Living will

Living will

What happens if you are unable to make decisions for yourself? How do you make sure your wishes are respected? And who will take care of your children or your finances if you are unable to do so?

These questions can arise unexpectedly and are critical to your future and the future of your loved ones. A living will is a document that allows you to determine who will represent your interests if you are unable to do so yourself, for example, due to illness or an accident. You decide who will manage your affairs and under what conditions. But it is also an important document in family law: think about arrangements for your partner, children or heirs.

At Delissen Martens, we understand that these are sensitive issues and that the legal consequences can be complex. A lawyer who specializes in living wills can provide valuable assistance. We provide clear explanations and professional guidance in drawing up your living will so that you can look to the future with confidence.

Why a living will?

  • Peace of mind about the future: You decide who will represent your personal and business interests.
  • Protect your assets and your family: Arrange now what may prove invaluable later.
  • Avoid uncertainty and litigation: An advance directive eliminates uncertainty for your loved ones.

Legal guidance from a lawyer for living wills

Drawing up a living will is more than just an administrative task—it requires customization and legal precision. A living will lawyer will discuss your wishes with you and translate them into a solid legal arrangement. This could include medical powers of attorney, financial powers of attorney, or care for minor children.

Have questions or want to learn more about creating a living will? Our family law experts, including an experienced attorney specializing in advance directives, are here to guide you every step of the way.

Petra Beishuizen
Questions about this area of law?
Please contact Petra Beishuizen

Team family law

Sandra Verburgt

Attorney at law/partner

Nicole van Leeuwen

Attorney at law/mediator

Fabian Buizer

Advocaat

Petra Beishuizen

Attorney at law/mediator/partner

The latest

Up to the minute

Friday 9 May 2025

International Marriage: Legal Considerations When Love Crosses Borders

marital property regime

It starts at the beginning: you meet someone special and the next step presents itself: moving in together or getting married. The location and scale of the wedding – whether it's an intimate ceremony in a southern Italian village or a large-scale event in the Netherlands – is often the subject of many conversations. Less discussed, but equally important from a legal perspective, is the matrimonial property regime.

Tuesday 1 April 2025

Living together in the Netherlands: Pension equalization and inheritance law

Pension equalization and inheritance law

This is the third blog in our series Living together in the Netherlands, in which we discuss the legal aspects of pension and inheritance law. Living together involves not only financial arrangements and property ownership, but also pension and inheritance issues. What happens to accrued pension rights in the event of divorce? And is one partner automatically entitled to the estate of his or her ex-partner in the event of death? This blog discusses the legal aspects of pension rights and inheritance law for married couples, registered partners and cohabiting partners.

Monday 24 March 2025

Living together in the Netherlands: Property and legal aspects

Property relations

This is the second blog in our series Living together in the Netherlands, in which we discuss property relations. In addition to financial obligations and alimony, property is an important aspect for cohabitants. What happens to jointly purchased goods or a shared home when the relationship ends? This blog discusses the legal aspects of property relationships for cohabitants and how they can protect themselves legally.

Monday 17 March 2025

Living together in the Netherlands: What are your rights and responsibilities?

Living together

This is the first blog in our series Living together in the Netherlands, in which we discuss current trends and legal developments. More and more couples are choosing to live together without marriage or a registered partnership, but there are legal risks involved. In this series we will highlight the most important issues and pitfalls.