The Corona crisis and a will: have you arranged everything properly?
The Corona crisis is the reason for many people to think about their own death earlier. The outbreak of the virus has made us once again aware that life can suddenly end and that it is important to arrange and record our affairs well for later. Have you recently thought about having a will drawn up? This is sensible, because by recording your wishes in a will, fewer unanswered questions are left behind for your next of kin after your death.
What do you record in your will?
When drawing up a will, we often only think of recording the heirs in the first instance. But besides heirs, there are so many other important points you can include in your will.
funeral wishes
You can record your funeral wishes with a funeral company, but also in your will. For example, you specify whether you want to be cremated or buried. It is also possible to record the details of your farewell.
funeral wishes
You can record your funeral wishes with a funeral company, but also in your will. For example, you specify whether you want to be cremated or buried. It is also possible to record the details of your farewell.
Executor
To ensure that your wishes are carried out properly, you can name an executor in your will. You then record the rights and obligations of the executor. This can be from just arranging the funeral or also completely settling and dividing the estate.
If you do not appoint anyone as executor, your heirs are jointly appointed to carry out your funeral wishes. They will also be jointly responsible for the settlement of your estate. This can lead to difficult discussions.
Guardian of minor children
We often think that mainly older people have a will drawn up. But it is also useful for young people and especially parents with minor children to think about a will. In this Corona crisis we are faced with the facts that life is finite. By appointing a guardian in your will, you determine who may take care of and raise your minor child(ren) should you and your partner die.
Heir other than legal heir
If you do not make a will, after your death your inheritance will be divided in the order prescribed by law.
You can also name other heirs in your will. This is very important when you want to name someone other than a child or spouse as an heir. For example, if you want to name a good cause as heir. Or your partner, if you are not married.
Heir other than legal heir
If you do not make a will, after your death your inheritance will be divided in the order prescribed by law.
You can also name other heirs in your will. This is very important when you want to name someone other than a child or spouse as an heir. For example, if you want to name a good cause as heir. Or your partner, if you are not married.
bequest
You can also leave specific items or amounts of money to specific people. For example, the belly cabinet in the hallway to your niece, that one watch to your neighbor or an amount of €10.000 to a person who is dear to you. This is called a legacy. The bequest must be issued by the executor or by the heirs.
bequest
You can also leave specific items or amounts of money to specific people. For example, the belly cabinet in the hallway to your niece, that one watch to your neighbor or an amount of €10.000 to a person who is dear to you. This is called a legacy. The bequest must be issued by the executor or by the heirs.
Is your current will still up-to-date?
Do you have a will? Then we recommend that you periodically check whether it is up-to-date. Because if you had your will drawn up years ago, it could well be that the contents may no longer be correct. For example, have the correct heirs been registered or do you want to make an adjustment here? Perhaps you were married at the time and are now divorced? And did you appoint someone as executor at the time? If you have not yet appointed anyone as executor, it is advisable to think about this. In addition, laws and regulations change from time to time. In short, all the more reason to check your will every now and then to check whether it still corresponds to your wishes. On the website of Notaris.nl (a website of the Royal Notarial Professional Organization) you will find a handy checklist with which you can check whether your wishes still correspond with your current will.
Mr. Hans den Braven
Partiar likes to think along with you
Would you like to know how to properly record your estate or would you like to know more about an executor's appointment? Please contact us for a free consultation.
Our colleague Hans den Braven likes to think along with you and help you to record your wishes.