Updated: May 2026
Tomas Ballestero Lawyers drafts Spanish wills for American citizens who own (or are buying) property in Jávea (Alicante province, Costa Blanca — Marina Alta) and across the Costa Blanca. We have been doing this since 1992 — over 30 years of experience. Our lawyers are registered with the Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Valencia (ICAV) and serve in English and French. 72+ verified 5★ Google reviews. Initial consultation free.
Why a U.S. Citizen with Property in Jávea Should Have a Spanish Will
A Spanish will (testamento notarial) covering your Spanish-situs assets is the single most effective way to make your succession in Spain fast, cheap and predictable for your heirs. Without one, your heirs typically have to bring a U.S. probate order or letters testamentary into Spain — apostilled, sworn-translated and reconciled with Spanish notarial procedure. That is slow, expensive and prone to delay. A Spanish will dovetails with your U.S. estate plan: it governs only the Spanish assets, leaving your U.S. estate plan untouched for everything in the U.S.
Our Wills Service for U.S. Citizens in Jávea
Spanish Notarial Will — drafted in English and Spanish
We draft a bilingual testamento in English and Spanish covering your Spanish-situs assets (your Jávea property, Spanish bank accounts, vehicles). The will is executed before a Spanish notary in Jávea and registered with the Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad (the Spanish Central Wills Registry) — so your heirs can locate it instantly when the time comes.
Choice of Law under EU Regulation 650/2012 (Brussels IV)
Under EU Regulation 650/2012, a non-Spanish national can elect their national law (the law of the State of which they are a citizen) to govern their succession in Spain. For U.S. nationals, this allows you to choose the law of the U.S. state of which you are a citizen (where applicable). We include the choice-of-law clause correctly, with the relevant U.S. state’s reference, so your testamentary wishes are respected.
Coordination with Your U.S. Estate Plan
We draft so the Spanish will and your U.S. will/trust do not conflict — typically by limiting each to the assets in its own jurisdiction. We advise only on the Spanish side and coordinate with your U.S. estate attorney to make sure neither document inadvertently revokes the other.
Practical Mechanics — Sign in Spain or by POA
The Spanish notarial will is signed before a Spanish notary. If you are visiting Jávea we attend with you. If you cannot travel, we can put the framework in place during a visit, or arrange the appropriate procedure via consular channels.
What the Spanish Will Avoids for Your Heirs
- No need to import a U.S. probate order, with apostille and sworn translation, just to access the Spanish bank account or transfer the deed.
- No conflict between your U.S. estate plan and Spanish forced-heirship interpretation (the choice of U.S. law under EU 650/2012 controls).
- Faster notarial acceptance of the Spanish part of the inheritance — usually a much shorter process for the heirs.
- Cleaner filing of Spanish Inheritance Tax (Modelo 650 — Comunidad Valenciana regime) because the heirs are clearly identified.
We do not commit to fixed timelines for drafting and execution — each will is built around your specific assets, family structure and U.S. estate plan.
Frequently Asked Questions — Wills for U.S. Citizens in Jávea
Do I need a Spanish will if I already have a U.S. will?
You do not strictly need one — but having one tailored to your Spanish-situs assets dramatically speeds up and reduces the cost of your heirs’ procedure in Spain. It is the single most effective estate-planning step for U.S. property owners on the Costa Blanca.
Will my Spanish will revoke my U.S. will?
Not if it is drafted correctly. We draft so the Spanish will limits itself to Spanish-situs assets and expressly preserves the U.S. estate plan for U.S. assets. Coordination with your U.S. estate attorney is part of the work.
Can I choose U.S. state law in my Spanish will?
Yes — under EU Regulation 650/2012, a U.S. national can elect U.S. (state) law to govern their Spanish succession, included as a choice-of-law clause in the Spanish notarial will.
Why work with Tomas Ballestero Lawyers for a Jávea will?
30+ years drafting bilingual notarial wills for international clients in Jávea, Dénia and the wider Costa Blanca. Lawyers registered with the Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Valencia (ICAV). Services in English and French. 72+ verified 5★ Google reviews. Initial consultation free.
Contact Us — Free Initial Consultation
We will review your Spanish-situs assets and your U.S. estate plan, and propose a clean Spanish will that dovetails with them. Languages: English and French. Offices: Jávea and Valencia.
