# European notary services and estate planning > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-notary-services-and-estate-planning > Updated: 2026-10-11T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Legal professionals in Germany and the Netherlands are highlighting the role of notaries in estate planning and the management of wills. In Germany, legal experts emphasize that while self-written wills may seem cost-effective, they carry risks of unclear phrasing and formal errors that can lead to inheritance disputes. Utilizing a notary can provide greater legal certainty through consultation, drafting, and registration in the Central Testamentary Register, potentially avoiding the need for survivors to obtain a probate certificate. In the Netherlands, discussions regarding legal planning have focused on providing clarity for families, particularly in contexts such as Alzheimer’s support. While digital platforms can automate preliminary paperwork, Dutch law requires a physical signature before a sworn notary to ensure validity. The Royal Notarial Professional Organization (KNB) notes that the primary value of a notary lies in providing personalized advice and critical questioning that automated systems cannot replicate. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-11: Legal planning and notary services in the Netherlands Discussions in the Netherlands highlight the importance of legal planning for Alzheimer's patients and the limitations of online notary services, which require physical signatures for validity. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/legal-planning-and-notary-services-discussed-in-the-netherlands ### 2026-09-30: Notaries offer legal advantages for estate planning in Germany Notary Bettina Selzer explains that while self-written wills save initial costs, notarized wills provide greater legal security and avoid the need for costly probate certificates for heirs. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/notaries-offer-legal-advantages-for-estate-planning-in-germany --- Cite as: European notary services and estate planning. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-notary-services-and-estate-planning