Before you accept
Accepting outright means answering for the deceased's debts with your own assets too. We check the liabilities before you decide.
Inheritance & Succession — Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Inherited property or assets in Gran Canaria?
Accepting an inheritance without knowing what it actually includes is one of the most common — and most costly — mistakes an heir living abroad can make. We handle the acceptance, the partition, and the Spanish and Canary Islands tax side, wherever you are. Free initial consultation, no obligation.
Why this matters more from abroad
- You're not on the island to check the estate before accepting anything
- The six-month tax deadline doesn't wait for the family to get organised
- The Canary Islands apply their own inheritance tax rules
- A rushed acceptance can make you liable for debts you didn't know about
An inheritance is rarely just splitting up assets. There can be debts that aren't fully known yet, leased property, a family business, or heirs living in different countries — each of those changes the right approach.
Accepting outright before checking what the estate actually owes is one of the most expensive decisions people make while grieving, with no one there to explain it calmly. We check the real assets and debts first. When there's genuine doubt, accepting under benefit of inventory limits your liability to what you actually inherit.
We handle the partition and the inheritance tax from the same team, coordinated with our own tax practice from day one: in the Canary Islands its treatment has real particularities, and how the estate is divided shapes the final cost.
The moments that decide the outcome
Not an exhaustive list — if your situation isn't here, contact us and we'll tell you plainly whether we can help.
The tax deadline
Six months from the date of death to pay Canary Islands inheritance tax, extendable once if requested in time.
Property in the estate
Partition, adjudication, and registration when the estate includes a home, premises, or land — tenanted or not.
Coordinating from abroad
Power of attorney and video-call consultations, so deadlines and paperwork move even while you're not in Spain.
How we work with heirs abroad
Video-call consultations
You don't need to be on the island, or even in Spain, for the first consultation or for most of the process.
One lawyer, throughout
The person you speak to on day one stays responsible for your case — you are not passed between people.
Explained in plain English
What's happening, what your options are, and what it will cost, confirmed in writing before we begin.
Common questions
Should I just accept the inheritance as it is?
Not always. Accepting outright means answering for the deceased's debts with your own assets too, not only with what you inherit. When there's doubt about what is owed, accepting under benefit of inventory limits your liability to the inherited estate itself.
How long do I have to pay Spanish inheritance tax?
The general deadline is six months from the date of death, extendable by a further six if the extension is requested within the first five. Missing it without requesting an extension adds surcharges and interest that grow over time.
Do I need to travel to Spain to deal with this?
No. Most of it can be handled through a power of attorney granted in your home country, plus video-call consultations. We tell you upfront which specific step, if any, genuinely requires your presence.
Does it matter that the property is in the Canary Islands specifically?
Yes. The Canary Islands apply their own inheritance and gift tax rules, distinct from mainland Spain, and which region's rules apply can itself depend on residency — yours and the deceased's. It's worth getting this checked before assuming a mainland-based estimate applies to you.
How much does this cost?
Fees are agreed in writing before we start, once we understand the scope of your case. The first consultation is free and without obligation.
Related articles
Inheritance Tax in Spain: A Guide for Non-Residents
Which rules apply when the heir doesn't live in Spain, and why the six-month deadline doesn't wait for the family to get organised.
Accepting an Inheritance Without Knowing the Debts: The Benefit of Inventory
Accepting an inheritance outright means answering for the deceased's debts with your own assets too. There is a third option between accepting and renouncing.
The Reinvestment Reserve for the Canary Islands (RIC): A Practical Guide
Up to 90% of undistributed profit can reduce the tax base — but only if the investment is made on time and in the right assets.
Talk to us about the estate
The first consultation is free and without obligation. Call, WhatsApp, or write to us — in English.