Inheritance in Spain: What to do after death?

Questioner

Our uncle died in Spain on November 17th, he only has a Dutch will. He has a bank account in Spain and the Netherlands. The will states that Dutch law applies. We paid all the costs of cremation and other things from the Dutch account. Now only the Spanish bank account remains. He has no real estate or movable property in Spain. We have no insight into what exactly is left in finances in Spain. We are afraid that all the paperwork that has to be done now, the costs are higher than the money. What happens if we do nothing and leave it at this?

Lawyer

In fact, the heirs have a claim on the inheritance because of the costs you mention. Didn't the uncle have real estate in Spain? The new European inheritance law regulates which law applies. If your uncle made a Dutch will before 17-08-2015 in which he declares that Dutch law applies, if that is the case, then you can accept under benefit of inventory. This treaty does not regulate anything regarding tax matters. But I do not foresee that heirs have to pay tax in Spain. Has the rental property been terminated? The bank account must also be terminated. There will certainly be rules about what should happen to unterminated bank accounts, which are linked to a Spanish residence or NIE number.