For Spaniards living in the US and Canada

Inheritances and family property in Spain

When a parent or grandparent dies in Spain, the heirs must accept the estate before a Spanish notary before anything can be registered, released or sold. I handle the deed, the inheritance tax and the municipal tax under your power of attorney, and the sale of the home if you decide to sell. Spaniards without a DNI need a Spanish tax number first; I obtain it for you.

When heirs disagree, often because some live in Spain and others abroad, the co-ownership can be ended by agreement before a notary or, failing that, through the courts.

Property you own in Spain

A flat or family house in Spain left empty or rented out needs someone who can act there. I handle evictions for unpaid rent, including the out-of-court step the law now requires before going to court, the recovery of occupied homes and disputes with the owners' association. Recurring non-resident tax returns are filed through a tax adviser I work with.

Your will: which law will govern your estate

If you live in the US or Canada, the law of your state or province will normally govern your whole estate under the EU Succession Regulation, including your property in Spain. Depending on that local law, Spanish real estate may still be referred back to Spanish law, so a single estate can end up governed by two systems. A Spanish will can choose Spanish law instead, which keeps the estate under one law, including the Spanish rules on forced heirship. A Spanish notary or consulate can authorize the will; deciding what it says, and which law it chooses, is the advice I provide.

Moving back to Spain with your family

Since 20 May 2025, the non-Spanish spouse, partner and children of a Spanish citizen have their own residence regime under Royal Decree 1155/2024, separate from ordinary family reunification. I prepare and file the applications so your family can live and work in Spain.

Spaniards who return after at least five years of non-residence may also qualify for the special tax regime for people moving to Spain for work, which must be requested within six months of starting work in Spain. I coordinate that part with a Spanish tax adviser.

Spanish nationality: status reviews and appeals

If you became a US or Canadian citizen as an adult while living abroad, Spanish nationality is normally lost three years after naturalization unless you declared that you wished to keep it. Recovery is usually possible, without giving up your other citizenship, and in most cases you can apply yourself at your consulate.

I help when the answer is unclear or when an application is refused: a written review of your status, a recovery that needs a residence waiver or proof of emigration, and appeals to the Directorate-General for Legal Certainty and Public Faith (DGSJFP) against refusals of nationality applications, including those under the Democratic Memory Law. For US divorces that need recording in Spain, see cross-border family.

Spanish pensions

Spain has social security agreements with the US and Canada, so contributions in both countries can be combined to qualify for a Spanish pension. A new Spain–US agreement signed in April 2024 will introduce, once in force, a double calculation, with and without US contributions, paying whichever is higher. Under the Spain–Canada agreement, contributions to the Quebec Pension Plan do not count for combining periods, but periods of residence under Old Age Security do.

The application itself is free and usually goes through your local social security office. I review the pension you have been awarded or refused, and file the administrative claim and, if needed, the court claim against the INSS.

Fees

Fixed fees in US dollars, confirmed in writing before any work begins. Applicable taxes are confirmed in your written quote. Third-party costs such as notary, registry, taxes, translations and apostilles are charged at cost, unless expressly included. How fees work.

Common questions

Do I need a lawyer to register my child's birth or keep my nationality?

Usually not. Both are done at your consulate, and most people manage them alone. A lawyer helps when the dates are unclear, when documents are missing or when the consulate refuses the application.

I live in Canada. Is the process the same?

Yes. Canada now uses the apostille, so a power of attorney signed before a Canadian notary follows the same route as one signed in the US. Fees are the same and are quoted in US dollars.

I naturalized more than three years ago and never made the declaration. Am I still Spanish?

Probably not. If you naturalized voluntarily as an adult while living abroad, Spanish nationality is normally lost when the three years end, even if you still hold a valid Spanish passport. The dates and the rules in force at the time can change that, so I check your chronology before advising on recovery, which is usually possible.

Do I have to renounce US citizenship to keep or recover Spanish nationality?

No. Neither the declaration to keep Spanish nationality nor its recovery requires you to give up US citizenship.

I became a US citizen as a child with my parents. Does the rule apply to me?

Acquisition as a child needs a separate review. Emancipation, later residence abroad and exclusive use of another nationality may matter. Do not assume that the date of your parents’ naturalization starts your own deadline.