Preventive legal advice for family law and inheritance law

What does preventive legal advice mean?

Preventive legal advice involves seeking legal counsel before a problem or dispute arises. In many cases, this helps to prevent misunderstandings and make well-considered decisions. The advice is focused on structure and strategy, not on conducting legal proceedings.

Why preventive advice is important

Many legal issues arise gradually. Consider family agreements, inheritances, or international situations where the rules are complex. By consulting in a timely manner, choices can be aligned with the correct legal frameworks. Lawyers often pay attention to the following aspects:

• interests of children or heirs
• legal validity of agreements or documents
• international jurisdiction and applicable law
• possible tax or inheritance consequences

When is preventive legal advice useful?

In many cases, preventive advice is valuable during changes in personal or financial situations, such as:

• drafting agreements within a relationship or family
• receiving or distributing an inheritance
• international relocation or marriage
• change of first name or identity
  In such situations, we assess which rules apply and which steps are advisable.

How does preventive legal advice work?

Intake and exploration of questions

During an introductory meeting, the situation and goals are discussed.

Legal analysis

The lawyer assesses the relevant frameworks, documents, and risks.

Advice and scenarios

Clients receive a clear overview of options, consequences, and follow-up steps.

Strategic guidance

If desired, further guidance can be provided during appointments, negotiations, or mediation.

Practical scenarios

• Consultation: for families who want to record agreements before a divorce.
• Mediation: in inheritance matters where family members seek preventive clarity.
• Legal proceedings: in some cases, early advice leads to avoiding legal proceedings.
• International: for expats who want to know which law applies to marriage or estates.

Examples from our Practice

Will check before it is too late

Two partners in good health sought preventive advice regarding their Will. Our lawyers noticed that provisions regarding executorship and the distribution of the estate did not align properly. By making timely adjustments, they prevented a later inheritance conflict between the children and heirs.

Prenuptial agreements with a practical perspective

While preparing for a marriage involving significant assets, a couple sought advice on their prenuptial agreement. A lawyer with experience in divorce cases pointed out common mistakes, such as failing to exclude certain settlement clauses. Through this preventive advice, their arrangement became clear and future-proof.

International estate arranged in advance

A Dutch expat living abroad wanted to know which law applied to his future estate. By having the applicable jurisdiction assessed preventively, he was able to align his Will and estate planning correctly with the international context.

Family agreements on custody and access

A couple with young children wanted to make agreements about custody and access before their divorce to maintain a stable situation for the children. Through preventive consultation and legal guidance, they were able to draft a parenting plan that held up later in the legal proceedings. This prevented uncertainty and legal discussion afterwards.