Letter from a bailiff (Gerichtsvollzieher): understand the payment request
A bailiff is to collect a money claim for which the creditor already has a title (such as an enforcement order or a judgment). They ask you to pay.
How to recognise the letter
- The sender is a Gerichtsvollzieher, usually with the address of a local court (Amtsgericht).
- It names the creditor, the claim and the title being enforced.
- Often it contains an appointment for the statement of assets (Vermögensauskunft).
Which deadline applies?
No statutory deadline.
No deadline for a legal remedy: the bailiff may take the statement of assets at the earliest two weeks after the payment request (§ 802f Abs. 1 ZPO). If the letter states an appointment, keep it.
What happens if you do nothing?
At the earliest two weeks after the payment request, the bailiff may take the statement of assets: you then have to disclose your assets. No deadline for a legal remedy is running.
Your options
- Pay if you can – to the bailiff
- Ask for instalments: the bailiff can allow them if the creditor has not excluded this
- Keep any appointment stated in the letter
- Advice: debt counselling
Who can help?
Debt counselling (consumer advice centre, Caritas, Diakonie, municipality)
Frequently asked questions
How much time do I have?
There is no deadline for a legal remedy here. The bailiff may take the statement of assets at the earliest two weeks after the payment request (§ 802f Abs. 1 ZPO). If the letter states an appointment, that appointment applies.
Can I pay in instalments?
The bailiff can allow instalments if the creditor has not excluded this and you credibly show you can pay them; repayment should be completed within twelve months (§ 802b Abs. 2 ZPO).
What is the statement of assets?
At the bailiff's request you disclose all your assets (§ 802c Abs. 1 ZPO). A debt counselling service can help you prepare.
Who can help me?
Debt counselling (consumer advice centre, Caritas, Diakonie, municipality).
General information, not legal advice. Whether this decision is correct and what is right in your case is for an advice centre or a lawyer to say. Laws link to the official German text at gesetze-im-internet.de.