Get a grip on inheritance laws at free ING event on 30 November

Many expats living in Belgium don’t think about inheritance laws, although they affect nearly all of us at one point. From recognised inheritors to taxes to whether or not you need a will, the laws governing inheritance can be perplexing, making it hard to take concrete decisions.

On top of that, inheritance laws have recently changed in Belgium. So what you once knew might no longer be the case. That’s why ING is hosting Estate Planning in Belgium and the New Inheritance Law, a free English-language event for expats, on 30 November.

Belgium’s original inheritance laws were founded on the basis of the Napoleonic Code, so a thorough re-evaluation of the laws was certainly needed. Now it’s up to the expert financial advisors speaking at the event to make sure we’re all on the same page.

One of the most important changes in the new legislation regards the percentage required to be left to a surviving spouse and/or children. To help us understand all the ramifications of that, Frederic Helsen and Alexander Caudron of Berquin Notaries will present the talk Civil and Practical Aspects of the New Inheritance Rules.

Next up will be Marc Quaghebeur of De Broeck, Van Laere and Partners on How to Minimise the Inheritance Tax Under the New Rules. Quaghebeur is a well-respected tax lawyer in Brussels with a great number of expat clients. He is also a regular contributor to The Bulletin.

Finally, Dave Deruytter, head of ING’s non-residents division, will talk to the crowd about Financial Tax Planning Priorities. Although financial planning can feel like a daunting task, the tax benefits associated with arranging your assets can be more far-reaching than you think.

30 November 18.00-20.30, ING Bank, Cours Saint Michel 40, Brussels (Etterbeek). The event is free, but registration is required