I love the Dutch inheritance laws.

**Sturdee** · 21st July 2007, 04:48 PM

Unlike here where the government takes all when a person dies a will or without descendants the Dutch law requires that the inheritance be divided amongst the closest blood relatives.

A few years back an distant and unknown relative of mine died without any descendants or a will.

Because my family history has been researched back to 1525 and part of it being available on the internet last year I was contacted to ascertain if I might be related and as such entitled to a share in her estate.

It turns out that she was a granddaugher of my great grandfather and as such half of her estate is divided amongst the living descendants of my great grandfather with the other half going to her fathers side.

As my family side is large and extensive (pre TV and cold winters) my share is only 1/294th of the estate but that still turns out to be 725 euros, and is now available for distribution. Maybe some new tool to buy.

Incidently this is the second inheritance since leaving Holland as a young lad, last year I received $ 1000 from a maiden aunt that also died intestate.

Peter.

**boban** · 21st July 2007, 05:19 PM

So they would have divided up over a million dollars. Pity you have so many relatives Peter.

Your share is just about a Domino. Not bad for nothing.

**Groggy** · 21st July 2007, 05:25 PM

Nice to get a bonus out of the blue.

**Gra** · 21st July 2007, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Groggy

Nice to get a bonus out of the blue.

Would that be delft blue???

Congrats Sturdee

**Sturdee** · 21st July 2007, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by boban

Pity you have so many relatives Peter.

Could have been worse. My great grandfather had twelve children but only three of them still have living descendants. My grandfather had eight children but only seven have living descendants and my father had seven children as well.

Hence net estate / 2 / 3 / 7 / 7 equals my share of 1/294th. Could be worse some only get 1/420th but they are the 14th generation whereas I'm only from the 12th generation in our family.

Then again here the government would steal all of it.

Peter.

**ozwinner** · 21st July 2007, 07:44 PM

Great news Uncle Peter.

Al

**bsrlee** · 21st July 2007, 07:51 PM

Actually, at least in NSW, they have changed the 'Intestate' system and it gets divvied up amongst the nearest relatives - basically intended to save the wife/defacto & kids being chucked out on the street because hubby didn't write a will - in some ethnic groups it is considered VERY bad luck to write a will.

**Burnsy** · 21st July 2007, 07:56 PM

So do you have children and grand children who will also get this amount each?

**Sturdee** · 21st July 2007, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Burnsy

So do you have children and grand children who will also get this amount each?

No. It stops with the first living descendant in that branch, if I was dead it would go to my wife and if she wasn't alive my share would then be divided by my children so they would each get a 1/588th share.

If my line had died out then it would have increased my brothers and sisters share.

Peter.

**Shedhand** · 21st July 2007, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Sturdee

No. It stops with the first living descendant in that branch, if I was dead it would go to my wife and if she wasn't alive my share would then be divided by my children so they would each get a 1/588th share.

If my line had died out then it would have increased my brothers and sisters share.

Peter.

Yer lucky the plane was late.
Signed
The Anonymous Dutch Hitman

**johnc** · 21st July 2007, 11:47 PM

Sturdee,

The state does not claim the estates of those who do not write a will outright. All efforts are also made here to find next of kin and a formula applies as to how it is divided up. In the end if no relatives are found the estate rests with the Government however if a desendant is later discovered the state will still cough up. The work of the state trustee used to be pretty good in this area, and efforts go on for an extended period to locate relo's.

Cheers, John.

**Sebastiaan56** · 23rd July 2007, 08:37 AM

Hi Peter,

being also of Dutch descent this is interesting. Better not tell my family.. nyuk nyuk. Seriously, all the more reason to have a will or leave nothing behind,

Sebastiaan

**Bob38S** · 24th July 2007, 12:32 PM

Likewise, Dutch by birth but Australian by choice" ,

perhaps I should check into the health of any rellies still "over there".

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