To the content
Notariaat Wellens
Search

    Need help? Ask us your question →
    Menu
    Old family photos in an album

    Gifting & family · Private agreements

    Assistance with a handwritten will

    Discover our guidance ↓

    To begin with

    ← All private agreements

    You want to write your own will. Does the text say exactly what you mean?

    Legal preparation of your personal last will, with explanation about form and safekeeping.

    Make a non-binding appointmentRequest advice online
    “Explanation is valuable when it provides information the other needs to understand your decision.”
    Paul Wellens

    Your questions, step by step

    Do you want to write your last wishes yourself? We explain what you should pay attention to and can review together whether your text says what you mean.

    Why do I go to the notaire for this?

    That is possible, but errors in form or unclear words can have major consequences. The notaire can assess your text and arrange safekeeping.

    Can I write a testament myself?

    1. Write your testament entirely yourself by hand, date and sign it.

    2. Have your wishes, family details and coherence with earlier testaments checked.

    3. Discuss how the testament is kept and later found.

    How does this proceed and how long does it take?

    A handwritten testament has no general waiting period. When changed, the formal requirements must be observed again.

    Do not hesitate to seek advice in case of urgent health issues.

    Which documents should I provide to the notaire?

    Prepare what you already have. You do not need to wait until your folder is complete to make an appointment.

    Is a document missing or do you not know where to find it? Check the help for each document. We will discuss what the office can obtain for you and what you still need to provide yourself.

    Where can I find this?

    Provide the full text and any amendments. Look in your deed folder or Mijn akten. Not everything is digitally available; if necessary, indicate which office drafted the deed.

    Where can I find this?

    Provide the full text and any amendments. Look in your deed folder or Mijn akten. Not everything is digitally available; if necessary, indicate which office drafted the deed.

    Where can I find this?

    Provide the complete version with date, attachments and later amendments. Do you not have this document or do you not know if it exists? Select “Help needed” and discuss it with the office.

    Where can I find this?

    Provide the complete version with date, attachments and later amendments. Do you not have this document or do you not know if it exists? Select “Help needed” and discuss it with the office.

    Where can I find this?

    Provide the full text and any amendments. Look in your deed folder or Mijn akten. Not everything is digitally available; if necessary, indicate which office drafted the deed.

    These check marks only remain on the opened page and are not sent to the office.

    Open the checklist: ready, need help or not applicable
    What does the notaire do and investigate?
    • Is the text entirely handwritten, dated and signed by you?
    • Are the persons and assets clearly described?
    • Which rights and previous agreements affect your wishes?
    • How is the original document preserved and located?

    We agree on which searches the office will conduct and which information you, your bank or another expert will provide.

    What should I pay attention to before I sign?

    A typed text signed only does not suffice as a handwritten will. Use clear names and have it reviewed to ensure the allocation is enforceable.

    Is a passage still unclear? Feel free to ask for an explanation with an example from your own situation. Only sign when you understand what you are agreeing to.

    What else must I arrange afterwards?

    Carefully preserve the original and discuss depositing it with a notaire. Review the content again if your family or assets change.

    Which practical tips can help me?

    An online example does not know your family and prior agreements. Have the coherence reviewed especially.

    What do these words mean?
    Handwritten will
    a will entirely handwritten, dated and signed by you.
    Revoke
    undo a previous testamentary decision.
    Where can I find more explanation or help?

    You do not have to phrase your question in legal terms. Tell what concerns you, what you want to arrange and if an important date is approaching.

    We will look together at the next step. We agree in advance on how the office will assist you and what costs are involved.

    Ask your question to the officeMake an Appointment

    General explanation for your preparation. The rules and documents that apply to you are determined based on your file.

    On this page

    What does this regulate?

    01 · UNDERSTAND

    We help you clarify your wishes and prepare a legally appropriate text. For a valid handwritten will you must write the final text entirely by hand yourself, date it and sign it. Signing a printout is not sufficient.

    A will is a personal, unilateral disposition and not an agreement between parties. It is included here because you can also come to us for guidance with this private form.

    A RECOGNISABLE SITUATION

    You want to leave a certain amount to your godchild. Among other things, we clarify who you mean and what should happen if that person dies before you.

    What requires attention?

    02 · CHOOSE CONSCIOUSLY

    Your personal will and legal capacity remain essential. Not all wishes can be executed within the protected inheritance rights. We also discuss preservation with the notaire and registration data in the Central Register of Wills.

