Inheritance
Specialists in resolving disputes related to properties, contracts, and real estate transactions
Inheritances: wills and estate administration
Hello, I’m Óscar Vaello, attorney at Vaello Legal. Today I want to talk to you about a matter we all face sooner or later: inheritances. A subject with two very distinct aspects. On one hand, making a will, which is a voluntary and preventive act you can carry out during your lifetime. On the other, estate administration, which is usually an emotionally delicate moment, where there is no room for improvisation.
I will explain it clearly, without unnecessary technicalities, and above all with the approach you already know: direct, approachable, and focused on protecting you.
1. Making a will: the most generous act you can have toward your loved ones
Many people postpone making a will because they believe it is something done when one is very old or very ill. Wrong. Making a will is something you should do as soon as possible, because you never know when life may change.
Making a will is not obsessing over death. It is protecting those you love. It is making things clear. It is avoiding conflicts among your heirs. It is ensuring your wishes are fulfilled. And it is, moreover, inexpensive and quick.
At Vaello Legal we help you draft a will that complies with your wishes and the law. We do not use generic templates. Each person has a different situation, and your will must reflect that. Because having children is not the same as not having them. Being married or living with a partner. Owning properties abroad or having nothing in your name.
Some reasons to make a will now:
- Prevent people you do not want from inheriting.
- Ensure your partner is not left unprotected.
- Distribute equitably and not according to what the law dictates.
- Leave specific instructions regarding particular assets.
- Appoint a guardian for your minor children.
- Designate an executor or trusted person to manage the estate.
And, most importantly: making a will greatly simplifies the subsequent administration. Your heirs will thank you.
Moreover, it is very easy to do. We draft the text with you, review whether there are tax aspects worth considering, coordinate the signing with the notary, and leave everything ready. You can modify it at any time if your situation changes, and you can even make several wills if you have assets in different countries.
A will can also be a powerful tool for planning the protection of vulnerable individuals: children with disabilities, partners in second marriages, complex family situations… It is not only about distributing assets, but about properly organizing your legacy.
2. Estate administration: when there is no room for errors
When someone passes away, the first thing that happens is confusion. Emotion, grief, paperwork. No one is prepared. And yet, many things must be done: obtain the death certificate, find out if there is a will, locate assets, contact banks, manage taxes, sign deeds…
And all of this within a limited timeframe. Because inheritance tax has its own schedule, and if it is not processed properly, you may end up paying more, or even facing penalties. Most people do not know this, but the deadline for filing inheritance tax is 6 months from the date of death. And although an extension can be requested, if it is allowed to lapse without action, the consequences can be very serious.
At Vaello Legal we help you:
- Request the certificate of last wills and locate the will.
- Prepare the declaration of heirs if there is no will.
- Inventory all the deceased’s assets.
- Correctly calculate inheritance tax and plan its payment.
- Draft the estate partition document.
- Coordinate the signing of the deed of estate distribution.
- Register the assets in the Property Registry.
- Manage bank accounts, insurance policies, shares, and other assets.
- Coordinate with banking institutions and notaries.
And if there are conflicts among heirs, we also help you resolve them with the utmost diplomacy. Because yes, in inheritances there are emotions, but also significant financial interests. And it is easy for tensions to arise. Having an attorney who acts as a mediator can prevent a family from breaking apart forever.
Often there are assets that are not located in time, or heirs who are unaware of their existence. We conduct a comprehensive search of bank accounts, life insurance policies, investment funds, and other financial products, even if the deceased did not leave a detailed list. Our goal is to ensure nothing is left out.
We also analyze whether it is advisable to sell some assets to pay the tax, or whether deferrals or installment payments can be requested. In many cases, poor planning leads to having to sell assets at a loss due to miscalculating timelines.
How much does all this cost?
Less than you imagine. At Vaello Legal we work with clear fees, adjusted to the complexity of each case. We provide fixed quotes so you know from day one how much you will pay. And we explain each step of the process so you do not feel lost.
Making a will costs less than what you spend on a weekend dining out. And administering an estate with professional assistance can save you thousands of euros in errors, penalties, or family conflicts.
Additionally, we help you minimize tax payments, as many people pay more than they should simply by not planning the administration properly. And if there are multiple heirs, we also coordinate everything so the process is efficient, orderly, and without confrontations.
And if there are properties involved, we also handle everything necessary: valuations, dealings with the cadastre, coordination with architects if plans are needed, and contact with real estate agencies if the heirs decide to sell.
Frequently asked questions we receive almost every week
- What if my father did not make a will? We can still administer the estate, but the process is longer and more costly. A declaration of heirs must be made before a notary, and there may be more conflict.
- Do you have to pay a lot of taxes? It depends on the autonomous community, the degree of kinship, the value of what is inherited… We calculate everything so you can decide with data.
- What if there are debts? The inheritance can be accepted subject to inventory. This way you will not assume the deceased’s debts with your own assets.
- Can we distribute the estate without going to the notary? No, except in very exceptional cases. The distribution of an estate must be formalized in a public deed.
- What if there is an apartment we do not want to sell? It can be allocated to one of the heirs by compensating the others, or it can be left in co-ownership. The important thing is that everything is properly documented.
- Can I make a will if I have assets abroad? Yes, and it is advisable. We can help you coordinate an international or supplementary will.
- Can you renounce an inheritance? Yes. And sometimes it is the most advisable if there are debts. We advise you to make the right decision.
- What if one of the heirs lives abroad? We also handle those cases. We can prepare notarial powers of attorney so they do not have to travel or coordinate the entire signing from abroad.
- What happens if an heir does not want to sign? We try to mediate, seek agreements, and if necessary initiate a judicial partition. But we always exhaust the amicable route first.
How much does it cost to protect yourself as a tenant?
Much less than you imagine. At Vaello Legal we offer:
- Fixed fees for contract review (no surprises, no fine print).
- Advisory packages for first-time renters.
- Special rates for students, young people, or individuals in vulnerable situations.
- Ongoing assistance for tenants who want to have a reference attorney.
We want you to be able to access legal protection without going broke. Because we believe justice should also be accessible.
Conclusion: inheritances do not have to be a drama
If you make a will, you are helping those you love most. If you administer an estate with legal advice, you avoid errors, conflicts, and additional costs. At Vaello Legal we are here for that: to help you ensure important matters are done right.
We do it with clarity, professionalism, and humanity. Because we know that when someone passes away, the last thing you need is more confusion. And because we believe everyone deserves to leave things properly done, and that our loved ones can remember us with affection, not with pending paperwork.
If you want to make a will, or need to administer an estate, speak with us. We will explain everything clearly, without fine print, without technicalities, and with the humane treatment you deserve.
