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Imagine: you lose someone close to you, and while you are in the middle of grieving, you face a tangle of paperwork, legal procedures and unanswered questions. What did they actually want? Who receives what? And what about access to online accounts? Who should you invite to the funeral and how do you reach them? Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. Many loved ones experience this extra burden, simply because the wishes around farewell and legacy are incomplete or unknown.
The emotional consequences
Research shows that a lack of clarity often leads to conflicts between heirs. Disagreements about distributing possessions, debt issues or unclear wishes can drive families apart. Psychologists emphasise that unnecessary stress can disrupt the grieving process and lead to long-lasting emotional consequences.
Legal and financial consequences
Not clearly documenting your wishes around your farewell and legacy can lead to:
- High costs, such as notary fees, court proceedings and lawyer fees in case of conflicts.
- Lengthy settlement: without a will, heirs need to make decisions together, which can lead to tensions. In some cases, families end up in court.
- Personal risks: when unconditionally accepting an inheritance, an heir can be held liable for outstanding debts. Always pay careful attention to whether there are debts when you are dealing with an inheritance.
Inheritance law without a will
Did you know that almost half of Dutch people do not have a will? This means the law determines who your heirs are. While this seems straightforward on paper, the reality is often different. Consider the following examples:
- Complex family structures: stepchildren or blended families are not automatically recognised as heirs, even though you may wish them to be.
- Disputes over possessions: distributing a legacy is not only about the financial value of possessions, but also about the emotional meaning that objects hold for loved ones. While wills and inheritance law can provide clear guidelines, the emotional value often remains a grey area.
- Unnecessary tensions: heirs share the responsibility for distribution when nothing has been documented. In case of disagreement, this can take months or even years.
Do not have a will yet?
myGoodbye has a unique partnership with Thuisnotaris so all users can easily have a will drawn up online, at competitive rates, suited to your situation. The accompanying consultation worth 99 euros is included with an annual myGoodbye membership.
The hidden risks of your digital legacy
A modern legacy encompasses more than possessions. Social media accounts, photos in the cloud and online subscriptions often remain unmanaged. This can be emotionally burdensome for your loved ones and have financial consequences through ongoing costs or missed credits. Without clear guidelines, legal steps are sometimes needed to gain access. Would you like to know more about how you can arrange your digital legacy? Read an interesting article with practical tips here.
How myGoodbye can help
The myGoodbye app supports you in documenting your wishes regarding emotional, fiscal, legal and financial matters. For example, you can create a guest list in the myGoodbye app of people who should attend your funeral, so your loved ones can inform them directly. This saves your loved ones a lot of hassle and stress.
You can adjust all your wishes wherever and whenever you want, from your mobile phone to your desktop. Everything is stored safely and clearly in one place.
Once you have a myGoodbye membership and have linked trusted contacts to your account, you can be sure that these people can access all the information from your myGoodbye app when it is needed. myGoodbye aims to send this within 8 hours of notification and guarantees it within 12 hours. This way, your loved ones know exactly what mattered to you, what has been arranged and where to find everything. This helps them focus on what truly counts: processing the farewell and cherishing memories.
Additionally, your membership contributes to a good cause. With your membership, you support not only your loved ones, but also the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Foundation, making a difference for others.
Start documenting
Documenting your wishes around farewell and legacy is not something you do in a single day. It is a dynamic process, because your wishes change over the years. The myGoodbye app moves with you by making the process as user-friendly as possible. You can make and save changes wherever and whenever you want. The app also alerts you to things like an outdated will, so you can update it if needed. By documenting all your wishes properly in the myGoodbye app, you give your loved ones something of immeasurable value: peace of mind and clarity. The app is available for download in your App Store or via Google Play.
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