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Inheritance law · Dutch law

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Inheritance law

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An heir will not cooperate: help with a stalled estateIs an heir blocking distribution? Find out which documents you need, how a civil-law notary can help and when you need an inheritance lawyer.Accepting an inheritance under benefit of inventory: protection and help with administrationUncertain about estate debts? Learn how acceptance under benefit of inventory works, the administration that follows and when legal help is sensible.Claiming a reserved share: deadlines, information and help from a lawyerWant to protect your reserved share? Distinguish making a claim from receiving payment, gather the right information and have an approaching deadline assessed.Disinherited by a parent: what is your position and when do you need a lawyer?Disinherited as a child? Check the will, distinguish being an heir from having a monetary claim and prepare carefully for a meeting with an inheritance lawyer.Obtaining a will after death: the register, notary and missing informationWant to know whether a will exists? Distinguish registration from contents, check your interest and prepare questions for the notary.
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Independent legal information. This is not a government website or a law firm. We explain Dutch law in every language. Each article addresses a specific question, uses primary sources and offers practical next steps.

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An heir will not cooperate: help with a stalled estateNL · ToolsAccepting an inheritance under benefit of inventory: protection and help with administrationNL · ToolsClaiming a reserved share: deadlines, information and help from a lawyerNL · Tools
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Disputes and entitlements

An heir will not cooperate: help with a stalled estate · Claiming a reserved share: deadlines, information and help from a lawyer · Disinherited by a parent: what is your position and when do you need a lawyer?

Acceptance and debts

Debts in an estate: investigate your position before paying or distributing · Renouncing an inheritance: declaration, consequences for children and when help is needed · Accepting an inheritance under benefit of inventory: protection and help with administration

Estate information and division

Need a certificate of inheritance? Investigation, delay and help with a dispute · Obtaining a will after death: the register, notary and missing information · Preparing an estate inventory: recording assets, debts and missing documents

