Estate planning with the notary in Ghent
Estate planning means arranging in advance what happens to your assets, with the first aim of protecting your loved ones.
At Verschaffel & Callens, associated notaries in Ghent, the notary explains which instruments exist to arrange your assets: a gift, a will and a lasting power of attorney.
Two notaries lead the office: notary Pierre Verschaffel and notary Ward Callens. On this page you can read what each instrument involves and how to get started. Send the office a message via Ask for advice.
What does the notary do when you sell a house?
Immediately after a death, you have the death certified and register it with the civil registrar.
There are three reasons to plan ahead:
According to notaris.be (consulted on 12 October 2026), a doctor comes to certify the death if your loved one dies at home.
You choose a funeral director yourself. According to notaris.be, the funeral director takes over much of the paperwork. You receive an extract of the death certificate. notaris.be also recommends asking for several copies of the extract.
You then contact a notary. The notary checks whether the deceased made a will.
Three rules apply to the partner.
According to notaris.be, the surviving spouse always inherits the usufruct of the family home with its household goods and furniture.
You choose a funeral director yourself. According to notaris.be, the funeral director takes over much of the paperwork. You receive an extract of the death certificate. notaris.be also recommends asking for several copies of the extract.
You then contact a notary. The notary checks whether the deceased made a will.
A question about your situation?
Each step requires a different deed or declaration, and the notary explains which one you need. On the contact page you will find the email addresses of notary Pierre Verschaffel and notary Ward Callens. More information about inheritance is available on notaris.be. Send the office a message and ask for advice.