Blog

8 October 2026

What if a will is never signed – does the deceased’s wishes still count?

A will makes it possible to depart from the standard rules of inheritance law, also known as intestate succession. Anyone who wants to arrange their estate differently from what the law prescribes must go through a notary. A will is only legally valid once it has been officially signed in the presence of the notary and executed by the notary. But what if that signature never takes place? Can a draft will still be decisive?

9 July 2026

What happens to your assets when your partner passes away? And what are your rights as the surviving partner?

It’s not a pleasant subject, but it is an important one: what happens to your shared possessions when your partner dies? Are you automatically well protected, or do you need to take steps yourself to secure your position?

29 April 2026

Estate mediation: moving forward together

In practice, we often see tensions or disputes arise during the settlement of an estate. This is entirely understandable: in addition to legal aspects, family relationships and expectations also play a role.

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.

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.

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.

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”).

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”).

12 May 2025

How Do You Become the Legal Father of Your Child?

The biological parents of a child are those whose DNA the child carries. The legal parents are the child’s recognised family members under the law. In this blog, we briefly explain how a man becomes — or can become — the legal father of a child.