What is estate planning and why might I need it?

Estate planning traditionally focuses on tax and inheritance matters, using legal instruments such as marriage contracts, gifts, wills, and more recently, powers of attorney. While these remain central, estate planning increasingly serves as a gateway to broader conversations about personal and family goals. Your estate planner becomes a trusted adviser: someone who supports you through key life stages and, in many cases, across generations. This relationship often extends beyond legal or tax optimization, offering guidance tailored to your evolving needs.

When should I start estate planning?

The best time to start is as early as possible. Estate planning is relevant at every major milestone: choosing a marital regime, purchasing property, launching a business, or building an investment portfolio. Early engagement allows time to build a relationship of trust and to develop long-term, holistic strategies. Our estate planners work closely with private bankers and financial experts to ensure your wealth management remains aligned with your personal objectives.

Can estate planning help in cross-border situations?

Certainly. Our estate planning team has deep expertise in both national and international wealth structuring. We take a comprehensive view of your situation and adapt your plan as life circumstances change, for example, if a child relocates abroad or you acquire property in another country. Thanks to our international network, we can guide you through cross-border legal and tax complexities, ensuring your estate is structured efficiently and in line with your goals.

What are clients' main objectives in estate planning?

Legal certainty is a top priority for many clients. While tax efficiency remains important, there is growing emphasis on long-term sustainability and stability. A well-structured and well-documented estate helps prevent future disputes, including with tax authorities, and provides peace of mind. Younger generations also value transparency and clarity. A structured estate plan supports intergenerational understanding and continuity.

What role does a power of attorney play in estate planning?

A power of attorney (often referred to as a health care proxy) is a legal tool that allows you to appoint someone to manage your financial or personal affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. This authority can cover a wide range of responsibilities, including the ability to make donations on your behalf.

Does Degroof Petercam have expertise in other related areas?

Yes, we offer the expertise to support your wealth planning: Philanthropy: whether you're considering making a donation or establishing your own foundation, we provide guidance from initial concept through to implementation, in partnership with the Degroof Petercam Foundation.

What is estate planning and why might I need it?

Estate planning traditionally focuses on tax and inheritance matters, using legal instruments such as marriage contracts, gifts, wills, and more recently, powers of attorney. While these remain central, estate planning increasingly serves as a gateway to broader conversations about personal and family goals. Your estate planner becomes a trusted adviser: someone who supports you through key life stages and, in many cases, across generations. This relationship often extends beyond legal or tax optimization, offering guidance tailored to your evolving needs.

When should I start estate planning?

The best time to start is as early as possible. Estate planning is relevant at every major milestone: choosing a marital regime, purchasing property, launching a business, or building an investment portfolio. Early engagement allows time to build a relationship of trust and to develop long-term, holistic strategies. Our estate planners work closely with private bankers and financial experts to ensure your wealth management remains aligned with your personal objectives.

Can estate planning help in cross-border situations?

Certainly. Our estate planning team has deep expertise in both national and international wealth structuring. We take a comprehensive view of your situation and adapt your plan as life circumstances change, for example, if a child relocates abroad or you acquire property in another country. Thanks to our international network, we can guide you through cross-border legal and tax complexities, ensuring your estate is structured efficiently and in line with your goals.

What are clients' main objectives in estate planning?

Legal certainty is a top priority for many clients. While tax efficiency remains important, there is growing emphasis on long-term sustainability and stability. A well-structured and well-documented estate helps prevent future disputes, including with tax authorities, and provides peace of mind. Younger generations also value transparency and clarity. A structured estate plan supports intergenerational understanding and continuity.

What role does a power of attorney play in estate planning?

A power of attorney (often referred to as a health care proxy) is a legal tool that allows you to appoint someone to manage your financial or personal affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. This authority can cover a wide range of responsibilities, including the ability to make donations on your behalf.

Does Degroof Petercam have expertise in other related areas?

Yes, we offer the expertise to support your wealth planning: Philanthropy: whether you're considering making a donation or establishing your own foundation, we provide guidance from initial concept through to implementation, in partnership with the Degroof Petercam Foundation.

Wealth and Succession Planning

Our Wealth and Succession planning offers peace of mind

Entrust the management and transfer of your wealth to experienced professionals. We provide legal and tax solutions tailored to your unique needs, helping you look to the future with confidence.

From safeguarding your personal and professional assets to structuring their transfer to the next generation, we deliver bespoke strategies that reflect your vision and values.

Our multidisciplinary approach, underpinned by strong ethical standards, makes Bank Degroof Petercam one of Belgium's leading private banks. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to building lasting relationships based on trust and continuity.

You can rely on us for:

Personalised legal guidance

In-depth tax analysis

Strategic wealth structuring

Discover how we can support you at every key stage of life.

Schedule an appointment

Your interests,
our solutions

Estate planning goes beyond managing an investment portfolio or settling an estate. Your objectives change over time. Your family is unique. That is why we prioritise a long-term partnership founded on trust. This allows us to provide solutions that reflect your wishes.

We offer a full range of legal, tax, and financial services to help build and transfer your wealth.

Well-structured estate planning provides our clients with peace of mind. Our experts help define the key elements of their plans and ensure the best conditions for transferring their wealth.

Our experts

by your side

A dedicated team works closely with you to devise solutions that meet both your family and professional needs.

Private Banker
Your principal adviser and confidant
Portfolio Manager
Your investment specialist
Estate Planner
Your expert in succession planning and wealth structuring

We keep you informed about legal and tax developments that may affect your position. Working with your notary, solicitor, or accountant, we ensure your wealth is managed and transferred in a structured, tax-efficient way.

Estate Planning services

Around twenty estate planning professionals are ready to guide you. We have the expertise needed to answer all your questions. With practical experience as solicitors, consultants, tax advisors, notary clerks, or estate planners, our experts combine technical knowledge with hands-on insight.

Philanthropy

Thinking of donating to charity or creating your own foundation? We can help make your philanthropic ambitions a reality. With the support of the Degroof Petercam Foundation, we guide you from the initial idea to its implementation: donation, (duo) legacy, named fund, or private foundation.

Family Governance

Do you often consider the future of your family business? Our approach is as unique as your family's values. Together, we define your principles and objectives. The governance rules we establish help secure the long-term future of your business and preserve family harmony.

Corporate and Business law

Explore our solutions to help reduce your company's tax burden. We link your professional and personal assets while ensuring all legal and tax implications are considered.

Art advisory

Explore our services to help protect, manage, and transfer your art collection. Our services help protect, manage, and transfer your art collection. Art is more than an investment, it's a passion. Our independent art experts provide guidance on acquisition, valuation, insurance, conservation, and transfer, ensuring your collection is preserved for future generations.

International taxation

National and international tax law is becoming ever more complex. Our team supports you with cross-border estate planning. Degroof Petercam's expertise extends beyond Belgium, thanks to collaboration with estate planners in other countries where we are active.

French-Belgian Expertise

Do you have interests in both France and Belgium? Our international experts support you and your family in both private and professional estate planning.

Discover our unique services for French residents, French residents in Belgium, and Belgian residents with property in France:

estate planning