Sara Lefebvre: Expert in Family Law & Family Wealth Law at De Groote – De Man

From Marital Property Law to Inheritance Law

Sara’s career began with a focus on marital property law, a logical step toward her later specialization in inheritance law. “When a married person dies, the marital property must first be divided before the inheritance can be assessed,” explains Sara. This makes marital property law a crucial link in estate planning.

During her studies, she deepened her understanding of the differences between Belgian and French marital property law. “The French legal system is largely based on the Belgian system,” she says. Thanks to this academic deep dive combined with practical experience, she continued to specialize in more complex cases such as gifts and wealth planning.

Expertise and Publications

Sara’s expertise is recognized not only by her clients but also within the legal community. “I have won several cases that have been published, including a judgment that appeared in the journal of notaries and the Estate Planning Journal,” confirming her status as an expert in her field.

With in-depth knowledge of legislation and years of practical experience, Sara knows how to guide her clients through difficult situations. “It’s not enough to simply know the law; you need to understand the entire case and delve into all the details to take the right legal steps.”

Why Clients Choose a Lawyer and Not Just a Notary

In dealing with an inheritance or a gift, a notary plays a crucial role. A notary is a neutral mediator who ensures that legal documents are correctly drawn up and registered. However, hiring a lawyer in certain situations can be a valuable addition.

“As soon as there’s a conflict, such as with an inheritance involving various interests, a lawyer can truly advocate for one party’s position,” explains Sara. “A notary must remain impartial and cannot act as an advocate. A lawyer, on the other hand, can provide strategic advice and defend their client’s rights to the fullest, both in negotiations and in legal proceedings.”

Sara emphasizes that a lawyer and a notary work complementarily: “In many cases, we as lawyers can proactively identify potential pitfalls and help avoid legal conflicts by preparing everything well and negotiating in our client’s interest.”

Inheritances and the Pitfalls of Estate Planning

One of the most common legal issues Sara encounters are complex inheritances, especially when children from a previous marriage are involved. “I’ve often seen that the surviving partner uses legal structures to ensure everything goes to them, leaving children from a previous marriage empty-handed.”

However, that doesn’t mean there are no legal options left. “Many people don’t know they are also entitled to what was given away during the deceased’s lifetime. I had a client who thought he was entitled to just €80,000, but after my intervention, he discovered he was entitled to €340,000.”

Proactive Wealth Planning: When Do You Start?

Good estate planning doesn’t only begin when someone falls ill or dies. “Ideally, you should start around your fifties, so you have time to transfer your wealth tax-efficiently, for example, through the ‘salamic gift’ (where you make gifts every three years).”

Sara also highlights the importance of clear agreements among family members. “Conflicts often arise because expectations aren’t discussed in advance. By involving a lawyer early, you can avoid many problems later on.”

A Strong Addition to the Team

Since joining, Sara has proven to be a valuable addition to the De Groote – De Man team. Her deep knowledge, combined with her strategic approach, ensures that clients are in safe hands with her.

📸 Picture from left to right: Sara Lefebvre, Ellen Moreau and Jeroen De Man

Jeroen De Man, Founder & Partner, says: “We are very happy to have secured a top talent like Sara for our team. Sara really embodies the DNA of our firm, and we are convinced that together we will serve our clients even better thanks to her skills.”

Ellen Moreau, Associate Partner & Team Lead, adds: “Her years of experience and expertise in Family Law and Family Wealth Law, combined with her warm personality, make her a perfect match for our team. It’s a pleasure for both clients and colleagues to consult with her.”

Sara Lefebvre: A Driven Specialist at De Groote – De Man

With her extensive expertise, strategic thinking, and proactive approach, Sara fits perfectly into the philosophy of De Groote – De Man. “Our firm stands for legal solutions that not only follow the law but also truly work in practice.”

If you’re looking for an expert in family law, estate planning, or wealth law, Sara Lefebvre is the right person to turn to.

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