Court payment order (Mahnbescheid)

Rechtab 13 J.

A court letter in Germany demanding payment. Object within 2 weeks, otherwise the claim becomes legally binding! Don't ignore it – act.

A payment order (Mahnbescheid) is an official court document with which someone asserts a monetary claim against you in Germany – without a hearing.

What should you do if you receive one?

Deadline: 2 weeks! You have to react within 14 days:

• Claim justified? → pay and the matter is settled
• Claim unjustified? → lodge an objection immediately (the form is enclosed)
• Partly justified? → partial objection possible

NEVER ignore it! If you don't react, the payment order becomes final after 2 weeks. Then an enforcement order follows – and the bailiff can seize your assets.

Tip: a payment order does NOT check whether the claim is justified. Only your objection leads to the court examining the substance.

Did you know? More than 6 million court payment orders are sent in Germany every year. Many are for disputed or time-barred claims – objecting is often worthwhile.

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