Testamentary Guardianship in Rijswijk
Testamentary guardianship allows parents in Rijswijk to designate a trusted person as guardian for their minor children via their will upon death. This is essential in Dutch family law and enables residents of the Municipality of Rijswijk to secure their children's future in accordance with their own views on upbringing and care.
Legal Basis of Testamentary Guardianship
The rules on testamentary guardianship are set out in Book 1, Title 15 of the Civil Code (CC). Article 1:307 CC empowers the last surviving parent to appoint a guardian for children under 18 via a notarial deed or will. This ties into parental responsibility under Article 1:247 CC.
Without such an appointment, the sub-district court judge of the District Court Rijswijk intervenes, for instance by appointing a family member (Article 1:309 CC). Court approval is required if the appointing parent lacks authority (Article 1:308 CC). The former Act of 5 July 1956 has been integrated into the CC, prioritizing the child's best interests in line with the CRC.
In Rijswijk, you can get free advice on these rules from The Rijswijk Legal Advice Office.
How Testamentary Guardianship Works in Rijswijk
Parents from Rijswijk start by drawing up a will with a local notary. They can select a primary and substitute guardian, such as a family member or friend. Upon death, the guardian takes effect unless the District Court Rijswijk rules otherwise (Article 1:310 CC).
The guardian must file a confirmation request with the sub-district court judge of the District Court Rijswijk within one month, who assesses whether it serves the child's best interests. In cases of both parents' death, the guardian may collaborate with a second guardian (Article 1:312 CC). For unmarried partners, court approval is required.
Differences with Other Forms of Guardianship
Here is an overview of guardianship forms relevant to Rijswijk:
| Form of Guardianship | Description | Application | Procedure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testamentary guardianship | Parents appoint guardian in will | Death of parent(s) | Will + District Court Rijswijk |
| Statutory guardianship | Automatic for partner/joint authority | Death of one parent | None, unless dispute |
| Extraordinary guardianship | Court appoints guardian | No will or conflict | Application to District Court Rijswijk |
See also our article on Guardianship in Rijswijk.
Practical Examples for Rijswijk
A single parent from Rijswijk appoints her brother as testamentary guardian for her children. After an accident, he assumes care, including inheritance management, avoiding out-of-home placement through the Municipality of Rijswijk.
Or two partners in Rijswijk designate a friend in mutual wills. Upon their deaths, the District Court Rijswijk approves; the guardian then handles school and finances, with court permission for major decisions like emigration.
With divorced parents, conflicts may arise; the District Court Rijswijk then evaluates based on the child's best interests, possibly involving input from children aged 12 and up (Article 1:377 CC).
Rights and Duties of the Testamentary Guardian
The testamentary guardian in Rijswijk has responsibilities with safeguards:
- Care and upbringing: Decisions on school, healthcare, and residence (Article 1:313 CC).
- Finances: Asset management with annual accounts to District Court Rijswijk; major expenditures require approval (Article 1:318 CC).
- Representation: Acting on the child's behalf in legal proceedings.
- Duties: Prioritize the child's interests, avoid self-interest, report periodically. Discharge possible via District Court Rijswijk.
Contact The Rijswijk Legal Advice Office for personalized guidance.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wie erft zonder testament?
Zonder testament erven partner en kinderen eerst. Als geen partner of kinderen: ouders, broers/zussen, etc. volgen de wettelijke erfrechtsregels.
Kan ik alles aan één kind geven?
Ja, je mag met een testament bepalen wie erft. Kinderen hebben echter soms wettelijk recht op een verplicht deel.
Moet ik erfbelasting betalen?
Erfbelasting hangt af van je relatie tot de overledene en de erfenis grootte. Naasten betalen vaak minder.
Hoe lang duurt een erfopvolgingsprocedure?
Dit kan variëren van enkele maanden tot meer dan een jaar, afhankelijk van de complexiteit.
Kan ik een erfenis weigeren?
Ja, je kunt een erfenis weigeren. Dit moet snel na het overlijden schriftelijk aan de rechter worden gemeld.