FURTHER EXPLANATION · 2 MIN READ
A conversation you don’t have to postpone
In the first half of 2026, 92,026 extrajudicial protection mandates were registered in Belgium. Behind that figure lies a very recognizable question: who can take over practical matters if you can no longer manage them yourself? Thinking about this can be done at any ordinary moment, long before anything becomes urgent.
An extrajudicial protection mandate allows you to designate someone in advance to perform certain acts on your behalf. You discuss which powers you grant and when they may be exercised. At the time you give the mandate, you must still be legally capable.
Trust becomes clearer with agreements
"My daughter takes care of everything" sounds simple. But do you mean daily payments, management of investments, or also decisions about real estate? These are different questions. By discussing them separately, the person you choose better understands what you expect from them.
Example: one child lives nearby and handles administration, another is good at overseeing larger expenses. Bring up those practical differences. You don’t need to have a definitive division of tasks after the first conversation. It already helps to know where support is needed and who is available.
Form and registration also matter
An extrajudicial protection mandate that must remain effective in the event of later incapacity must be registered in time with the Central Mandate Registry. Simply keeping a document at home does not provide the same protection. The content, the chosen acts, and the required form must align.
Also ask what happens if your first choice is not available. And how those involved keep an eye on important decisions. Such questions make the arrangement usable in everyday life. Discuss medical wishes separately with your doctor; a general arrangement about financial matters does not automatically address those questions.
What to bring to our meeting?
Note who you would like to appoint, which assets or ongoing matters need attention, and where you have doubts. Bring existing mandates and other relevant arrangements. You do not need to write a legal draft.
Notariaat Wellens translates your wishes into appropriate powers and safeguards and arranges the necessary registration. We also discuss when a later amendment may be sensible, for example after a change in your family. This ensures the arrangement remains aligned with those you can truly count on.