A Difficult Inheritance
Alex, Richard, and Jessica endured a challenging childhood marked by a strained relationship with their father, Jan. They describe him as a stern and, at times, abusive figure, a stark contrast to the image presented by his later partner, Astrid.Richard, who developed PTSD consequently of his experiences, recalls physical altercations, saying, “I really thought: he breaks me.” He also notes a disturbing pattern of recognizing similar behaviors in himself, contributing to his decision not to have children. Jessica and Alex corroborate a difficult home life, while their half-sister, Barbara, recounts a different experience – not abuse, but an unsettling physical presence that she preferred not to discuss. As they grew older, contact with their father dwindled.
The siblings’ feelings were complex when they learned of Jan’s illness and subsequent decision to pursue euthanasia in 2020. Richard admitted, “I really thought: it’s over.” While not experiencing deep grief,they hoped to finally close that chapter of their lives,but the process of settling their father’s estate proved unexpectedly elaborate.
The estate’s management fell to Astrid, who, according to the siblings, actively sought to isolate them from Jan. After his death, Astrid’s lack of cooperation stalled the inheritance process. The situation became further entangled when the children discovered, via Instagram, that Astrid had remarried to René and that he had moved into their childhood home. Tragically,Astrid died shortly after due to complications from surgery.
A year passed with no progress, prompting the siblings to seek assistance in resolving the matter. René,now a widower,expressed a willingness to cooperate,admitting he was unfamiliar with the details of the estate and facing financial difficulties. With the help of criminal lawyer Sabien Kneepkens, the estate was finally settled. Alex, Richard, and René each received €9,500, bringing a long-awaited conclusion to a difficult and protracted process. Alex expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am fully content about it, so a nice bow can be around.”
This case echoes a previous story featured in Where is my legacy, following Jos, Rita, and their brother Henk as they navigated the complexities of their father’s estate and uncovered a surprising revelation.
