Our very own attorney/partner Valya Pantophlet Helps Families Find a Way Forward Through Longstanding Undivided Estates.

Legal knowledge, constructive dialogue and regional outreach offer renewed hope for families across Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius

PHILIPSBURG, SINT MAARTEN – 27 September 2026 – DEJONG is proud to recognize the important contribution of our partner and commercial attorney on Sint Maarten, Ms. Valya Pantophlet, to the recent town hall meeting on succession land and longstanding undivided family estates in Sint Maarten.

According to The People’s Tribune, more than 90 residents attended the public session at the PMIA Hall on Thursday evening. The strong turnout demonstrated how deeply the issue of succession land affects families throughout Sint Maarten. For generations, many heirs have been unable to build, sell, develop or otherwise make effective use of family property because estates have remained legally undivided, sometimes involving dozens of heirs living across different countries.

During the town hall, Pantophlet provided a practical legal presentation on the treatment of undivided estates under the law, the rights available to heirs and the steps families can take to begin resolving these often-complex situations. Together with representatives of the Kadaster of Sint Maarten, she also answered questions from residents about incomplete family records, unregistered deeds, heirs residing abroad, unclear ownership and land occupied or developed without a properly established legal title.

The evening concluded with Member of Parliament Darryl York presenting his legislative initiative concerning longstanding undivided estates and inviting members of the public to provide direct feedback.

DEJONG welcomes this type of open and constructive engagement, through which lived family experiences can help inform legislation and improve access to meaningful legal solutions.

Pantophlet specialises in proceedings under Article 3:200a of the Civil Codes of St. Maarten and the BES islands, and in assisting families with the legal resolution and division of longstanding undivided estates. Her practice extends mostly across Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius. These matters require not only technical legal knowledge, but also patience, sensitivity and an understanding that land often represents far more than an economic asset: it carries family history, identity and the legacy of generations.

“An undivided estate is rarely just a legal problem. Behind every parcel of land is a family story, a shared history and, very often, a future that has been placed on hold. The law can help families move forward, but the process must begin with knowledge, transparency and a willingness to bring everyone to the table. My commitment is to help families understand their rights and find solutions that honor both their legal interests and the generations who came before them,” said Valya Pantophlet, partner and commercial attorney at DEJONG.

The Sint Maarten town hall also highlighted the importance of making legal information accessible outside the courtroom and the law office. Families are better able to protect their rights when they understand the available procedures, the documents they need and the practical steps required to move a matter forward.

For that reason, DEJONG commits to organizing similar public information sessions on

Saba and Sint Eustatius, focusing on succession, inherited family land, undivided estates and the possibilities offered by Article 3:200a. Further information concerning the dates and locations of these sessions will be announced in due course.

“Our islands are connected not only by geography, but also by shared histories, shared families and many of the same longstanding challenges concerning inherited land. Property that has remained undivided for generations should not become a permanent barrier to family unity, housing, development or opportunity. Through Valya’s expertise and DEJONG’s presence across the islands, we want to bring clear legal information closer to our communities and help transform inherited uncertainty into a foundation for the future. What begins with understanding can end with families moving forward together,” said Gerald Simmons – de Jong, managing partner of DEJONG.

DEJONG congratulates Attorney Pantophlet, MP Darryl York, the Kadaster of Sint Maarten and all participating residents for contributing to an informative and constructive public dialogue.

Our office looks forward to continuing this important work throughout Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius.