Death in Spain

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105.4

Original Poster:

4,214 posts

78 months

Friday 2nd July 2021
quotequote all
My Father passed away a short time ago in Denia. I am due out there next week to start sorting out his affairs.

As this will be the first time that I’ve had to carry out such a duty, with the added complications of a foreign language and an unfamiliar legal system, any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Can anyone recommend any decent lawyers?
Can anyone recommend a good Spanish-English translator?
How is the sale of his property handled?
Informing utility providers?
Separating Spanish vs British investments, savings and pensions?
Tax obligations, both in Spain and the UK?
How do I get his ashes back to the UK?
And a whole host of other issues I expect to come across.

Thanks in advance.

happie33

282 posts

142 months

Friday 2nd July 2021
quotequote all
condolences to you and family for your loss

first thing to check
he would have had a spainish solicitor whom would have helped with the purchase of the house and also whom would have helped with the yearly IBI..

try and find out whom that is and go from there .

alternatively reach out to any of his ex pat friends whom may know the same spainish solicitor
most people use the same one via verbal recommendations and all that …


his ashes —- i believe they can simply be carried in hand luggage —-/ you may / probably need a document stating you are family and are able to transport the ashes back to the uk …
again the solicitor will help

most spainish solicitors speak better english than us

hope this helps ?

105.4

Original Poster:

4,214 posts

78 months

Friday 2nd July 2021
quotequote all
happie33 said:
condolences to you and family for your loss

first thing to check
he would have had a spainish solicitor whom would have helped with the purchase of the house and also whom would have helped with the yearly IBI..

try and find out whom that is and go from there .

alternatively reach out to any of his ex pat friends whom may know the same spainish solicitor
most people use the same one via verbal recommendations and all that …


his ashes —- i believe they can simply be carried in hand luggage —-/ you may / probably need a document stating you are family and are able to transport the ashes back to the uk …
again the solicitor will help

most spainish solicitors speak better english than us

hope this helps ?
Thank you

My Father has always been very secretive about his personal affairs. My Mother never knew how much he got paid during their 40+ years of marriage until they got divorced. I knew even less than that.

The only thing I can think of is to try and find a will and any other paperwork once I get out there. That is if there is any !

happie33

282 posts

142 months

Friday 2nd July 2021
quotequote all
PS —- take each step at a time

the spainish do not do things quickly

so don’t stress about trying to tie everything up immediately.

make sure you get tax advice regarding sale of house Again solicitor will be able to recommend tax advisor

happie33

282 posts

142 months

Friday 2nd July 2021
quotequote all
sorry for keep reposting

when buying in spain you will tend to use a local solicitor
therefore if you don’t know which solicitor it is
simply go into nearest town and ask each one …
a ball ache i know ….

if property is in a major city not so easy ——
honestly the ex pat community via the local facebook page could be a good point to start

you be surprised how close knit the ex pats are

105.4

Original Poster:

4,214 posts

78 months

Friday 2nd July 2021
quotequote all
happie33 said:
sorry for keep reposting

when buying in spain you will tend to use a local solicitor
therefore if you don’t know which solicitor it is
simply go into nearest town and ask each one …
a ball ache i know ….

if property is in a major city not so easy ——
honestly the ex pat community via the local facebook page could be a good point to start

you be surprised how close knit the ex pats are
Don’t be sorry. I really appreciate all of the advice and tips.

The property is in Denia, so not a large place. My concerns come from my recent experiences of dealing with the Spanish and their nervousness about breaking their own data protection laws. To give an example, when my Father had his heart attack and slipped into a coma, the hospital would only confirm that he was there, but wouldn’t confirm if he was alive or not. We had to get a solicitor involved and jump through various hoops before the hospital would release even the most basic of information.

Stu303

41 posts

197 months

Saturday 3rd July 2021
quotequote all
Hi,

Look for "deniaconnect" on Facebook, post in there and I'm sure people will be able to help - Its a group for Denia residents both Spanish and Ex-pats.

If he lived in a small town close to Denia there may be a separate town hall to deal with. Nearly all the towns have similar community groups on facebook so would search for them too.

If you still struggle after posting in the above DM me and I can put you in touch with my gestor and lawyer in the area who can at least advise you on the best course of action.

Sorry for your loss.

Edited by Stu303 on Saturday 3rd July 03:24

105.4

Original Poster:

4,214 posts

78 months

Saturday 3rd July 2021
quotequote all
Stu303 said:
Hi,

Look for "deniaconnect" on Facebook, post in there and I'm sure people will be able to help - Its a group for Denia residents both Spanish and Ex-pats.

If he lived in a small town close to Denia there may be a separate town hall to deal with. Nearly all the towns have similar community groups on facebook so would search for them too.

If you still struggle after posting in the above DM me and I can put you in touch with my gestor and lawyer in the area who can at least advise you on the best course of action.

Sorry for your loss.
My most sincere thanks Stu.

bristolracer

5,629 posts

156 months

Saturday 3rd July 2021
quotequote all
Do you need to repatriate his ashes?
If he lived happily in Spain he may well have wished for his ashes to be scattered there?

It may also be worth you speaking to the British consulate who will be able to advise you

105.4

Original Poster:

4,214 posts

78 months

Saturday 3rd July 2021
quotequote all
bristolracer said:
Do you need to repatriate his ashes?
If he lived happily in Spain he may well have wished for his ashes to be scattered there?

It may also be worth you speaking to the British consulate who will be able to advise you
The repatriation of Fathers ashes, (and where he wants them scattered), is the only thing I actually know for sure.

I have a contact in the FCO office in Alicante. I’m sure her hands are tied to some extent due to various procedures.