8 March 2019

Inheritance Day 2019 – what it is and why it matters

By Sieta Autar-Matawlie

Friday, March 22 is Inheritance Day 2019 in the Netherlands.

On this day, you can get free information and advice about Dutch inheritance law and how it applies to your situation.

This post was reviewed and updated on 13 October 2020

What is Inheritance Day?

Inheritance Day is a (Dutch) national initiative that was started by VEAN, the Association of Dutch Inheritance Lawyers. Each year, inheritance law firms around the country open their doors to the public and provide free advice and answers to questions about inheritance law in the Netherlands.

Inheritance Day offers an opportunity for anyone who wants to know more about settling an inheritance in the Netherlands, or has other questions relating to inheritance and estate planning.

What are the issues when settling an estate?

There is a lot to consider when settling an estate. What is the first step? Is there a will? Are you an heir and, if so, how can you accept or reject the estate? Have you been appointed as executor for an estate and need to learn what your duties and powers are? Is there a disagreement with other heirs?

You can get answers to these and other inheritance-related legal questions during your advice session.

Why hire a lawyer?

If you are dealing with the settlement of an estate, it is wise to call in a legal expert who can advise you about your rights and obligations, and how to best protect your interests. Such an expert can assist you in settling an inheritance, and can also litigate for you if necessary.

If you are an expat living in the Netherlands dealing with an international inheritance, then it’s even more important to get legal advice from an expert you can trust.

Legal advice you can trust

GMW lawyers has a team of specialised inheritance law experts who can assist you on Inheritance Day. Our inheritance lawyers can both advise and litigate in extensive and complex national and international inheritance cases.

This includes help with topics such as the division / liquidation of an (digital) estate, usufruct, powers and dismissal of the executor, determination of the statutory portion, as well as, for example, obtaining information in order to determine the amount of the balance of the estate.

GMW lawyers will be happy to answer all your questions in the field of inheritance law; please contact us.

 

 

Sieta Autar-Matawlie

Lawyer / associate partner / estate planner / executeur

Related blogs

Previous slide
Next slide

19 March 2026

I have been disinherited. What am I entitled to?

Being confronted with disinheritance can raise both emotional and legal questions. You may wonder whether you are no longer entitled to any part of the estate. Under Dutch law, the short answer is: not necessarily. In certain cases, you may still retain a statutory right to part of the estate even if you have been disinherited. Below, we explain how this works.

Read more

Read more about

16 March 2026

16 March 2026: Inheritance Law Day

On Monday, 16 March 2026, it is Inheritance Law Day. To mark the occasion, you can schedule an appointment with one of the specialised lawyers at GMW lawyers during the coming week to receive free information and advice on inheritance law.

Read more

Read more about

11 March 2026

How can you prevent an inheritance from ending up with your child’s partner?

When drawing up a will, consideration is given to how the inheritance will be distributed. This is recorded in the will. A possible wish is to ensure that your future inheritance does not end up with your child’s partner.

Read more

Read more about

15 October 2025

The statutory share and rejection of an inheritance

When someone rejects an inheritance, this usually means they waive all entitlements, including their statutory share (“legitieme portie”).

Read more

Read more about

28 July 2025

The statutory share and rejection of an inheritance

When someone rejects an inheritance, this usually means they waive all entitlements, including their statutory share (“legitieme portie”).

Read more

Read more about
All articles