Sorrel

[Unregistered]

My father recently passed away, having lived an owned a house in Spain for 6-7 years, it has been suggeted to me by my solicitor in England to have my name put on the deeds of the house. My father re-married 15 years ago, and whilst my step-mother and I have a very good relationship now - who knows what will happen in the future! She said she has seen her solicitor in Spain and it is unclear to me what the out come seems to be. Would it be better for me to see a solicitor in Spain and how 'easy' is it to have my name added to the deeds?

[Lawbird Lawyer]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Judging from your query I take it your father was English. Is this the case?

Didn't he leave any will?

If he didn't, then it follows England's & Wale's Intestacy rules.

I would advise you contact an English solicitor to let him explain explain to you in detail as I can only advice on Spanish laws.

Having said this, if after Probate you are the appointed beneficiary of your late father's Spanish estate, you can indeed lodge your name at the Spanish Land Registrar.

A special inheritance procedure must be followed which I've explained in this article of mine:

DRAWING UP A SPANISH WILL: THE ADVANTAGES - 5th of May 2009

I take the opportunity to offer your our legal service on estate transfer to heirs.

Please contact us if you are interested.

The Estate transfer to heirs service includes:


1. Requesting of copies of the Death Certificate, in the event that the death took place in Spain.

2. Requesting of a Will Certificate information and location from the Central Registry of Wills in Madrid.

3. Obtaining of the Will from the Notary Public where it was signed / Estate Heirs Statement (in those cases where there is no will)

4. Inheritance Acceptance

5. Partition of the inheritance according to what the will states, or, where there is now will, to the desires of the inheritors .

6. Inscription at the Land Registry of the new owners of the Estate inherited.

7. Applying for beneficiarie's NIE numbers.

8. Arrangement of payment of the applicable Inheritance Tax.


If you have any further queries on this matter just post them here if you wish.

Yours faithfully,
Raymundo LarraÃ*n Nesbitt