Living Will

A living will is a notarial deed in which you record who manages your affairs when you can no longer do so yourself due to illness, accident or incapacity. It is fundamentally different from a will, which only takes effect after death.

Difference from a regular will

A will is about what happens to your possessions after death. A living will arranges what happens during your life when you can no longer make decisions yourself. Think of financial matters, medical decisions and personal wishes.

What do you arrange in a living will?

In a living will, you appoint one or more authorized representatives. You can separately appoint an authorized representative for financial matters (banking, taxes, real estate) and for medical decisions (treatment wishes, admission, resuscitation).

You can also record personal wishes, such as who takes care of your pets, what care you want to receive and whether you want to be cared for at home or in an institution.

Power of attorney

The living will contains a power of attorney: the legal authority for someone else to act on your behalf. Without a living will, the court must appoint an administrator or mentor, which is time-consuming and costly.

Costs

A living will costs approximately €300 to €600 at the notary. Often a discount is given if you have it drawn up together with a regular will. It is a one-time investment that can prevent many problems.

When to create one?

It is wise to create a living will when you are an adult — not just at an older age. An accident can happen at any age. Discuss it with your partner and loved ones.