Your estate comprises all your assets and debts. In the event of your death, it will pass to your heirs. In your will, you can specify who your heirs are. If you do not have a will, your estate will be distributed according to the law of succession. The Civil Code specifies who can inherit and the order in which your inheritance will go to your surviving relatives. This happens in the following order:
If no blood relatives can be traced, the state will inherit your estate.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Bequests with or without a will"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"You can create a bequest, without creating an entire will. That way, you can transfer parts of your estate to one person, without having them be in your will. Unless, you deviate from the legally appointed heirs, then you must have a will drawn up by a notary. If you want to appoint a guardian, administrator or executor, this must also be specified in your will.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Is it more advantageous to make an advancement than to leave an inheritance?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"From a tax perspective, it may be more advantageous for your surviving relatives to receive an advancement from you before you pass away. This allows you to avoid or reduce inheritance tax. It can also benefit you tax-wise, as it reduces your capital, meaning you may pay less capital gains tax. Furthermore, this way, you can still enjoy the money you leave behind. If your assets are only distributed after your death, you will no longer be able to witness the joy it brings others.
"}},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Making an advancement","intro":"Are you considering making an advancement? Read all about it here.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/3995b4f0-4d10-40c8-a3a4-3eed75784f35/Woman-happily-hold-smiling-child-on-the-beach","type":"image","width":5831,"altTextNL":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/76c74ef71683f1c9/original/Woman-happily-hold-smiling-child-on-the-beach.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/wealth/an-advancement"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Tips for sparing your loved ones"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Arranging your estate ensures your wishes are recorded properly and also ease the burden on your loved ones. You can share and arrange a lot before your passing that spares your loved ones pain.
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Share your wishes for your funeral","richBody":{"value":"Telling your loved ones your wishes for your funeral is only one way, you can also write it down in a codicil. This way you can ensure your wishes are carried out. Considering the cost of a funeral are important, you can choose to insure your funeral or build up a fund yourself by saving or investing.
"}},{"title":"Take a moment to consider the impact of your absence","richBody":{"value":"Think about all your financial matters, such as your mortgage, pension plan, prenuptial agreement or cohabitation contract. Also take a moment to consider your family situation, the development of your assets and your digital legacy.
"}},{"title":"Share other personal matters","richBody":{"value":"Make sure you inform your loved ones of any important matters before you pass away, such as the location of a safe containing valuable possessions.
You can use your will to exclude certain people from your inheritance. For instance, you can disinherit your spouse or children. However, children are always entitled to a legitimate share of the inheritance, regardless of the relationship between parents and children. This means that unless they agree to be disinherited, children are always entitled to a certain portion of the inheritance. A disinherited child can only claim their legitimate share once the surviving spouse or registered partner has died. A disinherited spouse is not entitled to a legitimate portion.
"}},{"title":"What happens if my partner passes away?","richBody":{"value":"When a partner passes away without leaving a will, the surviving partner receives the inheritance according to the statutory distribution set out in inheritance law. This applies if no will has been drawn up, and ensures that the surviving partner is financially well provided for. This means that any other heirs, such as children, do not receive their inheritance immediately, but can claim it once both parents have passed away. In the meantime, they receive an equivalent cash sum to their share of the inheritance.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Also interesting"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Receiving an inheritance","intro":"All the information you need about receiving an inheritance and what you can do with it","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/e26b23c7-19fb-4994-a535-3e63bac81ca5/decease-inheritance-tax-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/242f19b513c440bf/original/decease-inheritance-tax-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/wealth/receiving-inheritance"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Glance at your assets","intro":"Take a fresh glance at your assets. Find out how an advisor can help","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/5fcd7ac7-b7f5-481e-8b7e-cc7533d0fc08/Young-female-professional-at-desk-with-blueprints","type":"image","width":5700,"altTextEN":"\"","altTextNL":"\"","altTextFR":"\"","altTextDE":"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/760c611ec00c588f/original/Young-female-professional-at-desk-with-blueprints.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/wealth/glance-at-your-assets"}}]}]}}}