After a request for the necessary certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) is made and these documents have been sent to the appropriate agency, other documents that will prove ownership, such as land register, extracts in the case of corporate ownership or an inspection of the commercial register must be obtained. In the case of expatriation, a claimant still has to demonstrate proof of ownership. In addition, information can be gleaned from old "Weidergutmachung" and compensation records or other archives.

After the Berlin wall came down, the unified German government notified the public that individuals who believed they had a claim, or their heirs, should contact their local German Consulate. At the consulate, individuals registered their claim and received a registration number.

Once one receives a registration number, the next step is to apply for a certificate of inheritance (Erbschein). The erbschein is issued by a probate court. The probate court conducts an investigation to determine (1) if you are a legitimate heir, (2) to determine what you are entitled to, and (3) to determine if there are any other legitimate claims by siblings, etc. This last condition exists in order to ascertain whether you have to share your claim with another.

Upon receipt of an erbschein, there are two options: keep the land or sell it. Frenkiel International helps with either of these two services. If you wish to sell the land, they will obtain for you the best possible price. If you wish to keep the land, they provide full property management services and will even set you up with well-respected and reputable architects and contractors in Berlin.