A relative died — what do I have to arrange, and who helps?

Direct answer

The first week: the death certificate from the civil registry, the funeral, and telling the bank (accounts are frozen for anyone but the estate). Then the estate: whether there is a will (checked in the national wills register), who inherits, and whether to accept — because in most EU countries you inherit debts too, so you can accept under inventory or refuse, within a deadline. Consejo General del Notariado (notariado.org) — a notary — handles most of it in Spain: the certificate of inheritance, the will, the transfer of property. Juzgado de Primera Instancia — juicio verbal (administraciondejusticia.gob.es) is where refusals and disputes go; Agencia Tributaria — recursos y aplazamientos (901 200 345) wants the inheritance-tax return within its deadline.

Call firstConsejo General del Notariado

Report toJuzgado de Primera Instancia — juicio verbal

If that failsAgencia Tributaria — recursos y aplazamientos

🗣️ What to say

"My [relative] died on [date] in [place]. I would like to know whether a will is registered, who the heirs are, whether I should accept the inheritance and how, and what you need from me to issue the certificate of inheritance."

🪜 Step by step

Death certificateFrom the registry where the death occurred; several copies — every institution wants one.
Do not pay debts, do not clear the house yetHandling the estate as if it were yours can count as accepting it, debts included.
Notary: Consejo General del NotariadoWill search, heirs, certificate of inheritance. Fees are regulated; ask for the estimate.
Accept, accept under inventory, or refuseWithin the legal deadline (months). Under inventory protects you from debts beyond the assets.
Tax: Agencia Tributaria — recursos y aplazamientosReturn within the deadline; exemptions for spouse and children are large in most countries.

📇 All contacts

Consejo General del NotariadoInheritance, deeds, powers of attorneyInheritance and certification🔗 www.notariado.org

Juzgado de Primera Instancia — juicio verbalNo lawyer needed up to €2,000Last step, with the contract and inventories🔗 www.administraciondejusticia.gob.es

Agencia Tributaria — recursos y aplazamientosObjection, deferral, economic-administrative tribunalWithin 1 month of the notification📞 901 200 345 🔗 sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es

Colegio de Abogados — turno de oficio / justicia gratuitaFree lawyer below the income thresholdWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.abogacia.es/servicios-abogacia/justicia-gratuita

❓ Frequently asked

The deceased lived in another EU country

The EU Succession Regulation: the law of the last habitual residence applies, and a European Certificate of Succession works everywhere. The notary there or here can issue it.

I think there are more debts than assets

Refuse, or accept under inventory. Do not touch the estate; ask the notary the same week.

We cannot agree how to divide it

Mediation first — notaries and courts refer to it; then the court divides. Selling the house and splitting the money is the usual outcome.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“inheritance procedure Spain”
“refuse inheritance debts deadline”
“certificate of inheritance notary”
“inheritance tax deadline Spain”
“will register search”

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⚱️ A relative died — what do I have to arrange, and who helps?