More and more Belgians are getting a will drafted by a notary. Last year, more than 82,215 wills were registered in Belgium. This is a rise of almost 4% on 2024 and 20% more wills than were registered in 2021. The figures come from a report published by the Notaries’ federation Fednot on Wednesday.
Of the more than 82,000 wills registered in the Central Register of Wills that is managed by Fednot, almost 70% (57,004) were registered by people living in Flanders.
Meanwhile, despite accounting for just over 30% of the population, wills registered by people living in Wallonia accounted for just 24.99% of the total, while wills registered by people living in the Brussels-Capital Region accounted for 5.68%.
Sylvain Bavier of the notary website notaris.be says that it is quite logical that a growing number of people are opting to draw up a will. Mr Bavier, adds that a will is the idea tool for maintaining control over your estate within the confines of the law.
People getting wills drawn up at a younger age
Under Belgian inheritance law the children and spouse of the deceased are automatically entitled to a share of the inheritance. What is left can be bequeathed to friends, other family members, charities or associations. If no will has been drawn up the inheritance is distributed ‘in accordance with the law”, Sylvain Bavier says. Last year, the average age of people that got a will drafted was 63. This is down from 65 in 2024.
Fednot says that “Anyone that fears that the contents of their will may be contested by one or more of their heirs would be wise to opt for a will drawn up by a notary. This kind of will is secure and indisputable”.
Fednot strongly advises against the use of AI when drafting a will. “AI knows nothing about people's wishes, sensitivities or history. Even a will that seems valid at first glance does not automatically guarantee that everything run go smoothly at the time of death”.