    Also explain what was agreed earlier and where doubts remain. A regulation can only be appropriately developed if facts and wishes are clear.

    More points to consider for your own situation

    Thin waves move calmly over wet sand.

    03 · YOUR INTENTION

    You do not need to be able to answer all this in advance. Your doubts are also a good starting point.

    Click on a question for an initial explanation or practical tip. You do not need to have an answer to everything yet.

    1. Who do you want to benefit and what do you want to assign?

      Make a list with the names of persons or organisations and what you want to provide for them. Also mention your family and existing agreements; we will then see what is executable.

    2. Can you write the entire text yourself?

      Indicate if writing is difficult due to your health or a disability. Then discuss first which form of will suits you before copying or having a text written.

    3. Is there already a will?

      Bring all older wills or copies, even if you think they are no longer valid. Note what you want to replace and what you want to keep.

    4. What if a beneficiary dies earlier?

      Note who you would wish as a substitute and whether children of the beneficiary may take their place. Have that wish explicitly drafted.

    5. Who can find the document after your death?

      Think of a discoverable, safe preservation. Discuss preservation and registration with the notaire so the document can be found after your death.

    What do we need, and why?

    04 · PREPARATION

    Bring what you already have. We will agree on any additional documents the office needs to request. The final list depends on your file.

    Identity and contact details

    To correctly identify the persons involved and their capacity. Provide identity documents via the channel we agree with you.

    Existing wills and marriage contract

    To align your new wishes with the existing situation.

    Overview family, assets and previous gifts

    To examine the available scope and overlaps.

    Identification of beneficiaries

    To formulate your intention unambiguously.

    Is something missing? Mention it in your application. An initial meeting does not have to wait until you have gathered everything yourself.

    What does NotaLegal do for you?

    05 · GUIDANCE

    We discuss the content, prepare the wording and give instructions for the handwritten writing. Preservation and registration are explicitly agreed with you. If this form is not suitable, we discuss a notarial will.

    You will receive a draft for discussion. We review your questions and agree the final version before signing. Afterwards, we explain which preservation, registration or further execution applies to your document.

    Know in advance what to expect.

    06 · FEES

    You want to know in advance what to expect. That is why we clearly and transparently discuss what work your file requires and what fee applies. We take into account the nature and complexity of your question, the documents to be examined and the time a careful handling requires.

    We discuss your wishes, which information is needed and which guidance suits. We pay attention to the form requirements of the will. If another form of will is appropriate, we first discuss the adjusted assignment and costs.

    Read more

    Pacte adjoint in case of a bank gift Agreements between cohabitants

    Substantive background: notaris.be · Drawing up a will

    General explanation for preparing your meeting. Foreign ties, previous documents and your concrete situation may change the outcome. Sources and legal explanation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    FROM READING TO PREPARATION

    Already a first answer.

    Do I need to know already which deed I need?

    No. Start from what you want to arrange. An existing deed, a draft or your own description helps us ask the right questions. The explanation on this page gives you a first idea of the possibilities; the concrete elaboration follows from your situation.

    What can I prepare now?

    Gather the documents mentioned on this page for preparation. Also note what you want to keep, who is involved and which date is relevant. If you do not yet have everything, mention what is missing at your appointment.

    Can I first have a draft discussed?

    You can submit your question about a draft before proceeding. Indicate if there is a response deadline and provide the complete version, including attachments. We will coordinate with you on the control and guidance you require.

    EASY PREPARATION

    Your checklist: advice on a handwritten will

    Which documents do you prepare, where do you find them and when can the office assist? Indicate what you have and where you need support.

    Open your checklistDownload the checklist (PDF)

    Useful websites on this topic

    RELIABLE CONTINUED READING

    View sources and practical websites

    FROM FIRST QUESTION TO NEXT STEP

    You do not have to figure it out alone.

    1. Your intention

      We discuss what you wish to arrange and who will bear the consequences.

    2. From documents to agreements

      We examine the necessary information and explain the proposed text.

    3. Signing and follow-up

      You decide after explanation. We discuss the completion and where you can find your documents.

    Make an AppointmentAsk your question
    View my preparation

    You save this for your own consultation. The office does not receive anything via this button.

    One office. Guidance that flows seamlessly together.