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Power of attorney for an inheritance in Belgium

A power of attorney can help sign, represent or speed things up. It does not replace heirship, the death certificate or the notary's work. If you ask it to do more than that, it will fail you at the worst moment.

Understand the process
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What is a power of attorney really for?

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It is there to sign remotely, represent an heir and keep the file moving when everyone is not in the same place. It does not replace the rest of the inheritance chain.

Why do authentication and translation matter so much?

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Because a Belgian notary needs to read a text he or she can rely on legally. If the power comes from abroad, the authority wants to know where it comes from, who signed it and whether it is still usable.

What does the notary read together with the power?

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The role of the represented person, the proof of death, the family links, sometimes the will and sometimes other decisions or title records. The power is only one link in that chain.

Documents to prepare

  • Power of attorney or mandate signed with perfectly consistent identity details
  • Death certificate and family records establishing the inheritance chain
  • Apostille or legalisation if the power comes from abroad and requires it
  • Sworn translation of the power and the records that will actually be read
  • Verification of the exact role of the represented person before the notary

Steps to follow

  1. Identify the function of the power

    Decide who represents whom, for which exact formality and at what moment in the inheritance process.

  2. Verify the inheritance chain

    Gather the death certificate, family records and other records proving the status of the people involved.

  3. Authenticate and then translate

    If the power comes from abroad, handle its authentication before the sworn translation the notary can rely on.

  4. Present a readable chain to the notary

    Then submit the power together with the other useful records, not as a standalone sheet.

Good to know

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Frequently asked questions

+Is a power of attorney enough to settle the whole inheritance?
No. It can help with signing or representation, but it does not replace heirship or the notary's review.
+Does a foreign power of attorney need an apostille?
Often yes if the country and the applicable route require it. That needs to be checked before translation.
+Will the notary also read the death certificate and family records?
Yes, very often. The power alone is not enough to understand who is allowed to act in the inheritance.
+When should the power be translated?
After you confirm that it is the correct and still relevant record, and after authentication if one is required.
+Can a power fix a blurry family file?
No. If the chain of death, parentage and heirship is blurry, the power will just float in the fog with it.

Official source

Official sources used

The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.

Official sourcee-Justice portal - Inheritance in BelgiumOfficial sourceFPS Foreign Affairs - Notarial deeds and powers of attorney abroadOfficial sourceFPS Justice - National register of sworn translators and interpretersOfficial sourceFPS Justice - Legalisation of sworn translations

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