Mallorca’s real estate and lifestyle appeal have made it a top destination for foreign retirees and second-home owners. When a foreign or Spanish resident passes away, inheritance conflicts can arise — especially when property or bank accounts in Mallorca are involved. If you’re a foreign heir facing complications with a will, division of assets, or other beneficiaries, you may need to pursue inheritance litigation in Mallorca.
⚖️ 1. Why Inheritance Disputes Are Common in Mallorca
Foreign heirs often face:
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Conflicting Spanish and foreign wills
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Exclusion from inheritance
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Disputes between siblings or co-heirs
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Concerns about undue influence or elder manipulation
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Delays or obstruction from the executor or local heirs
📌 These cases are common in Mallorca due to international families, high-value properties, and complex estate planning.
📜 2. Which Inheritance Law Applies?
According to EU Regulation 650/2012:
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If the deceased lived in Mallorca, Spanish law applies by default
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If the deceased chose their home country’s law in their will, that applies
⚠️ Under Spanish law, forced heirship rules limit how much can be left freely:
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2/3 of the estate must go to children
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A surviving spouse typically receives usufruct (lifetime use)
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Wills that ignore this can be challenged in court
🏛️ 3. Going to Court in Mallorca
Common legal procedures:
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Judicial division of inheritance (división judicial de la herencia)
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Contesting the validity of a will (fraud, undue pressure, etc.)
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Requesting asset freezes or injunctions
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Appointing a court accountant (contador partidor) to divide assets
🧾 All cases are filed in the Juzgados de Primera Instancia de Palma de Mallorca.
🌍 4. Do You Need to Travel to Mallorca?
No. You can pursue the case from abroad by:
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Appointing a local inheritance litigation lawyer
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Granting power of attorney (POA)
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Providing documents (will, death certificate, NIE, etc.)
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Working through email, video, and translated filings
✅ Most foreign heirs resolve inheritance conflicts remotely.
🧾 5. What You’ll Need to Start
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Will (Spanish and/or foreign)
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Death certificate
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NIE (foreigner tax ID in Spain)
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Property deeds, bank records, account info
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Your passport and POA
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Communication with other heirs (if applicable)
📌 Legal translations may be required if original documents aren’t in Spanish.
👨💼 How Borderless Lawyers Can Help
We assist foreign heirs by:
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Connecting you with Mallorca-based inheritance litigators
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Reviewing wills under Spanish and international law
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Managing all court filings, translations, and deadlines
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Advising on potential settlements or contested hearings
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Communicating clearly in your native language
📩 Conclusion & CTA
If you’ve been excluded from an estate, face conflicts with other heirs, or believe a Mallorca will was unfair, you have legal options — and you don’t have to be in Spain to act.
👉 Need help with an inheritance dispute in Mallorca?
Borderless Lawyers will connect you with an expert litigation team to defend your rights in the Spanish courts.