Children travelling from or leaving Spain – Important changes
From 1st September a new law has come into effect about children leaving Spanish territory. It is particularly important where a child is not travelling with a parent. These security measures mean that any parent who wants their children to travel with grandparents, other family members or friends must give their consent by completing an […]
Pre-nuptial contracts and matrimonial regimes
The concept of a “matrimonial regime” is one that is not familiar to people from the UK. In Spain and many other European countries when people marry, they either elect or decide on a matrimonial regime or, in default, the property after marriage becomes Community of property – known as gananciales. In the UK there […]
Arrangements for Children – Custody, Visits and maintenance
We have an international community in many parts of Spain and there is an increasing need to ensure any arrangements made for children benefit the child and are workable. This is particularly important where parents live in different countries or may move in the future for work or other reasons. We have seen a number […]
Perchè è importante firmare un testamento spagnolo?
Quando il coniuge o un familiare muore senza aver firmato un testamento in Spagna o nel paese di residenza, la procedura di successione in Spagna può essere molto costosa, lunga e complicata. In Italia la procedura è più semplice ed è possibile firmare autocertificazioni ed una dichiarazione sostitutiva dell’atto di notorietà, ma le formalità sono […]
Äktenskapsregim
Konceptet “äktenskapsregim” är ett fenomen som normalt inte förekommer i Sverige. I Spanien och många andra europeiska länder när folk gifter sig, väljer de antingen äktenskapsregim eller att per automatik all egendom i äktenskapet omvandlas till gemensam egendom – så kallat gananciales. Detta kan vara väldigt viktigt av flera olika anledningar. Ett fall är vid […]
Resolution
My colleague Reyes Gómez and I have just joined the UK Family Lawyers’ organization, RESOLUTION. Their aim is to encourage lawyers to seek settlements and avoid conflict when a family relationship breaks down. This can be as part of an agreed divorce; to agree custody and visits for children of the family or for the […]
Powers of attorney
Powers of attorney can be very helpful particularly between a couple, family or friends who jointly own property. It is important to take advice and to keep clear records if you hold a power of attorney. The involvement of an experienced lawyer is important. If any dispute does arise regarding powers for British citizens for […]
Travelling with children
Travelling is very much part of our lives in Europe. If you are travelling with children it is very much taken for granted that you won´t have any problems provided you all have valid passports. However, if the children do not share your surname it is important to have additional information if the airline or […]
Family lawyers – a blessing or a curse
We all know good news is heard less often and that bad news sells newspapers. My good news this month is that family lawyers can, and indeed do, help couples whose relationship breaks down. In particular, where there are children involved and by reaching agreement lengthy court proceedings can be avoided. Sadly, and all too […]
Contact and residence orders in Family cases
Re-establishing contact for a Father who had not seen his 11 year old daughter for 6 years We have successfully acted for a father who has been given a court order for contact with his 11 year old daughter after 6 years without seeing her. The child had been removed from England by her mother […]
Spanish property – English divorce – seek advice before obtaining a Court order
After 20 years working in Spain I have lost count of the number of English court divorce orders that seek to deal with Spanish property as if it were English property. English lawyers will be familiar with the wording and recitals: The property shall be sold forthwith on the open market for sale and the […]
Evidence in Civil Proceedings
With experienced lawyers working in all areas of litigation we thought it would be helpful to look at the presentation of valid evidence in court proceedings. This can make all the difference in obtaining a decision in your favour in court in any of the following proceedings: Claims to ownership of property In Spain the […]