Regardless of the testator’s nationality or place of residence, all wills made in Spain are tracked by the Central Registry of Wills in Spain (Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad), a public registry. Here, we discuss the Central Registry of Wills in Spain and its advantages.
What is the Central Registry of Wills?
The Ministry of Justice is in charge of running the registry, which was established in 1985 to facilitate the process of locating and obtaining copies of wills for heirs and other interested parties. Additionally, the registry prevents fraud by ensuring that the deceased’s wishes are honoured.
The testator must submit a copy of the will to the Central Registry of Wills for it to be registered. A death certificate and a notarized copy of the will are required. A will that has been registered is added to a central database that everyone with a rightful interest can view. A formal request and documentation of the requester’s identification and interest must be submitted to the registrar to get a copy of a registered will.
Advantages
The Central Registry of Wills is a crucial resource for estate management and planning in Spain. It assists in making sure the heirs of the deceased receive their just inheritance and that their desires are honoured.
The following are some advantages of having a will registered with Spain’s Central Registry of Wills:
- It facilitates the process for heirs to find and get copies of wills. Without the registry, heirs would be forced to look through the files kept by each notary public in Spain to locate a will.
- It helps to prevent fraud. A will cannot be changed or cancelled without the testator’s knowledge and approval after it has been registered. This aids in shielding heirs from dishonest people’s deception.
- It guarantees adherence to the departed person’s wishes. By keeping track of the deceased’s intentions, the registry helps to ensure that their will is honoured. This is particularly crucial if the deceased had assets spread across several nations.
Registering your will with the Central Registry of Wills is crucial if you have one in Spain. This will help to ensure that your wishes are honoured and make it simpler for your heirs to find and receive a copy of your will.
For help with Spanish probate issues, contact Spanish Probate Matters on 0208 150 2010.