Practical estate administration

A home in an estate: taking it over, selling or resolving a dispute · An inheritance with foreign connections: which law applies and who can help? · A cohabiting partner has died: do you inherit and which documents are needed?
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Need a certificate of inheritance? Investigation, delay and help with a disputeDoes a bank or notary request a certificate of inheritance? Learn what it proves, why investigation is needed and how to prepare when delayed.Preparing an estate inventory: recording assets, debts and missing documentsInventorying an inheritance? Prepare a verifiable overview, distinguish ownership from balances and learn when a notary or lawyer is needed.Debts in an estate: investigate your position before paying or distributingDiscovered debts after a death? Check acceptance, the estate and creditors, and have personal liability assessed in time.Liquidating an estate: rules, creditors and when a lawyer is neededDoes an estate require liquidation? Establish who may act, inventory debts and prepare reporting, sales and payments carefully.A cohabiting partner has died: do you inherit and which documents are needed?Lived together unmarried and your partner has died? Check the will, your own property and contract before assuming inheritance or housing rights.Removing an executor: serious grounds, evidence and a focused applicationDo you believe an executor is failing in their duties? Check the role, record concrete facts and have removal or an interim measure assessed.
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An heir will not cooperate: help with a stalled estateAccepting an inheritance under benefit of inventory: protection and help with administrationClaiming a reserved share: deadlines, information and help from a lawyerDisinherited by a parent: what is your position and when do you need a lawyer?Obtaining a will after death: the register, notary and missing informationNeed a certificate of inheritance? Investigation, delay and help with a disputePreparing an estate inventory: recording assets, debts and missing documentsDebts in an estate: investigate your position before paying or distributingLiquidating an estate: rules, creditors and when a lawyer is neededA cohabiting partner has died: do you inherit and which documents are needed?Removing an executor: serious grounds, evidence and a focused applicationChallenging a will: testamentary capacity, evidence and assessment by a lawyerCourt proceedings to divide an estate: lawyer, evidence and preparationNo information about the estate: what can an heir request and when can a lawyer help?Renouncing an inheritance: declaration, consequences for children and when help is neededA home in an estate: taking it over, selling or resolving a disputeAn inheritance with foreign connections: which law applies and who can help?Claiming a legacy: information, payment and deliveryDo you need an inheritance lawyer or a notary? Choose help suited to your disputeAccepting or renouncing an inheritance: choose before disposing of assetsStatutory distribution: your inheritance share and claim against the survivorA minor child inherits: acceptance, renunciation and protectionWhat may an executor do? Duties, sales, information and limitsBanking after a death: access, payments and disputed withdrawalsDistributing an estate when heirs disagreeGifts and inheritance: must an earlier gift be brought into account?Preparing an inheritance-tax return during an inheritance disputeDigital estate: who may request access, preserve data or delete it?Business assets in an estate: who decides whether to continue or close?Inheritance-law costs: who pays the lawyer, notary and estate administration?Money missing from an estate: investigation and recoveryA gift concealed in an inheritance: what can you do?Abuse of a power of attorney discovered after deathRevoking an estate power of attorney: authority, bank and lawyerThe executor fails to account: what next?Removing a liquidator: serious grounds and procedureAppointing a liquidator: preparing a district court applicationAttachment of an estate: safeguarding assets or lifting an attachmentAn advance on an inheritance: when can you request payment?An inheritance settlement agreement: making clear arrangementsAn unknown or untraceable heir: how can administration proceed?Enforcing a claim against the surviving spouse: when is it possible?Stepchildren and inheritance: when do you have an entitlement?Usufruct in an estate: rights, costs and disputesA dispute about inheritance value: valuation and reference dateRemaining in the home as an heir: arrangements and compensation for useAn exclusion clause in an inheritance: separate assets and evidenceBusiness succession through inheritance: control, valuation and taxImplementing and interpreting a will: what applies to unclear provisions?A dispute over estate management: arrangements and judicial assistanceAn heir will not cooperate: help with a stalled estate · NLAccepting an inheritance under benefit of inventory: protection and help with administration · NLClaiming a reserved share: deadlines, information and help from a lawyer · NLDisinherited by a parent: what is your position and when do you need a lawyer? · NLObtaining a will after death: the register, notary and missing information · NLNeed a certificate of inheritance? Investigation, delay and help with a dispute · NLAn heir will not cooperate: help with a stalled estate · PDF (NL)Accepting an inheritance under benefit of inventory: protection and help with administration · PDF (NL)Claiming a reserved share: deadlines, information and help from a lawyer · PDF (NL)Disinherited by a parent: what is your position and when do you need a lawyer? · PDF (NL)Obtaining a will after death: the register, notary and missing information · PDF (NL)Need a certificate of inheritance? Investigation, delay and help with a dispute · PDF (NL)Need a lawyer? Agree on the work and costs.Prepare your consultationAll PDF guidesDo you need an inheritance lawyer or a notary? Choose help suited to your disputeFind a lawyerOfficial lawyer registerArticlesArticlesExplainer videosExplainer videosToolsToolsPDF guidesPDF guidesMethod and sourcesMethod and sourcesLegal helpLegal help
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Understand your position, gather the right documents and explore the next step for your situation.

An heir will not cooperate: help with a stalled estateIs an heir blocking distribution? Find out which documents you need, how a civil-law notary can help and when you need an inheritance lawyer.
Accepting an inheritance under benefit of inventory: protection and help with administrationUncertain about estate debts? Learn how acceptance under benefit of inventory works, the administration that follows and when legal help is sensible.
Claiming a reserved share: deadlines, information and help from a lawyerWant to protect your reserved share? Distinguish making a claim from receiving payment, gather the right information and have an approaching deadline assessed.
Disinherited by a parent: what is your position and when do you need a lawyer?Disinherited as a child? Check the will, distinguish being an heir from having a monetary claim and prepare carefully for a meeting with an inheritance lawyer.
Obtaining a will after death: the register, notary and missing informationWant to know whether a will exists? Distinguish registration from contents, check your interest and prepare questions for the notary.
Need a certificate of inheritance? Investigation, delay and help with a disputeDoes a bank or notary request a certificate of inheritance? Learn what it proves, why investigation is needed and how to prepare when delayed.

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