Probate Services Tenerife
Expert Probate and Estate Planning Services for British Expats in Tenerife
Expert advice for British families managing estates across Spain and the United Kingdom.
Qualifications & Expertise
Personal Probate Service in Tenerife
Expert guidance backed by 30 years of experience
With three decades of estate, tax and probate expertise, including 20 years at KPMG, Keith Hamill provides clear, personal support to British expatriates in Tenerife who want their estate handled with precision, care and absolute clarity.
30 years of experience
Decades of expertise ensuring your estate is handled correctly and efficiently, with total attention to detail.
Professional qualifications
Accredited expertise that gives you confidence every detail is accurate, compliant and properly managed.
Personal, face-to-face service
Focused support that makes the entire process clearer, calmer and easier for you and your family.
Navigating Cross-Border Probate
When probate across Spain and the UK becomes complicated
Different legal systems, tax rules and documents can make the process difficult for the people you leave behind. Important details are easy to miss, and even minor errors can lead to delays, unexpected costs and added pressure for your family.
Delays that slow the process
Different rules in each country can easily hold things up.
Unnecessary tax costs
Missed allowances mean your family may pay more tax.
Extra stress for your family
Cross-border paperwork creates pressure at an emotional time.
Confusing tax rules
UK and Spanish tax systems don’t line up, making mistakes easy.
The Canary Islands offer significant tax relief for many close family members, but this relief is not automatic. Deadlines must be met and documentation prepared correctly. For British expats, the key risk is not usually the tax rate itself, but ensuring UK and Spanish estate planning arrangements work together so heirs avoid unnecessary delays or complications.
If any of this feels unclear or overwhelming, get in touch, and we’ll explain everything step by step.
Peace of mind during a complex process
“We felt completely overwhelmed trying to manage probate between Spain and the UK. Keith took everything off our shoulders and explained each step so clearly. What felt impossible suddenly became manageable. We’re so grateful for his calm and patient support.”
Sarah & David M.
A Complete, Fully Managed Probate Service
Clear guidance and careful support at every step
Cross-border probate doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. At Richmond, we guide you through each stage with a structured process that keeps everything clear, organised and fully compliant in both countries.
Here’s how we support you from your first conversation through to completion.
1. Free consultation
We sit down together, take our time, and talk through your situation at your own pace. You’ll get clear guidance on what’s needed and what happens next.
2. Review of your estate and required documents
We assess all relevant information, UK and Spanish, so nothing is overlooked. You’ll know exactly which documents are needed and why.
3. Preparation, translations and legal formalities
All paperwork, translations, certificates, and legal requirements are completed accurately, including UK and Spanish validations, apostilles and notarial steps.
4. Liaison with tax offices and authorities
We communicate directly with HMRC, the Spanish Tax Office and any required notaries on your behalf, ensuring every filing and request is completed correctly.
5. Settlement of tax, valuations and financial requirements
We calculate and apply all allowances, reliefs and exemptions, prepare valuations, and ensure both UK and Spanish tax obligations are handled properly.
6. Finalisation and secure transfer of assets
Once everything is approved, we guide the release or transfer of assets, provide all final documentation, and make sure your family receives exactly what they should.
Need Help Understanding the Probate Process?
If you’re navigating probate after the loss of a loved one, you don’t have to manage it alone. We’ll sit with you, explain exactly what needs to be done, and take the pressure off during an already difficult time.
Comprehensive Cross Border Probate Services in Spain and the UK
Everything you need, managed with precision and care
Our service is built to remove complexity and give you clarity. We handle every requirement in Spain and the UK, guiding you through each step so you always feel informed, supported and confident that everything is being managed correctly.
UK probate and estate administration
Managing the entire probate process, including PA1 submissions, HMRC filings and legal requirements to ensure probate is granted smoothly.
Asset valuations and estate accounting
Providing accurate valuations, preparing income and capital accounts, and ensuring everything is compliant and ready for distribution.
UK inheritance tax planning
Preparing all IHT forms (including IHT400), applying reliefs and exemptions, securing nil-rate bands and reviewing historic gifts to minimise tax liabilities.
Spanish probate and inheritance management
Full management of the Spanish probate process, including documents, translations, tax filings and coordination with local authorities, handled correctly to avoid delays and added costs.
Document preparation, translation and legal validation
Preparing, translating and legalising all essential documents, wills, death certificates, certificates of law, Apostilles and notarial paperwork, ensuring everything is recognised in Spain.
Spanish tax compliance and asset transfer support
Managing NIE applications, Spanish tax filings, IHT and CGT considerations, and coordinating with Spanish authorities to complete probate and release or sell Spanish assets.
Testimonials
Hear from families who trusted Richmond Probate with their estates
The families Keith supports often tell us how much they appreciate his calm, personal approach. Their words reflect the clarity and peace of mind that come from having everything properly organised.
“After losing a family member, handling probate felt overwhelming. Keith explained everything clearly and made the process manageable during a very difficult time.”
“After my partner died, managing UK and Spanish paperwork as an expat felt impossible. Keith took control of everything and lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.”
“We had no idea how complicated UK–Spain probate could be. Keith explained the whole process clearly and dealt with every detail, making it far easier than we expected.”
“Navigating probate as an expat in Tenerife felt daunting, but Keith managed all the cross-border paperwork efficiently. His calm, organised approach gave me real confidence.”
Richmond Probate Tenerife FAQs
Answers to the most common UK–Spain probate questions
You’ll find answers to many common questions about UK–Spain probate below. If you’d like more details, you can explore our full FAQ page or contact us directly. We’re always happy to talk things through and provide clear guidance.
How can I avoid or reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the Canary Islands?
Inheritance tax can often be reduced significantly, and in many cases eliminated altogether, with the right planning. By structuring assets correctly, using the appropriate allowances and ensuring both UK and Spanish requirements are met, it is possible to avoid most, if not all, IHT in the Canary Islands.
How do I plan my estate to reduce UK and Spanish taxes during probate?
Good organisation makes a significant difference. With the right structure, documentation and cross-border planning, many British expatriates can avoid virtually all UK and Spanish taxes at the end of an estate. We guide you through each step to ensure your affairs are arranged efficiently.
How do I minimise Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when selling Spanish property or assets?
There are specific reliefs, exemptions and timing strategies that can minimise CGT when selling Spanish property or investments. We review both your UK and Spanish position to ensure you only pay what is legally required, and not more.
Are UK wills legally valid in Spain, and should I have a Spanish will as well?
A UK will is recognised, but it often requires additional steps, translations and legal validation before Spain will accept it. A Spanish will prevents delays and makes the process far more straightforward for your family.
What does probate cost in Spain and the UK?
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your estate and whether Spanish, UK or cross-border requirements are involved. We offer a free consultation where we review your situation, explain what is needed and provide a clear, fixed quotation before any work begins.
Join the Many Families Who’ve Already Trusted Us With Their Probate
In a difficult time, you don’t have to navigate probate alone. Join the many British families in Spain who’ve already turned to us for clear, steady guidance. Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we’ll sit down with you over a cup of tea and talk everything through at your pace.