ACCESS NL > Relocating to the Netherlands > Legal matters in the Netherlands > Netherlands death registration > Which law of inheritance is valid if my partner or I should die during our stay in the Netherlands? The Dutch law or the law of my home country?

Netherlands death registration

What are the legal aspects to take into account when registering a death in the Netherlands?

Which documents are needed for registering a death?

What to do in order to repatriate the body of a family member?

Do I need to make a Dutch will whilst I live here or is the will I made in my home country valid?

May I disinherit my child or my partner in my will?

Which law of inheritance is valid if my partner or I should die during our stay in the Netherlands? The Dutch law or the law of my home country?

In the Netherlands, you can determine who your heirs are in a will and, in principle; the inheritance is divided according to this will.

If there is no will, the inheritance law will determine who the heirs to the person’s estate are. In general, if the deceased was a resident of the Netherlands, the Dutch inheritance laws are applicable, even if the deceased was a non-Dutch national.
As this is a more complicated matter, it is best to seek advice from a lawyer who is specialised in international law of inheritance.

In the absence of a will, who inherits under the Dutch inheritance law?

Who would take care of the children if something were to happen to both parents?

Do you have a partner but is he/she not officially registered as partner?