Abstract

Reparations for real estate were a messy and lengthy and less than satisfactory process. At first, there were no laws to deal with these matters, so that the process stalled for years. Finally, in the 1950s and '60s, the courts were able to proceed with the many claims that were filed, also from the Lang heirs. The trustee and lawyers for the family were able to prove not only confiscation, but aggravated confiscation (schwere Entziehung) which made the crime of dispossession even more grave. Reparations claims could be made not only for real estate, but for loss of livelihood, emigration costs, loss of good health, loss of education, and many other losses. Some efforts were successful, others were not, often for outlandish reasons.

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