Seville’s historic charm and rising property values attract thousands of foreign buyers and expats — but also bring complex legal issues when a loved one passes away or when co-owners clash over real estate. This article outlines how foreigners can navigate inheritance and property disputes in Seville, including legal remedies through the courts.
📜 1. Typical Disputes Foreigners Face
Foreigners in Seville commonly face:
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📄 Conflicts over Spanish vs. foreign wills
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👨👩👧 Disputes with local heirs over property division
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🏘️ Shared inheritance of homes or apartments
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❌ Claims from disinherited children under Spanish law
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🔑 Disagreements over access, occupation, or rental of inherited properties
📌 Common in central areas like Santa Cruz, Triana, Los Remedios, and properties in surrounding Andalusian towns.
⚖️ 2. What Law Applies to Inheritance?
Under EU Regulation 650/2012, succession is governed by:
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The law of the deceased’s habitual residence,
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Unless they explicitly chose their nationality’s law in their will.
💡 If Spanish law applies:
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Two-thirds of the estate must go to forced heirs (usually children).
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The spouse may receive usufruct rights (not full ownership).
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A will that ignores these rules can be contested.
🏛️ 3. How Are Inheritance Disputes Resolved?
Disputes are resolved through:
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Juzgados de Primera Instancia de Sevilla – civil court
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Proceedings like:
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Judicial estate division (división judicial de la herencia)
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Will validity challenges
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Property ownership disputes (co-heirs, sales, squatters)
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📌 A lawyer can request urgent measures (injunctions, asset freezes) if needed.
🌍 4. Can Foreign Heirs Participate Remotely?
Yes. Foreign heirs can fully litigate or settle claims without being in Spain:
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✍️ Grant power of attorney (POA) to a Seville-based lawyer
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📩 Provide digital copies of wills, death certificates, and deeds
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📜 Have documents translated and legalized from abroad
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💻 Follow your case remotely with regular updates
✅ This process avoids costly travel while protecting your inheritance rights.
👨💼 How Borderless Lawyers Supports Foreign Heirs
We connect you with:
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⚖️ Local inheritance and real estate litigation lawyers in Seville
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🌍 Multilingual legal teams (English, French, German, Dutch)
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✍️ Help with POA drafting and notarization
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📋 Guidance on wills, probate, title transfers, and estate sales
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💼 End-to-end case management for heirs abroad
📩 Conclusion & CTA
Spanish inheritance law can be complex — but as a foreign heir, you’re fully entitled to your share. With a trusted legal team, you can resolve disputes over wills or property without setting foot in Spain.
👉 Dealing with an inheritance issue in Seville?
Contact Borderless Lawyers today and we’ll match you with a local expert who helps foreign heirs resolve legal conflicts in Andalusia.