – Orientation and Legal Assessment (Free of Charge)

Anyone considering assisted suicide accompaniment is usually confronted with a wide range of legal, medical, and personal questions. The free and non-binding initial consultation offered by the law firm Christoph Nattermann provides a safe framework to gain clarity and orientation. In this meeting, both individuals and their relatives receive a sound legal assessment based on the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court of 26 February 2020, which expressly recognized the right to a self-determined end of life.

This consultation goes far beyond a mere presentation of the law: it applies the legal requirements directly to the individual situation, clarifies which documents and medical certificates are mandatory, and demonstrates how the decision must be documented in order to be legally indisputable. In addition, options exceeding the minimum requirements are presented – such as living wills, powers of attorney, or testamentary dispositions.

The initial consultation is thus the first step toward security, clarity, and dignity. It alleviates fears, builds trust, and lays a reliable foundation so that all further steps can be legally secured and tailored to personal wishes – and all of this is free of charge, without referral or consultation fees.

Assisted suicide accompaniment in Germany is legally permissible only if the patient’s decision is unequivocally free, autonomous, and well-considered. According to the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court of 26 February 2020 (Case No. 2 BvR 2347/15 et al.), the right to a self-determined death forms part of the general right of personality under Article 2(1) in conjunction with Article 1(1) of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz – GG). This fundamental right explicitly protects the freedom to determine both the timing and the manner of one’s own death. At the same time, the Court made clear that this freedom only applies if the decision is based on autonomous will-formation, free from pressure, manipulation, or coercion.

The requirement of autonomous responsibility also distinguishes permissible assisted suicide from the criminal offence of killing on request under Section 216 of the German Criminal Code (StGB). Whereas in killing on request a third party actively causes death, in assisted suicide accompaniment the responsibility lies solely with the patient – and only if they are capable of recognizing the implications of their decision and consciously carrying it out.

To ensure this legal protection framework, specific formal documentation is mandatory. This includes a written, handwritten declaration by the patient, setting out their reasons, the seriousness, and the durability of their decision. In addition, medical statements are required to confirm capacity for insight and judgment. These documents are not optional measures but essential legal prerequisites. They serve both to safeguard the patient’s autonomy and to protect the physicians, relatives, and advisors involved from subsequent criminal or civil liability.

Although estate planning is not one of the legal minimum requirements for assisted suicide accompaniment, for many people it remains of utmost importance. While assisted suicide accompaniment reflects self-determination over one’s own life, estate planning ensures that this self-determination is respected beyond death. A clearly drafted will provides legal certainty, prevents ambiguity, and significantly reduces the risk of inheritance disputes. Without such a provision, statutory succession (§§ 1924 et seq. German Civil Code – BGB) automatically applies, which often does not reflect the individual’s personal wishes.

In practice, the importance of clear arrangements is evident: siblings often fall into conflict because statutory succession divides assets equally, even though the deceased may have wished to favor a child who provided special care. Disputes also arise when life partners or close friends, who are not statutory heirs, are excluded despite having been intended beneficiaries. In the case of real estate, conflicts frequently occur if multiple heirs form a community of heirs and cannot agree on the use or sale of the property.

The law firm Christoph Nattermann assists clients in preventing such conflicts from the outset. This includes the legally sound drafting or review of wills, the structuring of inheritance contracts, or targeted legacy provisions that make individual wishes legally binding. In this way, it is ensured that the estate is transferred in an orderly manner, relatives are relieved of burdens, and the will of the deceased is fully respected.

Since estate planning goes beyond the mandatory requirements of assisted suicide accompaniment, it constitutes an optional service. Depending on scope and complexity, it is subject to separate remuneration in accordance with the German Lawyers’ Compensation Act (RVG) or through an individual fee agreement tailored to the client’s personal circumstances.wird.

For many people, it is a deep personal need not only to decide about their own life and its end but also about the form of their farewell. This includes questions such as the type of burial – for example, earth or cremation, sea burial, or anonymous interment – as well as the specific design of the funeral service. Some may wish for a traditional ceremony within a church setting, others a simple farewell in the closest circle, or an individual form reflecting their personality. The handing over of personal keepsakes, letters, or small legacies to relatives may also be part of these wishes, as well as leaving personal messages or music requests that give the farewell a unique and personal character.

Such arrangements are not legally required and therefore go beyond the minimum prerequisites of assisted suicide accompaniment. Nevertheless, they are of immeasurable value, as they relieve relatives in an already burdensome situation and prevent uncertainty or disputes about the deceased’s wishes. By clearly documenting and establishing these decisions during one’s lifetime, the final phase of farewell becomes an expression of self-determination and dignity.

At the explicit request of clients, the law firm Christoph Nattermann provides support in the legally secure drafting and binding establishment of such farewell wishes. This ensures that they are respected and carried out, offering relatives orientation and reassurance in this difficult time.

In addition to the medical and legal prerequisites of assisted suicide accompaniment, everyday practical matters must not be overlooked. These often determine whether relatives can act in an orderly manner after death or whether additional burdens arise. This includes careful organization of banking and insurance matters, clear authorization for accounts or deposits, and the timely termination of ongoing contracts such as rent, utilities, or telecommunications. Those who prepare in advance spare their loved ones time-consuming disputes with banks, insurers, or other contractual partners.

