The number of wills registered in the first nine months of 2024 increased by 5.2% compared to the same period last year, according to a report published by the Federation of Notaries (Fednot) on Monday.
The number of inheritance agreements and changes to marriage contracts is also on the rise, illustrating the growing interest of Belgians in planning their estate.
In the first nine months of 2024, notaries' offices registered 59,727 wills, according to figures from Fednot. 56,740 wills were registered during the same period in 2023.
Existing marriage contract modifications also saw an increase. From January to September 2024, 22,654 modifications were registered, compared to 19,196 in the same period in 2023.
"Older couples are primarily the ones who modify their marriage contracts," said Sylvain Bavier, a notary and spokesperson for notaires.be. "They generally do so for estate planning to offer extra protection to their partners. Younger couples often amend their marriage contracts upon the birth of their first child," he added.
Inheritance agreements have also gained popularity in 2024. In the first nine months of the year, 4,718 inheritance agreements were registered in Belgium, a 3.6% increase from 2023.
This mechanism, introduced in 2018, offers families various options for managing their inheritance. It includes all heirs in the discussions, including stepchildren and grandchildren. Such agreements ensure that all parties feel fairly treated, helping to correct imbalances and avoid future conflicts.
