Comprehensive Probate Services in Spain and the UK
Everything You Need, Managed With Precision and Care
Our service is built to remove complexity and give you clarity. We handle every requirement in Spain and the UK, guiding you through each step so you always feel informed, supported and confident that everything is being managed correctly.
Specialist legal and tax services for British expats in Tenerife
Clear guidance for property, tax, and estate matters in the Canary Islands
We provide specialist legal and tax services for British expats living in or connected to Tenerife and the Canary Islands. Our work focuses on helping UK nationals understand how Spanish rules apply to property ownership, inheritance, capital gains tax, and estate planning, so decisions can be made with clarity and confidence.
Whether you are buying or selling property, planning your estate, or dealing with Spanish tax obligations, our services are designed to reduce complexity, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure matters are handled correctly under Spanish law.
Our most requested services
Specialist support for British expats in Tenerife and the Canary Islands
We regularly assist British expats with a small number of key legal and tax matters connected to property and estate planning in Spain. The services below reflect the most common areas where clear guidance can make a meaningful difference.
Inheritance Tax in Tenerife
We help UK nationals understand how Canary Islands inheritance tax rules apply to their assets and what steps can be taken to protect beneficiaries and avoid unnecessary complications.
Capital Gains Tax in Tenerife
Our capital gains tax service focuses on helping you understand the tax implications of a sale in Tenerife, including costs, reporting requirements, and how to plan with confidence.
Spanish Wills for British Expats
We assist British expats with drafting and reviewing Spanish wills, helping ensure your wishes are clear and your estate can be handled smoothly under Spanish law.
Our full range of services
Comprehensive legal and tax support for British expats in Spain
In addition to our most requested services, we provide a wider range of legal and tax support for British expats with interests in Tenerife and across Spain. Our services are designed to address the full lifecycle of property ownership, estate planning, and Spanish tax obligations, offering clear guidance at every stage.
UK probate and estate administration
Managing the entire probate process, including PA1 submissions, HMRC filings and legal requirements to ensure probate is granted smoothly.
Asset valuations and estate accounting
Providing accurate valuations, preparing income and capital accounts, and ensuring everything is compliant and ready for distribution.
UK inheritance tax planning
Preparing all IHT forms (including IHT400), applying reliefs and exemptions, securing nil-rate bands and reviewing historic gifts to minimise tax liabilities.
Estate income account preparation
We prepare a clear, accurate income account for the estate, ensuring all income is properly recorded and compliant with HMRC requirements.
Maximising IHT reliefs and allowances
We identify and apply every available allowance and relief, including all nil-rate bands, residence allowances and transferable amounts, helping reduce the estate’s tax exposure.
Estate capital account preparation
A complete capital account is produced, detailing all assets, investments and property so the estate can progress smoothly through probate.
7 year gifting and historic gift review
We review all gifts made within the last seven years, including past gifting patterns, to ensure accurate reporting and prevent unexpected tax issues.
Guidance on final estate distribution
We advise on the most tax-efficient way to distribute the estate, helping executors make informed decisions that protect beneficiaries from unnecessary tax.
Thorough estate searches
We conduct thorough searches to locate any unclaimed, forgotten or unknown accounts and assets, ensuring the estate is fully accounted for.
Spanish probate and inheritance management
Full management of the Spanish probate process, including documents, translations, tax filings and coordination with local authorities, handled correctly to avoid delays and added costs.
Document preparation, translation and legal validation
Preparing, translating and legalising all essential documents, wills, death certificates, certificates of law, Apostilles and notarial paperwork, ensuring everything is recognised in Spain.
Spanish tax compliance and asset transfer support
Managing NIE applications, Spanish tax filings, IHT and CGT considerations, and coordinating with Spanish authorities to complete probate and release or sell Spanish assets.
Spanish Will Creation & Review
Creating or updating a Spanish will to ensure assets in Spain are legally protected, recognised, and transferred smoothly according to Spanish inheritance law.
