Rest in Peace: the Second Edition

This is the second edition ofĀ Rest in Peace, a Guide to Wills and Inheritance tax in Belgium.

After four years an update was long overdue. There have been many changes, in Belgium and abroad, with new inheritance tax rates and rules, the European Succession Regulation, etc…

Estate planning is not just about drawing up a will and finding ways to minimise taxes.
It is essentially aboutĀ peace of mind.

Smart estate planning can be complex, and if you need to plan across borders, that can be quite daunting.

Rest in Peace, A Guide to Wills and Inheritance Tax in Belgium

byĀ Marc Quaghebeur, Tax Lawyer

This book is probably the first book in English on the subject.

It is an accessible, easy-to-understand introduction to estate planning, in the hope that it will get you started on planning your estate.

TheĀ purpose of this book is to dissipate someĀ misunderstandings and avoid some trapsĀ help you plan your estate.

GivenĀ the complex maze of laws (civil law, inheritance law, tax laws and inheritance tax, social security laws, etc), it is recommended that you work with an experienced estate planning lawyer or notary. Even then, if you have to take account of the laws of one or more countries, a small misstep or oversight mayĀ be very problematic and you may need a lawyer in another country to help you. This book will help you ask the correct questions from your advisers.

The book is available fromĀ Amazon,Ā atĀ Sterling BooksĀ and atĀ Waterstoneā€™sĀ in Brussels.

This book is for you ifĀ you live in Belgium and

  • you want to understand how the rules work and what mistakes to avoid;
  • you want to draw up a valid will;
  • you live in Belgium and you want to plan your estate in an efficient way;
  • you want to know what happens when you inherit from your parents in Greece;
  • your children live in other countries;
  • you have property in other countries;
  • you have investments and bank accounts in other countries;
  • your parents have set up a trust for your benefit.

This book isĀ alsoĀ for you if you do not live in Belgium and

  • you own property in Belgium;
  • you stand to inherit from someone who died in Belgium and
  • you need to understand whether you should accept or waive the inheritance;
  • you consider retiring in Belgium;
  • you are an official of an international institution and you live temporarily in Belgium;
  • you plan your estate and one or more of your children live in Belgium.

This book can help you make sound decisions that could help your loved ones when you are gone.

Table of contentsĀ for a previewĀ on Amazon

Dealing with death
Who inherits what?
Last will and testament
Forced heirship
Usufruct
Community property
Inheritance tax
Cross border successions
The art of estate planning
Plan in your will
Plan by donating
Change your marriage contract
Plan with life insurance
Planning by contract
Trusts and foundations
Plan your life
Practical planning
Annexes