Inheritance in Costa Blanca
Expert Legal Assistance for International Clients in Spain
Practice Area
- Spanish inheritance law
- Wills and succession planning
- Probate process in Spain
- Inheritance tax advice
- Declaration of heirs
- Property inheritance in Spain
At Coast Law Firm, we provide expert legal support for individuals and families managing inheritance in Costa Blanca and across Spain. Our team of multilingual lawyers helps international clients navigate the complexities of Spanish inheritance law, ensuring a smooth and secure transfer of assets.
Whether you need to obtain official certificates, draft wills in Costa Blanca, or manage the probate process, we handle every step with efficiency, transparency, and care.
Our Practice Areas in Inheritance Law
We specialise in all aspects of succession and inheritance procedures in Spain, including:
- Spanish inheritance law and succession planning
- Drafting and registration of wills in Costa Blanca and across Spain
- Probate management and declaration of heirs (declaración de herederos)
- Inheritance tax (Impuesto de Sucesiones y Donaciones) advice and representation
- Property inheritance and Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) registration
- Cross-border inheritance and EU Succession Certificates under Regulation (EU) 650/2012
- NIE number assistance for foreign heirs
Our goal is to protect your estate and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimising tax implications and bureaucratic delays.
The Inheritance Process in Spain
The inheritance procedure in Spain involves several official steps. Our firm manages the entire process on your behalf to ensure compliance and speed.
A key early step is requesting the Certificate of Last Will (Certificado de Últimas Voluntades) from the Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad. This document identifies the notary holding the deceased's last will and confirms the date and legal validity of the final testament — a mandatory requirement even when the notary's identity is already known.
Depending on the estate, the process may also involve obtaining a Life Insurance Certificate (Certificado de Contratos de Seguros de Cobertura de Fallecimiento), coordinating with a Spanish notary (notario) to formalise the deed of acceptance of inheritance (escritura de aceptación de herencia), and settling any outstanding obligations with the Agencia Tributaria before assets can be transferred.
The process begins with obtaining a Death Certificate from the Civil Registry where the death occurred. If the death took place in a hospital, it will be registered in the registry of that city.
You can request a free copy online from the Spanish Ministry of Justice, which will send it to your postal address. We recommend requesting several copies.
💡 If you don’t know the book or page number when filling in the form, simply enter “0” and continue.
Next, you must request the Certificate from the “Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad” (Last Will Registry).
This document indicates the notary who holds the last will of the deceased. It’s a mandatory step even if you already know the notary’s name because the certificate confirms the date and validity of the final testament.
With both certificates (Death and Last Will Registry), heirs can request a copy of the will from the notary’s office.
If the original notary has retired or moved, the Colegio Notarial will inform you which notary now holds custody of the will’s documents.
For international families, the European Certificate of Succession (Certificado Sucesorio Europeo) is essential.
It allows recognition of inheritance rights in all EU member states, simplifying the administration of assets located in different countries.
Wills Costa Blanca — Succession Planning for Residents and Non-Residents
Making a will in Costa Blanca is one of the most important steps any property owner or resident can take to protect their estate. Whether you live in Jávea, Moraira, Altea, or Denia — or you own a holiday home anywhere along the Costa Blanca coastline — having a properly drafted Spanish will ensures your assets are handled exactly according to your wishes.
Even if you already have a will in your home country (UK, Germany, France, or elsewhere), a separate Spanish will avoids conflicts with local succession laws and significantly reduces costs and delays for your heirs.
Why Make a Spanish Will in Costa Blanca?
- Guarantees your Spanish assets are distributed according to your wishes
- Avoids conflicts between Spanish and foreign succession laws, including EU Regulation 650/2012
- Reduces costs and delays for your heirs
- Simplifies payment of inheritance tax in Spain (Impuesto de Sucesiones)
- Provides legal certainty and peace of mind for residents and non-residents alike
Our Services for Wills in Costa Blanca
- Drafting bilingual wills (Spanish and English, German, French, or other languages)
- Coordinating with a local notary for signing and official registration
- Registering your will with the Spanish Wills Registry (Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad)
- Providing certified and digital copies
- Secure document storage and ongoing legal advice
- Legal representation for probate and estate protection
Cross-Border Succession
Our team assists with EU inheritance procedures under Regulation (EU) 650/2012, ensuring your rights are recognised across European jurisdictions. We prepare and manage the European Certificate of Succession (Certificado Sucesorio Europeo) to simplify property transfers across borders — particularly relevant for British, German, French, and Scandinavian clients with assets in Spain.
Where We Work
We assist clients with wills, inheritance, and probate matters throughout Costa Blanca and beyond, including:
Costa Blanca Norte: Altea, Calpe, Moraira, Jávea (Xàbia), Denia, Benissa, Teulada, Ondara Costa Blanca Sur: Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm, Villajoyosa, Elche, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura
We also provide services across Costa del Sol, Valencia, Barcelona, and the Balearic Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
If there’s no Spanish or international will, Spanish succession law applies, which includes forced heirship. This means certain relatives automatically inherit, which may not reflect your personal wishes.
Yes. Non-residents can inherit assets in Spain, but professional representation is strongly advised to manage taxes, registration, and compliance.
Absolutely. A Spanish will simplifies legal procedures, avoids delays, and ensures your wishes are respected according to Spanish law.
You’ll need the death certificate, will (if applicable), NIE numbers for all heirs, and proof of relationship. Our team handles document collection and validation for you.
Yes. With a power of attorney, we can manage the entire inheritance process remotely on your behalf.
It’s a notarial document confirming who the legal heirs are when there’s no will. We manage this process and ensure it’s correctly registered.
We offer our services about Inheritance in:
Legal support across the Costa Blanca region
Inheritance in Oliva
Inheritance in Dénia
Inheritance in Altea
Inheritance in Xaló
Inheritance in Gandía
Inheritance in Valencia
Inheritance in Alicante
Inheritance in Murcia
Inheritance in Elche
Inheritance in Albir
Inheritance in Benirdorm
Inheritance in Jávea
Inheritance in Calpe
Inheritance in Moraira
Inheritance Torrevieja
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