On January 1, 2022, we welcome a new colleague: Anja Brinkmann-Rißling Strengthens our team from now on. As a specialist lawyer for family law and tax law, Ms. Brinkmann-Rissling has experience and expertise in two areas of law. We were allowed to ask her a few questions beforehand.
Ms. Brinkmann-Rißling, what are the typical questions or problems that clients contact you with?
In family law, these are of course primarily questions relating to separation and divorce: Do we have to live in separate households? When can I get divorced? When can I change my tax class? Of course, there are also all questions about children and maintenance claims: Which parent will the children live with in the future? Can we practice the transition model as parents? How much is child support?
In tax law, clients often want to know whether their appeal against the tax assessment has any chance of success. Or is it about tax evasion: What are the consequences of criminal proceedings for tax evasion? How can I defend myself against this? And what are the chances of success of a lawsuit before the tax court? I am also happy to advise entrepreneurs on tax law, for example if they want to take action against a liability notice.
Getting involved early is important!
And do you have a general tip for such cases?
In family law, I advise you to always seek advice before separation or after separation. This allows clients to better assess the overall legal situation. Together with your advisor, you can thus develop and enforce an overall solution for an out-of-court dispute. The aim should be to avoid a long-lasting “War of the Roses.”
It also makes sense to take action early on in tax law: It is best to have the facts explained in full in cooperation with the tax advisor and can thus have the chances of success of an appeal or lawsuit reviewed. Clients should aggressively conduct talks as part of the external audit. If criminal tax proceedings are initiated, you should immediately contact an advisor!
What appeals to you about family law and tax law?
I like the true-to-life issues in family law with their ever-changing facets and challenges. Here I can work out complex solutions for the spouses' disputes with advice and assistance.
Each of us pays taxes, so tax law is an integral part of our society. I like both the diversity of this area of law and the content of other areas of law.
Discretion, Loyalty, and Flexibility
How do clients benefit from combining the two areas of law?
When drafting and negotiating family law, I identify and address tax law aspects and issues. This is particularly important in the area of asset settlement and maintenance matters. The evaluation of balance sheets and income surplus statements as well as tax assessments and returns is particularly important for self-employed persons, freelancers and traders in order to determine the income of both the maintenance debtor and the dependent.
Which values are important to you?
Discretion, loyalty and flexibility are important to me as part of my work. I always approach new topics, projects and clients with optimism, empathy and openness.
What is the best thing about being a lawyer?
As a lawyer, I come into contact with the complexity of our society. It is a great feeling to achieve success for clients and to share them with them. The job is very varied, no day is the same. There are always new challenges and confrontations with new issues — so it always remains exciting!
What is your favorite place in Hanover?
I like being in nature: Preferably in the Eilenriede or on Lake Maschsee.
