How to deal with cancelling business after the death of a family member without wanting to inherit

Questioner

My sister-in-law was recently murdered, she was under guardianship with debts. We arranged her funeral as a family. But now the rent and such things have to be cancelled. Meter readings have to be recorded and the house has to be empty. She has 1 adult and 2 minor children who have been living with foster parents for a long time. The eldest is independent. What can we do without being surprised by inheritance? My sister-in-law did not have an official partner at the moment. We would like to cancel things etc. but would rather not come into the house. I hope the question is not too complicated. Thank you very much in advance for your effort

Lawyer

A distinction is made between acts of management and disposal. Terminating a rental property is an act of management. The law links the end of the rental contract to the death of the person. Emptying a property is also possible if the items are stored and not divided. No items may be removed, including personal items. Heirs who wish to reject under these circumstances can still do so.

Questioner

Thank you very much for your quick response. If I understand correctly, we can cancel the rent and water and electricity etc. I hope I can ask a few more things. It is complicated because we had no contact with our sister-in-law at all. That is why we only want to do what is necessary. Are we obliged as a family to empty the house or what happens then? And what should I do with outstanding bills? The guardianship was of course stopped immediately, they still help with some things but I think that will stop at some point. Thank you very much in advance for your previous response

Lawyer

No, you are not obliged to do so. With accounts that are open and a bank account, you can indicate to the bank that the lady has died and that everyone rejects the inheritance. This is also an act of management, just like indicating the fact to the landlord, so you do not have to terminate the lease because then you accept the inheritance, the law regulates the end of the lease. It is then the landlord who will remove the property and deliver it empty. The items are stored until a certain time, there is a company that arranges this (national real estate company). All heirs, including those who take the place such as children, parents and aunts, must also reject the inheritance. An alternative is beneficiary acceptance of the inheritance. In that case, the heirs accept the inheritance under the privilege of a positive estate (so the assets exceed the debts) and you may perform all management and acts of disposal. The settlement thereof is done via the court.