It's a no-go if you're considering sending your child benefit application through your lawyer's electronic mailbox, as per a recent court ruling in Hesse. The Hessian Tax Court deemed this method inadmissible, labeling it as a potential special advantage for professionals, like lawyers, in private matters.
The court's verdict came after a lawyer attempted to send child benefit applications for their two children, completed with a qualified electronic signature, through their lawyer's mailbox. The main concern was whether this digital signature could replace the traditional handwritten signature. The court, however, didn't find it convincing and swatted down the claim.
If you're considering an appeal, you might be in luck. An appeal against the ruling is already underway at the Federal Fiscal Court (III R 15/23).
In light of this ruling, it's best to steer clear of the lawyer's mailbox and simply submit your child benefit application directly to the family benefits office. Handwritten signatures continue to be the gold standard for applications, and electronic signatures from a lawyer's mailbox, not so much.
Insight: This decision also raises some interesting points when it comes to the broader context of Family Court judgments and the potential implications for various professional groups.
Related Info: While this ruling doesn't apply to Canada's Child Benefit applications, it's essential to sign in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) and complete the online application for the Children's Benefit. You'll need to upload a signed Declaration of Attendance at School or University as proof of enrollment. No mention of using a lawyer's mailbox is included in this process.
