Reduced inheritance tax in Andalucia
Andalucia has always been one of the most attractive places in Europe to buy property, with a wonderful climate, culture and beaches. Now it also has one of the most favourable inheritance tax regimes for spouses, children and families. At the start of 2018 the region massively increased the inheritance tax allowance for a spouse, […]
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 […]
Buying property off plan in Spain – Independent advice
With construction commencing again and prices rising in most areas of Spain many people are buying property off plan. This can be a very good way to purchase with payment in instalments until the construction is completed. Buying in this way in Spain is safe and secure provided your lawyer ensures that a guarantee or […]
Recovering & protecting Spanish assets
The good news for Insolvency Practitioners & Trustees in Bankruptcy is that Spanish property values are increasing. If a bankrupt individual or an insolvent company owns assets in Spain it is a good time to place a charge on the property and to ultimately seek recovery for the bankruptcy or insolvency in the UK. We […]
Insurance claims – Mortgage and health claims
Insurance company products and services are very important, particularly when you are not in your home country and might not understand the implications of the various policy options. A good broker can help you but sadly we have heard of a number of cases in recent years where insurance companies are failing to honour policy […]
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 […]
Why you should register your new or modified construction
In Spain there is no legal obligation to register property at the Land Registry. However, the failure to do so and for the registry to accurately reflect the size and description of the property can have serious and sometimes unforeseen consequences. If you bought a two-bedroom property in the country for example and then obtained […]
Are you free to dispose of your assets in Spain?
A conflict between Article 28 of the Spanish Land & Mortgage law and the European Succession Regulation 650/2015 may sound rather dull. However, in practise it could create particular problems for spouses from countries such as England who have free disposition of assets. The majority of people from England who are married with children leave […]