Key facts about
death
When a loved one passes away, there are often all kinds of arrangements to make. You will need to contact the tax authorities, the bank, insurance companies.
And at the same time, you’ll be trying to cope with meddling in-laws or acquaintances, all offering well-meaning advice. That’s exactly what you don’t need. When someone dies, professional help is always welcome. A civil-law notary is there to provide appropriate help and advice.
Certificate of succession
When you report a death to the bank, the bank will ask for a certificate of succession (in Dutch: verklaring van erfrecht). This is a document drawn up by a civil-law notary. It indicates who the heirs are and who is authorised to act as a representative or executor of the will on the heirs’ behalf.
You can always ask a civil-law notary for advice or assistance when administering the estate. A civil-law notary can help with financial or tax matters, and also with a range of practical issues involved in the administration or settlement of estates. Keen to find out more? Contact our office in Nuenen or Eindhoven.
Certificate of executorship
If the deceased appointed an executor in their will, the civil-law notary prepares a certificate of executorship (in Dutch: Verklaring van executele) instead of a certificate of succession. The civil-law notary supports the executor and can serve as a point of contact for difficult heirs or creditors.
It is often wise to leave the final distribution of the estate to the civil-law notary. The notary then pays out the shares in the estate once all the heirs have signed to indicate their agreement. The distribution is then definitive.
The civil-law notary as the executor
If you are keen to avoid any problems between your heirs, you can play it safe by appointing a civil-law notary as the executor of your will. The notary will then manage the settlement of the estate in its entirety, taking care of the distribution of household contents, house clearance and/or sale, and financial management. Once settlement of the estate is complete, the notary explains and justifies the action taken to the heirs. As a result, all the heirs receive their share in the estate without all the hassle that often goes hand in hand with the settlement process.
Emotions run high when someone passes away. Bringing in a neutral party can be very useful. Schäfer Notarissen – we’re here for you.
