KNOWLEDGE BASE · INTERNATIONAL ESTATES

Who may be involved in an international estate?

An estate with an international dimension may require several kinds of expertise. What is needed depends on the case.

The notary

A notary may need to establish who the heirs are and who is authorised to act in relation to the estate. When relevant people or information are abroad, additional international research may be needed.

The international heir researcher

International heir research can help when a possible heir emigrated, when it is unclear whether someone is still alive, when possible descendants are unknown or when relevant foreign records are missing. Archives, public registers, genealogical sources, historical information and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) may be combined.

The inheritance lawyer

A specialist inheritance lawyer may become involved where legal advice or a dispute arises concerning a will, administration or distribution of an estate, an executor or the position of heirs.

Vereniging Erfrecht Advocaten Nederland (VEAN) →

International document specialists

International estates may also require sworn translations, apostilles, legalisations or other formal document procedures. Through her work as co-director of Esperanto WBT, Annemiek Berends-Wagner has many years of experience with foreign civil-status records, wills, powers of attorney and other legal documents.

Esperanto WBT →

When no heirs are known

International Heir Research carries out research into possible international heirs for the Unclaimed Estates department of the Dutch Central Government Real Estate Agency (Rijksvastgoedbedrijf).