How can I find out whether a deceased person had a last will and testament that has not been declared to the municipality?

Who can consult the Central Register of Wills?

• notaries, in connection with the settlement of an estate;
• the legal heirs or legatees, through a notary;
• any interested party may also submit a search request to Fednot, but the result will only be sent to the designated notary.

How do I submit a request?

There are two possibilities:

1. a) Through a notary

   The notary directly consults the CRT upon notification of a death or at the request of the heirs.

2. b) Through Fednot

   You can submit a request online or by post. The result is then sent to the chosen notary.

Consultation through a notary

There is no single statutory fee. Ask the notary concerned to find out how much it will cost.

Submitting a direct request to the CRT (Fednot)

Fednot may charge administrative fees for searching. The amounts are not set by law and are subject to change. Fednot provides details on its website.

• The CRT is consulted after the death.
• The CRT’s response is usually quick (within a few days).
• There is no strict legal deadline for opening a will.

NB:

The municipality does not necessarily have to be informed of the existence of a will. Therefore, the will might not appear in the municipal register of last wills and testaments. In some cases, this may result in last wishes not being respected, especially with regard to the method of interment (burial or cremation).

• Code civil (Livre 4 – Successions, Donations et Testaments) : Art. 4.141 et suivants : dispositions relatives aux testaments
• Loi du 16 mars 1803 organisant le notariat : Compétences du notaire et conservation des actes
• Arrêté royal du 25 septembre 1987 : Organisation du Registre Central des Testaments

Municipalities do not have the power to verify the existence of an undeclared will. There is no administrative remedy at municipal level.