Have you got a will – Important changes from 2015
Free disposition of assets has a long tradition in England & Wales and you will have heard stories of wealthy individuals leaving all their assets to friends or even the local dog’s home. In one recent case a Judge had to decide if the owners of a local Chinese restaurant could receive their inheritance from […]
Latest news on inheritance tax reclaims
In September 2014, the European court has decided that Spain has been discriminating against non residents by charging inheritance tax where a resident would be exempt from tax. The decision in Commission v Spain Case C-127/12 states that this discrimination is unlawful. At present most inheritance tax allowances in Spain are regional and only apply […]
ENGLISH INTESTACY LAW CHANGES
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ENGLISH INTESTACY LAWS The law of England and Wales on intestacy, dying without a will, has been changed. The Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act of 2014 has substantially changed the law. Previously where a husband, wife or civil partner had not left a will and there were no children the surviving spouse […]
Finding Lost Relatives – Heirs to Spanish Property
As a law firm serving the international community in Spain, we are often approached by ‘heir-hunters’ or companies who specialise in tracing lost relatives. Over the last 30 or more years of immigration, residence and property purchase by British nationals many properties have been purchased. In some cases these people have lost contact with their […]
Intestacy – dying without a valid will
Valid wills The Spanish notarial system provides more security for those who make a valid will. This is because there is a Central Wills Registry where each notarial will is registered by the notary. The original will is always kept on the Protocol (archive) of the notary where you sign the will. The information at […]
Questions and Answers on Spanish Estates – Wills, Inheritance & Probate
Q & A with Jon Sutton, Partner with De Cotta Law 1) Is it necessary for clients who own property in Spain to have a separate Spanish Will? Strictly speaking, it is possible to have one English form will to cover all your assets, moveable or immoveable throughout the world. The Spanish Civil Code permits […]
Marriage and its effect on inheritance tax in Spain
Most ex-patriots from the UK will be acquainted with the fact that if you are domiciled back home, any assets bequeathed to a wife or husband are free of UK inheritance tax under the spouse exemption rule. However, many people are surprised to learn that the spouse exemption does not apply to any assets in […]
The importance of having a Will
A will is one of those things that you know you really ought to do but continually put off. In the UK, almost 70% of the adult population does not have a will. In opinion surveys, most people agree that they should have a will but reasons given for not having one vary from not […]
Wills & Probate
Strategic Wills & Probate Services for UK Lawyers Experts In Estates With Assets In Spain, The UK & Offshore Spanish & UK Wills Service – Sign in UK or Spain Inheritance & Probate For Spanish and English Estates Inheritance is a particularly complex area of law if the estate includes assets outside your country of […]
FAMILY, CHILDREN, CHARITY OR THE DOGS HOME? – Inheritance Law Update
This is not an entirely flippant title for this article and it hopefully will make you read on! It is an old adage from UK lawyers who deal with wills that some people would prefer to leave their assets to Battersea Dogs home than to their children. The fact is that in England as in […]
Inheritance tax increases for the residents in the Canary Islands – by Vera Liprandi Lawyer with De Cotta Law
Below is an article from Vera Liprandi of De Cotta Law, Tenerife. For more information, book your FREE consultation on November, Tuesday 13th, during our Open Day, in partnership with BlevinsFranks. Inheritance tax increases for the residents in the Canary Islands On the 25th of June 2012 the Canary Islands Parliament approved Law 4/2012 which […]
How do you choose a lawyer in Spain?
Choosing your legal representative in Spain can be complex. You want some one that speaks your language and understands your culture but also you need some one who can work effectively in the Spanish legal framework. To help you make your choice, consider these questions: Q. Does your lawyer speak your language? Do they understand […]