NIE Number Assistance for Heirs
Supporting heirs in obtaining or renewing NIE numbers, a requirement for signing inheritance deeds, paying taxes, or selling Spanish property.
Obtaining Official Documents
Securing certificados de defunción (death certificates), últimas voluntades, property registry notes, and other required legal documents to progress the inheritance.
Spanish Inheritance Deed Notary Coordination
Liaising with Spanish notaries on your behalf, preparing required paperwork, and ensuring all parties sign correctly so assets can be legally transferred.
Spanish Bank Account Closure & Fund Release
Handling bank communication, gathering required proof and certificates, and ensuring funds held in Spanish accounts are released or transferred to beneficiaries.
Spanish Property Sale & Post-Inheritance Support
Coordinating valuations, tax calculations, estate agent communication, and the full sale process for inherited Spanish property, including advice on CGT and 3% retention recovery.
FAQs
Answers to the most common UK–Spain probate questions
You’ll find answers to many common questions about UK–Spain probate below. If you’d like more details, contact us directly. We’re always happy to talk things through and provide clear guidance.
How can I avoid or reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the Canary Islands?
Inheritance tax can often be reduced significantly, and in many cases eliminated altogether, with the right planning. By structuring assets correctly, using the appropriate allowances and ensuring both UK and Spanish requirements are met, it is possible to avoid most, if not all, IHT in the Canary Islands.
How do I plan my estate to reduce UK and Spanish taxes during probate?
Good organisation makes a significant difference. With the right structure, documentation and cross-border planning, many British expatriates can avoid virtually all UK and Spanish taxes at the end of an estate. We guide you through each step to ensure your affairs are arranged efficiently.
How do I minimise Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when selling Spanish property or assets?
There are specific reliefs, exemptions and timing strategies that can minimise CGT when selling Spanish property or investments. We review both your UK and Spanish position to ensure you only pay what is legally required, and not more.
Are UK wills legally valid in Spain, and should I have a Spanish will as well?
A UK will is recognised, but it often requires additional steps, translations and legal validation before Spain will accept it. A Spanish will prevents delays and makes the process far more straightforward for your family.
Why is a Spanish will important for British expatriates in Spain?
A Spanish will ensures your wishes are followed correctly in Spain and prevents delays or legal challenges. It works alongside your UK will and helps avoid complications between the two legal systems.
How does Richmond handle HMRC requirements during UK probate?
We handle all communication with HMRC on your behalf, including IHT forms, valuations, allowances, reliefs and historic gift assessments. You do not need to deal with HMRC directly.
Should I set up a Power of Attorney (POA) in Spain, and how does it help with probate?
Yes, arranging Power of Attorney early protects you if decisions need to be made when you are unable to manage them yourself. It also allows your representative to handle essential tasks in Spain without delay, making the probate process much smoother for your family.
How does Spanish residency or non-residency affect tax and probate?
Your residency status affects tax rates, available allowances, and how assets are treated during probate. We explain the implications clearly and help you structure your affairs in the most efficient way.
What is involved in cross-border probate between the UK and Spain?
Both countries require their own documentation, tax filings and legal approvals. This can create delays if not managed correctly. We handle each side of the process, ensuring everything aligns and nothing is missed.
What does probate cost in Spain and the UK?
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your estate and whether Spanish, UK or cross-border requirements are involved. We offer a free consultation where we review your situation, explain what is needed and provide a clear, fixed quotation before any work begins.
Exceptional Attention to Detail
“Nothing was rushed. Every step was simple to follow.”
Smooth From Start to Finish
“We felt supported throughout a difficult time.”
Reassuring Clarity
“Everything was explained clearly and made sense straight away.”
Join the Many Families Who’ve Already Trusted Us With Their Probate
In a difficult time, you don’t have to navigate probate alone. Join the many British families in Spain who’ve already turned to us for clear, steady guidance. Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we’ll sit down with you over a cup of tea and talk everything through at your pace.