Updated: May 2026
Tomas Ballestero Lawyers is a Spanish law firm based in Jávea (Alicante province, Costa Blanca — Marina Alta), helping American citizens handle Spanish inheritances since 1992 — over 30 years of experience. José Manuel Tomas Ballestero is a registered lawyer with the Colegio de la Abogacía de Alicante (ICALI), and the firm provides services in English and French. 74+ verified 5★ Google reviews. Initial consultation free. We handle the entire Spanish-side probate of a Jávea estate for U.S. heirs — notarial procedure, tax filing (Modelo 650), Land Registry transfer — remotely from the U.S., no need to travel.
Spanish Inheritance for U.S. Heirs: What Makes It Different from a U.S. Probate
Spain does not run inheritance through a court probate as the U.S. does. Spanish succession is handled at the notary by means of an escritura pública de aceptación y adjudicación de herencia, registered afterwards at the Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) and reported to the Spanish tax authorities. For U.S. heirs the practical issues are: identifying and certifying the heirs under the law governing the succession, the Hague Apostille on every U.S. document used in Spain, the sworn translation into Spanish, the Spanish Inheritance Tax (ISD) filed via Modelo 650.
Our Services for U.S. Heirs to a Jávea Estate
Identifying the applicable law (EU Regulation 650/2012)
Where the deceased was not a Spanish national, the succession is generally governed by the law of the deceased’s habitual residence at death, unless the deceased made a valid choice of their national law in the will (EU Regulation 650/2012 — Brussels IV). For U.S. nationals dying with assets in Spain, we examine the will, the residency facts and any choice-of-law clause to determine the correct Spanish-side treatment.
Spanish Inheritance Tax — Modelo 650 (Valencia regime)
Spanish Inheritance Tax (ISD) is a regional tax. For assets located in Jávea (Valencia community), the Comunidad Valenciana rules apply — including its current allowances and reductions for descendants, spouses and close relatives. We compute the tax under the regional regime and file Modelo 650 for each heir within the statutory window for filing (which runs from the date of death and admits an extension request).
U.S. Documents in Spain — Apostille + Sworn Translation
Every U.S. document used in the Spanish procedure (the death certificate, the will, the letters testamentary, powers of attorney for the heirs) must be apostilled under the Hague Convention (issued by the relevant U.S. Secretary of State or, for federally issued documents, the U.S. Department of State) and translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) recognised in Spain. We coordinate both.
Powers of Attorney — Heirs Sign in the U.S.
Heirs do not need to travel to Spain. We prepare the POA in English, you sign before a U.S. notary, apostille, sworn translation — and we attend the Spanish notary on your behalf for the acceptance of the inheritance.
NIE for Heirs
Every heir needs a Spanish NIE before assets can be transferred. We guide each heir through obtaining it as part of the inheritance.
The Jávea Inheritance Process — What We Handle on the Spanish Side
- Asset inventory — checks at the Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad), Cadastre, banks and the Spanish General Wills Registry (Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad).
- Heir identification — under the applicable succession law (EU 650/2012 or the will’s choice of law).
- U.S. documents — apostille and sworn translations coordinated.
- Notarial acceptance of inheritance — drafted and attended on your behalf via POA.
- Tax filing — Modelo 650 (ISD) under the Comunidad Valenciana regime.
- Land Registry transfer — inscription in the heirs’ names.
Actual timing varies with each estate — number of heirs, assets across jurisdictions, U.S. documents required and the notary’s calendar. We do not offer fixed timelines; every estate is different.
Frequently Asked Questions — Inheriting Property in Jávea (American Heirs)
Do American heirs pay Spanish inheritance tax on a Jávea property?
Yes — Spanish ISD applies to Spanish-situs assets regardless of the heir’s nationality, and the Comunidad Valenciana regional regime governs the calculation (allowances and reductions for close relatives apply).
Do heirs need to come to Spain?
No. With a Power of Attorney signed in the U.S. and apostilled, we handle the entire Spanish procedure on the heirs’ behalf — notarial acceptance, tax filing and registry transfer.
What happens if there is no Spanish will?
The succession is still resolved in Spain. Under EU Regulation 650/2012, the applicable law is generally the law of the deceased’s last habitual residence — or the law chosen by the deceased in the will. We analyse the facts and apply the right framework.
Why work with Tomas Ballestero Lawyers for a Jávea inheritance?
30+ years working with international heirs in Jávea, Dénia and the Costa Blanca. José Manuel Tomas Ballestero is a registered lawyer with the Colegio de la Abogacía de Alicante (ICALI). Services in English and French. 74+ verified 5★ Google reviews. Initial consultation free, no obligation.
Contact Us — Free Initial Consultation
We will review the estate and give you a clear roadmap of the Spanish side. Languages: English and French. Offices: Jávea and Valencia.
Read more about our Spanish property lawyers for American buyers.
This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Tomas Ballestero Lawyers advises on Spanish law only; for U.S. legal or tax matters, please consult your U.S. adviser.
