Probate lawyer Michael Davies writes about legal issues affecting ex-pats in Spain

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by Michael Davies

News and opinion on European and Spanish regulations affecting ex-pats who retire, play or invest in Spain

Michael Davies is a Spanish lawyer specialised in probate, inheritance tax and inheritance related litigation for ex-pats in Spain.

Alzheimer and the Law.

4 August 2015

Question: My wife has just recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer decease. It is at an early stage, but I would like to know if their is anything we should be doing from a legal point of view while she is still of able mind. Answer:Being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer is a terrifying experience and talking
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Published in: wills/estate planning, Power of attorney, law for the elderly

Legal guideline: Over 80 and going back to the u.k: The 7 points to consider before you go

16 July 2015

My parents are over 80 , not getting any younger and considering returning to the u.k.: The 7 things we consider you should look into . Question: My mother and father need to move back to the u.k. due to bad health and missing their grandchildren , with my mother moving into a home immediately
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Published in: law for the elderly

The wealthier you are the more time you need to dedicate to estate planning.

7 July 2015

LEGAL CORNER. If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail [email protected] QUESTION. My wife and myself are resident in Marbella. I have the house where we live in plus 11 rental properties. (3 in Sevilla, 2 in Marbella and 6 in Javea ). The total value of these assets is about
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Published in: inheritance tax

DO I NEED A SPANISH WILL?

19 June 2015

This article originally published in 2015 has been updated in March 2021 Do I really need to make a Spanish will ? If is very simple. If you have assets in Spain is highly advisable to make a Spanish will to death with your assets in Spain. After 25 years handling probate for ex-pats in
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Published in: wills/estate planning

How to choose a solicitor to handle your purchase in Spain?

19 June 2015

NOT ALL SOLICITORS ARE BORN EQUAL If you are purchasing property in Spain, it is not a good idea to choose the solicitor simply because he/she has been recommended by the estate agent or builder. We have offices in Marbella, Almeria city and Mojacar. We deal with conveyancing on the costa del Sol (Marbella, Estepona,
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Published in: buying a property in Spain ,conveyancing

Renouncing an inheritance in favour of another person can be a very expensive mistake.

17 June 2015

QUESTION: My brother and myself recently inherited a villa in Fuengirola worth 400000 euro. I agreed with my brother that he keep the property and I would compensate him. We discussed this with our solicitor and with this as the background agreement we assisted the notary and we both signed a deed in which I
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Published in: inheritance tax

How to lodge a complaint against an Abogado/Solicitor. What happens if he is not really a solicitor?

9 June 2015

I HAVE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY TITLE DEED AND TO MAKE THINS WORSE , I AM NOT EVEN CERTAIN IF THE PERSON THAT HANDLED MY CONVEYANCE IS A SOLICITOR. On some occasions we have had people coming so see us asking us how to lodge a complaint about a solicitor only to find that
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Published in: Solicitors/Lawyers

Basic guideline to purchasing a property in Spain.(Mojacar, Vera, Marbella, Alicante, Moraira,Estepona, Benalmadena, Mijas)

4 June 2015

This is a very general outline of the work that goes on behind the scene, so that you have a rough idea of what to expect. You can take part in the fun by being present at the signing or your solicitor can deal with the transaction using a power of attorney. Do not attempt
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Published in: buying a property in Spain ,conveyancing

Choosing an estate agent to sell your property.

2 June 2015

The 6 questions we recommend you ask your estate agent before signing an estate agency agreement. 1. What type of contract do you use? There are many different types of contract and each has its benefits and draw backs. The contracts can be classified in two main groups with variations of each. Multi agency – You
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Published in: Conveyancing selling property, Estate Agents

Fraudulent use of our name for a Nigerian letter scam. False inheritance.

18 May 2015

BE CAREFUL WITH THE NIGERIAN LETTER 419 SCAM (FALSE INHERITANCE) IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED AN E-MAIL WITH OUR NAME STATING THAT YOU HAVE INHERITED 12 MILLION EURO, I AM AFRAID TO SAY IT IS NOT REALY US, AND THAT YO HAVE SADLY NOT INHERITED ALL THAT MONEY. Back in 2010 the name Michael
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Published in: Fraudulent use of our name . Nigerian letter False inheritance scam