Inheritance in Spain The purpose of this information is to explain in a simple way the basic rules and to clarify how an inheritance process works in Spain. The fundamental point is that in Spanish inheritance law the correct national law of the deceased is always used. Procedure for preparing a declaration of succession in Spain. As a first step, you must request a certificate of the so-called Last Will and Testament of the deceased – Ultimas Voluntades – from the Ministry of Justice. This Last Will and Testament certificate shows all wills drafted by the deceased in Spain. The application for such a certificate is mandatory, even in cases where the deceased has not made a will in Spain. When requesting the Last Will and Testament certificate, an original copy of the death certificate, issued by the Civil Registry, must be attached. If the death occurred abroad, the death certificate, issued by the authorized foreign authority, must be legalized and translated into Spanish by an authorized translator. Once the Certificate of Last Will and Testament has been obtained, one of the heirs, or a person designated by them by power of attorney, must pick up an authentic copy of the deceased’s will at the Spanish Notary Public before whom the last will was drawn up. In cases where there is no will granted in Spain, a certificate of law from the country of origin must be requested, legalized and translated by an authorized translator. Javaloyes & Suárez specializes in handling foreign inheritance in Spain. Trust us to make this process as easy as possible for you and your heirs.