I do not know where to begin
Documents already exist, but you are unsure whether they work together or which issue deserves attention first.
Relevant routesDutch estate planning · 9 routes
Find the right route for your family and capital
Your starting point is the situation that needs a decision. We connect family objectives, assets, authority and countries before defining the documents and specialists required.
02
Place in the overall system
Choose the outcome
The relevant service follows from the family decision and the dependencies that still need to be validated.
View the full routeRoute map
Find your starting point
A family may recognise itself in several situations. Begin with the one where delay or uncertainty creates the greatest practical risk.
Protect my family
You need clarity on ownership, succession or authority during absence or incapacity.
Relevant routesTransfer capital during my lifetime
You are considering a gift, family loan or pooled family capital without weakening your own resilience.
Relevant routesPrepare the business for succession
The company depends on its founder, while value, voting rights and management need an orderly route forward.
Relevant routesCoordinate several countries
Family members, property, a company or another structure span jurisdictions and need one coordinated view.
Relevant routesCompare all nine services
What each service solves — and where its boundary lies
This makes the value and limits of each route visible and shows when several services should work together.
Estate and control system review
Do family, assets, authority, liquidity and countries work as one coherent system?
- Fits when
- The family already has documents, assets or structures, but no single view, order of decisions or clear owners for the next steps.
- Does not solve by itself
- This is a diagnostic and action plan. It does not replace a will, power of attorney or specialist opinion.
- Often combined with
- Common entry point: the review identifies which of the other eight routes are genuinely needed.
Marriage, partnership and ownership
What does each person actually own, and what falls within the estate perimeter?
- Fits when
- You need to confirm who owns each asset, which claims exist between partners and what will actually form part of the estate.
- Does not solve by itself
- The review does not itself change the marital regime, legal title or a will.
Will and family continuity
Does the default outcome match the family’s intentions?
- Fits when
- The family needs to align protection of a partner, the position of children, execution of the will and the future of the business.
- Does not solve by itself
- A will does not create lifetime authority and does not replace a company succession plan.
Authority during incapacity
Who can act during absence or incapacity — and on what legal basis?
- Fits when
- Someone must be able to act lawfully if a founder or partner is absent or loses capacity.
- Does not solve by itself
- Lifetime authority does not identify heirs or replace the corporate plan for a death event.
Lifetime giving plan
How much can the personal reserve withstand, and what must be maintained each year?
- Fits when
- You want to support children or transfer assets while retaining enough capital for living costs, care and an adverse scenario.
- Does not solve by itself
- A transfer plan does not create governance for pooled family capital and does not promise a tax saving.
Family fund and family governance
Does the family need pooled capital — or rules without a fund first?
- Fits when
- Capital should remain pooled and the family needs clear rules for decisions, distributions, exits and generational change.
- Does not solve by itself
- A fund may be excessive for a straightforward gift and does not replace a review of a foreign structure.
Owner-director and business succession control
Who receives value, voting power and management authority — and when?
- Fits when
- The company depends on its founder, children have different roles, and value, voting rights and management should not move together by default.
- Does not solve by itself
- The plan does not guarantee tax relief and does not by itself solve estate-liquidity needs.
Real estate and cross-border estates
How should people, assets, documents and procedures across several countries be coordinated?
- Fits when
- People, property, a company, bank accounts or documents are connected with several countries.
- Does not solve by itself
- A general map does not determine foreign law; local counsel confirms the position in each jurisdiction.
Foreign trust and foundation special situations
Does the foreign structure do what the family expects it to do in the Netherlands?
- Fits when
- The family already has, or is seriously considering, a foreign trust, private foundation or comparable structure.
- Does not solve by itself
- This is not the usual starting point for a Dutch estate plan or family fund.
- Often combined with
- 06 · Family fund and family governance, 08 · Real estate and cross-border estates