Inheritance Lawyer in Dénia for Foreign Heirs

When a relative who owned property in Dénia dies, the inheritance is dealt with in Spain, before a Spanish notary. We handle it from start to finish from our office in Jávea and our associated office in Dénia, and with a power of attorney you do not need to travel.

Step by stepHow an inheritance in Dénia works

• 1. CertificatesThe death certificate and, from fifteen working days after the death, the certificate of last wills, which shows whether there is a Spanish will. A death abroad needs the foreign certificate, apostilled and translated.
• 2. The willA copy of the Spanish will from the notary. If there is only a foreign will, it has to be apostilled and translated; if there is no will, the heirs are established by a declaration of heirs before a notary.
• 3. NIEEvery heir receiving assets in Spain needs a NIE. It is applied for in person, at a Spanish consulate or in Spain; it cannot be obtained by power of attorney.
• 4. Inheritance taxDue within six months of the death. An extension can be requested within the first five months; it is not automatic.
• 5. The deedAll the heirs, or their representatives by power of attorney, sign the deed of acceptance of the inheritance before a Spanish notary.
• 6. RegistrationThe municipal plusvalía is paid to the Dénia town hall and the property is registered in the heirs’ names at the Land Registry.

DéniaProperties in Dénia

We deal with inheritances of villas in Les Rotes and Les Deveses, apartments in Las Marinas and the town centre, and houses on the slopes of the Montgó, in La Xara and in Jesús Pobre. Before the deed is signed, we check the property’s position at the Land Registry and the Catastro: who it is registered to, any mortgage or charge, and whether the description matches what is actually there. If something does not match, you know before signing, not after.

From abroadYou do not have to come to Dénia

Apart from the NIE, the whole inheritance can be handled through a power of attorney, signed at a Spanish consulate in your country or before a notary where you live, then apostilled and translated. We draft the wording and send it to you ready to sign. Most of the families we work for complete the Spanish side without travelling.

After the inheritanceSeveral heirs, or selling

If several heirs inherit the property, they become co-owners and have to agree on what to do with it: keep it, sell it, or have one of them buy out the others. See our page on buying out a co-owner or selling your share. Once the inheritance is completed and the property is registered in the heirs’ names, it can be sold, also by power of attorney.

Questions

Do I need to come to Dénia?

No. Apart from applying for the NIE, which has to be done in person, everything can be done for you by power of attorney.

Is there a deadline?

The inheritance tax has to be filed within six months of the death. That is the one date that does not move, so it is worth starting early, especially when documents have to come from abroad.

What if there are debts?

The inheritance can be accepted “a beneficio de inventario”, which limits the heirs’ liability to the value of what they inherit, or renounced. See our guide on how to accept or reject an inheritance in Spain.

What about inheritance tax in the Valencian Community?

Close family members benefit from substantial reductions, and non-resident heirs can generally apply the regional rules. The figures depend on each case, and we put them in writing before anything is signed.

How we work

We act from our office in Jávea and through our associated office in Dénia. For the whole process, see our guide to probate in Spain and our step-by-step guide to inheriting property in Spain as a non-resident. Nearby: inheritance lawyers in Jávea, Moraira, Benitachell and Teulada.

Tomas Ballestero Lawyers has been advising international clients on Spanish property and succession for more than 30 years. We work in English, Spanish and French.

The lawyers who will handle your inheritance

José Manuel Tomas

Property, Inheritance and Donations · Admitted to the Valencia Bar in 1992 (no. 6407) · Alicante Bar no. 9382

José Rico

Family Law · Valencia Bar no. 12075

Mariano Ortuño

Valencia Bar no. 6041

Manuel Lopez de Andujar

Property, Inheritance and Donations · Valencia Bar no. 7773

Juan Poch

Property, Inheritance and Donations · Alicante Bar no. 3607

María Salvá

Property, Inheritance and Donations – Dénia · Alicante Bar no. 3699

Antonio Rodríguez de Sola

Property, Inheritance and Donations – Dénia · Alicante Bar no. 3374

See buying out a co-owner or selling your share.

How we meetIn person in Jávea, or 100% remote

In person in JáveaMeet us at our office in the Centro Comercial Arenal, Avenida del Pla 126. Meetings in English, French or Spanish.

100% remote, from homeMost of our clients never need to travel. We work by email, phone, WhatsApp and video call, and you sign through a power of attorney. Only the NIE has to be applied for in person, in Spain or at a Spanish consulate.

How much do you charge?

Every inheritance is different, so before any work starts we send you a written quote. You know our fee from the beginning, with no surprises at the end.

Next stepWhat happens when you contact us

1. You send your enquiryThrough the form below, by phone, WhatsApp or email. A few lines are enough.
2. A lawyer reads itNot an assistant: one of our lawyers reviews your situation and replies personally, the same day.
3. We tell you the next stepWhat needs to be checked first, and which documents would help.
4. We confirm scope and feeIn writing, before any work starts.
5. You decideNothing is commissioned until you say yes.

This page is general information about Spanish law and does not constitute legal advice. Every estate is different and you should take advice on your own circumstances before acting.