Statutory succession applies if the testator has not made a disposition of property upon death. In the Netherlands, the surviving spouse has a stronger position. Together with the children of the deceased, they form the first order group. The spouse's right of succession is dealt with separately in our Article on the inheritance rights of the surviving spouse in the Netherlands treated.
The testator's parents and siblings are in the group of the second order. Then come the grandparents (third order) and the great-grandparents (fourth order).
Within a group, the entitled persons inherit in equal shares, Art. 4:11 para. 1 BW. If a beneficiary predeceases the deceased, his share passes to his descendants (right of subrogation), Art. 4:12 para. 1 BW. This right of succession applies without restriction, but only in the first order. Half-siblings (second order) do not take the place of their parents in full, but receive half of the inheritance share of the full sibling.
Example: Spouses M and F live under the statutory matrimonial property regime. They have two children together. M dies without having made a will.
As there is one spouse, he or she receives ownership of the entire estate. The children only receive a payment claim, which is only due at the time of the spouse's death and must be paid by the spouse's heirs. If you have any further questions, please contact your specialist inheritance lawyer in Düsseldorf and Krefeld, Dr Michael Gottschalk.