In today’s article, we want to talk about how to contest and challenge a Spanish Will, and a recent court success. Our law firm has represented the heiresses (daughters) of a British woman, who left everything in her will to her husband, of another nationality.
As per our court claim, the court has recognised our clients, the right as descendants, to 2/3 of the assets of the inheritance. All this by application of Spanish law, and the compulsory rights (forced heir rights) that it provides for descendants.
You can consult this court decision on this like: DECISION SPANISH COURT CONTEST A SPANISH WILL.
Can Spanish law apply to the inheritance of an expat or foreigner in Spain?
Spanish law does not always apply to inheritance relating to foreigners (non-Spanish nationals) in Spain. That will depend on many factors: such as the deceased nationality, place of residence, etc.
Date of Death The person’s date of death is very important.
Thus, if she died on or after 17/8/2015, European Regulation 650/2012 will apply to her inheritance. And Spanish law will be applied, in principle, if the deceased had her domicile, at the time of death, in Spain. Unless she had made a Will opting for the law of her nationality. Or the transitory provisions of the regulation apply to the case, in relation to Wills granted prior to the entry into force of said regulation.
If she died before 17/8/2015, the Spanish civil code will apply. It understands that the law of the deceased’s nationality applies. But in some cases, it accepts the ‘renvoi’ that the law of the deceased may make to Spanish law. Normally, when the domicile of the deceased was in Spain and/or the real estate assets are here.
Who can challenge the Will? Who can claim rights as legitimate or forced heirs?
According to Spanish law, are legitimate or forced heirs, that is, they are entitled to a part of the inheritance, normally the descendants (children, grandchildren, etc). And in the absence of them, ancestors and spouses.
Thus, according to Spanish law, descendants can normally claim approximately 2/3 of the inheritance.
Recognition of forced succession rights to children excluded on the Will. In the case of a British deceased.
In the case indicated, although it is true that the deceased was British, her national law was Scottish. Both Scottish law and the law of England and Wales, state that it applies to succession:
- Regarding movable property, the law of the domicile of the deceased.
- And as for real estate assets, the law of the place where they are located.
In the said case, the civil code was applicable (death prior to August 2015). And although the applicable law was the one of the nationality of the deceased (Scottish law), that, renvoi or forwarded Spanish law, as the one applicable. Because, Spain was the domicile of the deceased, and where the real estate was located. Thus, being applicable Spanish law, although the Will excluded daughters; they have the right to 2/3 of the inheritance, as they are forced heiresses. That is what we requested and what the court has recognised in the indicated court decision.
Conclusion
If you wish to contest and challenge a Spanish Will or ask for its annulment, or to have your rights recognised as an heir in Spain. Or you want to protect your Will in order to do not be contested, contact us and we will help you.
The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys information relating to legal matters.
Carlos Baos (Lawyer)
White & Baos.
Tel: +34 966 426 185
E-mail: info@white-baos.com
White & Baos 2022 – All Rights Reserved.
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Challenging, disputing or contesting a Spanish Will
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Hello, my name is Georgina Neve. My Father died in March 2022, having resided in Spain for the past 35 years. He owned 3 properties, 2 in Malaga and 1 unknown. I believe he left a will which My niece sorted out, but was then told not to sign it by my step mother. She has taken everything,saying there was no will. I am one of three children, we are totally broken, and need advice please. We all reside in England, although personally I have spent half of my life in Spain.
Thank you in advance.
Thank you for your message.
The first think that we need to do, it is to check if there is a Will or not. For that we need to get the death certificate. If you do not have it, we could get it, if you confirm the date and place of death.
With it, we will get the confirmation from the central registry of Wills, if there is a Spanish Will.
If there is not Will at all, and the deceased passed away in Spain, will apply the intestacy rules of Spanish Law ( Civil Code) and you the children will inherit.
If there is a Will, we will need to check it and study it, to see if it is possible to contest it or not.
We can assist you with this. You could contact us on the email info@white-baos.com or on the telephone 0034 966426185
Best regards,