The question of the digital estate is becoming increasingly important. In a time when almost everyone has numerous online profiles, email accounts, cloud storage, and social media, relatives often face the difficult task of accessing or closing these accounts. Without authorizations or clear instructions, access is often denied, which can cause significant organizational challenges as well as emotional distress. While digital estate planning is not legally required, in today’s age of widespread online presence it is nearly indispensable to create clarity and prevent misuse.

At the express request of clients, the law firm Christoph Nattermann assists in structuring these practical matters in a legally secure manner and safeguarding them with the appropriate powers of attorney. This ensures that both financial and digital matters are handled in an orderly fashion, relieving relatives of additional burdens. In this way, the patient’s self-determination is preserved not only in medical and legal matters but also in all practical areas of life.

Medical accompaniment is a central element of assisted suicide accompaniment. Its importance lies in the fact that carrying out a self-determined suicide must not only be based on a free will decision but should also be supported by responsible medical supervision. Physicians play several indispensable roles in this context: they assess the patient’s capacity for insight and judgment, document the autonomous responsibility of the decision, and ensure that the process is carried out in a medically safe manner that is dignified and free of unnecessary suffering.

In Germany in particular, access to physicians willing to accompany assisted suicide is often marked by uncertainty. Many patients and relatives hesitate to search for medical support on their own or do not know which physicians have the necessary experience and sensitivity. This is where the law firm Christoph Nattermann comes in: it provides – free of charge and without any referral fees – contact with experienced, reliable, and compassionate physicians who are willing to provide assisted suicide accompaniment in compliance with legal and medical requirements. This not only ensures the safety of the patient but also relieves relatives, who can trust that the final path will be handled professionally and responsibly.

Medical involvement, unlike optional advance care services, is not merely an additional offering but a fundamental legal prerequisite for lawful assisted suicide accompaniment. Without medical confirmation of the patient’s autonomous responsibility and capacity for judgment, those involved could be exposed to legal risks, especially concerning the distinction from the criminal offence of killing on request under Section 216 of the German Criminal Code (StGB). By involving a physician, it is ensured that the patient’s will is clearly documented and implemented in a medically responsible manner.

The law firm accompanies this process from the very beginning, providing clarification on the legal framework and arranging contact with suitable physicians. For the patient, this means maximum safety, full transparency, and the assurance that their final path will be taken with dignity, respect, and legal certainty – without any additional financial burden from referral fees.

The decision in favor of assisted suicide accompaniment never concerns the patient alone. It is inseparably linked with the feelings, worries, and expectations of relatives. For family members, partners, or close friends, the thought of a consciously chosen farewell often represents a major emotional challenge. Questions frequently arise such as: “How do I cope with this decision?”, “How can I support my loved one without influencing them?”, or “How can I find strength for myself in this situation?” This is precisely where psychosocial support becomes essential, going beyond the purely legal and medical framework.

Although such support is not legally required, in practice it proves to be extremely valuable. By involving relatives early in the process, misunderstandings can be avoided, tensions reduced, and a common understanding established. Conversations with professional companions – such as psychologists, pastoral caregivers, or trained counselors – help to process fears, prepare for grief, and prevent feelings of guilt. For many, it is a great relief to know that their relatives will not be left alone but will receive support in accompanying the farewell with dignity and inner peace.

At the explicit request of clients, the law firm Christoph Nattermann provides the opportunity to integrate such psychosocial support services. This includes arranging contact with experienced psychologists and grief counselors, as well as organizing discussions that strengthen understanding within the family. If desired, spiritual or religious pastoral care can also be incorporated into the process, giving the farewell a personal and meaningful framework.

In this way, assisted suicide accompaniment becomes a path that is not only legally secured and medically responsible but also supported on a human level. The inclusion of relatives ensures transparency, builds trust, and allows all parties to consciously and peacefully participate in the farewell. This creates space for a dignified transition, characterized by mutual understanding and compassion.

With the patient’s death, the path of assisted suicide accompaniment comes to an end, but for the relatives a difficult period often begins, marked by organizational and emotional challenges. Especially in the first weeks after the loss, numerous legal, financial, and practical issues must be resolved, which can add further strain to the grieving process. Experience shows that families are easily overwhelmed in this phase without professional support, often leading to uncertainty or even conflict. Structured aftercare is therefore of immeasurable value.

From a legal perspective, this primarily involves the settlement of the estate. This includes the opening of the will, the enforcement of testamentary dispositions, and clarification of inheritance issues under Sections 1924 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB). Frequently, insurance claims must be filed, bank and rental contracts terminated, and pension entitlements asserted. In addition, authorities may initiate investigations or review proceedings, since physician-assisted suicides in Germany are regularly subject to prosecutorial examination. For relatives, this often creates the fear of becoming involved in legal proceedings in one way or another.

At the explicit request of clients, the law firm Christoph Nattermann provides comprehensive aftercare services. These include assisting relatives with all legal and organizational matters, representing them before authorities and insurers, and ensuring that the deceased’s will is fully respected and implemented. At the same time, contact with grief counselors, psychologists, or pastoral care providers can be arranged to offer support during this sensitive period.

Although such aftercare services are not legally required, many families regard them as an immense relief. They provide security, prevent legal mistakes, and allow relatives to focus on what truly matters: their own grieving process. In this way, the care provided by the law firm extends beyond the patient’s death, encompassing and supporting those who were closest to them.