Procedural Steps For Spanish Asset Wills

Instructions
UK will writer advises their client and takes instructions in agreed standard form.
Sub-contracting
We receive type-written instructions from UK will writer in agreed standard form by fax or scanned / attached to e mail.
Invoicing
We scan and e mail the invoice to UK will writer for agreed fee in Sterling. Fees are exempt from VAT.
Payment
Payment of agreed documentation price paid into our UK clearing system Nat West account.
Delivery of Draft Will to UK Will Writer
We send the draft of the will by e mail to the UK will writer by way of a PDF attachment, with any drafting queries which arise.
Approval of Draft Will by UK Will Writer
The UK will writer e mails us with any comments or amendments to the draft will; otherwise confirms that it is agreed.
Delivery to Client
If any changes are required to the first draft of the will, we send by e mail to the UK will writer by way of a PDF attachment the revised, final version of the will, together with attestation guidance notes. The UK will writer sends the final version of the will to the client with the attestation guidance notes, for the client to take to the signature appointment with the Spanish Notary (see below).
Settlement of the Will with Spanish Notary
We then liaise with the closest appropriate Spanish Notary to the place nominated by the client in order to settle the text of the will with the Notary.
Notification of agreement of the Will with the Spanish Notary
We then notify the UK will writer once the will is settled with the Spanish Notary, providing details of the location of the Spanish Notary’s office.
Signature Appointment with the Spanish Notary
The UK will writer (or client directly if preferred) then liaises with us regarding the timing of the signature appointment with the Spanish Notary. We should be contacted by the UK will writer (or client directly if preferred) around a week before the intended date of signature so that we can fix the appointment.
Attestation
Please see the separate guidance note regarding the attestation arrangements.
Registration and Retention of Original Will. The Spanish Notary’s office automatically registers the original will at the Central Wills registry in Madrid. The original copy of the will is then compulsorily stored at the Notary’s storage facility (the client is given a “Copia Simple” as his official copy). The original copy of the will is not released until after the testator’s death.
Probate
Probate4Spain, also part of the Legal4 Spain Group, offers a comprehensive probate service in relation to Spanish assets.