Drost Juten
Goodbye jacket-tie and ivory tower: these notaries reinvented the profession
DATE
24 March 2022
TEXT
Jasper Gramsma
IMAGE
Brian Mul
Yes, there is a monumental chandelier in the study. But notaries Germaine Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht and Remko Oude Hengel make short work of the stuffy image of their profession. "Drost Juten is a legal one-stop-shop, a real in-house notary," they say.
Row and wedding, buying a house, starting a business: big moments in a person's life involve the notary. "Often people find it quite exciting, even when there is something to celebrate," says Germaine Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht, partner with Remko Oude Hengel mate at Drost Juten.
'The days of "you will know, where can I sign?" are over'
"In my room, there are photos of my children, among others, and I find that they start the conversation. When the door then closes, family history is soon on the table. That personal touch is also necessary to make a good product. We really want to know who you are and what you think is important."
Real estate notary
From time to time, entire families bring their cases to Drost Juten. "We are a legal one-stop-shop, a real house notary. People know at some point: if I have something notarial, I can throw it over the fence there and it will be fine," says Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht. "And it's nice to see how clients grow with us over the years," adds Oude Hengel. "Germaines expertise lies in real estate, mine in entrepreneurship. Because buying a house often involves a will and setting up a private limited company often involves prenuptial agreements, we do both in family law. So we help in all areas."
Germaine Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht and Remko Oude Hengel by their company car, just like the office young, striking and dynamic.
The stereotypical image of the notary - jacket-tie, ivory tower - is something the colourful forty-somethings hate. "The time of 'you will know, where can I sign?' is over," she argues. "People look for all sorts of things and are left with questions, such as about the official language. With us, you feel free to ask those questions too." He: "We explain, think with you and translate your wishes back in a legal way. Everything to ensure that you leave with a good feeling of 'yes, I get it'." He hastens to add: "Obviously within the rules that apply in the notarial profession: confidential and careful."
'Occasionally very creative pictures come along'
Of particular note is the relationship with football club HBS Craeyenhout, of which Drost Juten has been a long-standing sponsor. "Because the threshold to the notary is sometimes high, once a month I have a legal counter in the canteen, as part of 'Crows help Crows'," Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht explains. "This is nice for people at the club, because a familiar environment - when 'the notary' becomes 'Germaine', it all goes a lot easier. Regularly, people bring newspaper cuttings asking if what's in them applies to them. Sometimes it stays at the canteen, other times we talk it through in the office."
Creative pictures
To keep innovating, Drost Juten is a member of Netwerk Notarissen, a community for professional study and feedback. "That's also where we come up with things like the 'authentication selfie'," says Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht. "Having your power of attorney and identification photographed, useful when things need to be arranged remotely." Then laughing: "Occasionally, very creative pictures come along."
Social media
Social media is also being considered. Oude Hengel: "In case of death, it can be difficult to get accounts deleted. For this, we have a special social media will. And in prenuptial agreements we include a clause about spicy material. Hopefully not necessary, but it will happen to you..."
 | Read also: Everything you need to know about champagne How do those bubbles actually get into the wine? |
Other notaries occasionally watch Drost Juten's art. When it comes to working from home, for example. "Even before corona, we worked from home at least one day a week. Revolutionary in this profession, it even resulted in an article for the professional association's magazine!" exclaims Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht. "With our young, independent team, we have a very open working atmosphere: it's just 'you' and 'you' and we're in an app group.
Family law
In short, there is a lot of mutual trust. And we are flexible thanks to a couple of hybrid staff, who basically do family law, but can pitch in if there is top pressure in real estate. We do it all together, it really is a team-effort."
Fascinating
Back to practice for a moment, as far as Oude Hengel is concerned. "Last night I was paged by a client because someone close to him was rapidly deteriorating. In response, I immediately made an emergency will that can be signed today. The notarial profession is not about paperwork, it's about people. That's what makes it so fascinating."
text Jasper Gramsma / image Brian Mul
Yes, there is a monumental chandelier in the study. But notaries Germaine Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht and Remko Oude Hengel make short work of the stuffy image of their profession. "Drost Juten is a legal one-stop-shop, a real in-house notary," they say.
Row and wedding, buying a house, starting a business: big moments in a person's life involve the notary. "Often people find it quite exciting, even when there is something to celebrate," says Germaine Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht, partner with Remko Oude Hengel mate at Drost Juten.
'The days of "you will know, where can I sign?" are over'
"In my room, there are photos of my children, among others, and I find that they start the conversation. When the door then closes, family history is soon on the table. That personal touch is also necessary to make a good product. We really want to know who you are and what you think is important."
Real estate notary
From time to time, entire families bring their cases to Drost Juten. "We are a legal one-stop-shop, a real house notary. People know at some point: if I have something notarial, I can throw it over the fence there and it will be fine," says Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht. "And it's nice to see how clients grow with us over the years," adds Oude Hengel. "Germaines expertise lies in real estate, mine in entrepreneurship. Because buying a house often involves a will and setting up a private limited company often involves prenuptial agreements, we do both in family law. So we help in all areas."
Germaine Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht and Remko Oude Hengel by their company car, just like the office young, striking and dynamic.
The stereotypical image of the notary - jacket-tie, ivory tower - is something the colourful forty-somethings hate. "The time of 'you will know, where can I sign?' is over," she argues. "People look for all sorts of things and are left with questions, such as about the official language. With us, you feel free to ask those questions too." He: "We explain, think with you and translate your wishes back in a legal way. Everything to ensure that you leave with a good feeling of 'yes, I get it'." He hastens to add: "Obviously within the rules that apply in the notarial profession: confidential and careful."
'Occasionally very creative pictures come along'
Of particular note is the relationship with football club HBS Craeyenhout, of which Drost Juten has been a long-standing sponsor. "Because the threshold to the notary is sometimes high, once a month I have a legal counter in the canteen, as part of 'Crows help Crows'," Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht explains. "This is nice for people at the club, because a familiar environment - when 'the notary' becomes 'Germaine', it all goes a lot easier. Regularly, people bring newspaper cuttings asking if what's in them applies to them. Sometimes it stays at the canteen, other times we talk it through in the office."
Creative pictures
To keep innovating, Drost Juten is a member of Netwerk Notarissen, a community for professional study and feedback. "That's also where we come up with things like the 'authentication selfie'," says Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht. "Having your power of attorney and identification photographed, useful when things need to be arranged remotely." Then laughing: "Occasionally, very creative pictures come along."
Social media
Social media is also being considered. Oude Hengel: "In case of death, it can be difficult to get accounts deleted. For this, we have a special social media will. And in prenuptial agreements we include a clause about spicy material. Hopefully not necessary, but it will happen to you..."
| Read also: Everything you need to know about champagne How do those bubbles actually get into the wine? |
Other notaries occasionally watch Drost Juten's art. When it comes to working from home, for example. "Even before corona, we worked from home at least one day a week. Revolutionary in this profession, it even resulted in an article for the professional association's magazine!" exclaims Olde Heuvelt-von Bannisseht. "With our young, independent team, we have a very open working atmosphere: it's just 'you' and 'you' and we're in an app group.
Family law
In short, there is a lot of mutual trust. And we are flexible thanks to a couple of hybrid staff, who basically do family law, but can pitch in if there is top pressure in real estate. We do it all together, it really is a team-effort."
Fascinating
Back to practice for a moment, as far as Oude Hengel is concerned. "Last night I was paged by a client because someone close to him was rapidly deteriorating. In response, I immediately made an emergency will that can be signed today. The notarial profession is not about paperwork, it's about people. That's what makes it so fascinating."
