Increasing number of Belgians prepare a will

In 2013, the number of wills drawn up in Belgium increased by 36 percent, and the trend is expected to continue in 2014. Not only notaries benefit from the increased interest in estate planning; NGOs and charitable organisations have also noticed a sharp rise in their income from gifted inheritance money, report De Morgen and Het Laatste Nieuws.

"More than ever, people are concerned with estate planning," says Bart Van Opstal, Honorary President of the Royal Federation of Belgian Notaries. “It is striking that more and more young people, between 30 and 40 years old, are already drawing up a will.” According to Van Opstal, this trend is a reflection of modern lifestyles. "It is no longer uncommon for people to marry several times, resulting in many stepfamilies. For them, estate planning is simply a necessity," he says. Moreover, many Belgians see a will as a way to protect their loved ones financially after they are gone.

Another striking trend is the increasing number of Belgians who choose to donate their entire inheritance to charity, from 27 people in 2010 to 51 people in 2013.