“An estate or will can make or break a family’s assets”, said Ebrat. During the presentation, he itemized the major sticking points involved in receiving an inheritance.

Ebrat talked about the importance of seeking out good advice not just from a lawyer, but also from a notary when it comes time to write a will, given that the process entails civil, tax, family and in some cases commercial questions.

To inform his point, Ebrat went through a few typical conflicts, such as last-minute changes to wills, widower rights, the inheritance of sons- and daughters-in-law, inheritances without a will, inheritance involving unmarried couples and forced heirship.

The speaker also explained what can be said in a will, the advantages and disadvantages of making donations and recent regulatory changes on taxes due when receiving an inheritance.

Alejandro Ebrates is a lawyer at Picart-Ebrat Abogados law firm. He is also the Director of the Tax Law Division of the Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB) and Vice President of the Catalan Association of Inheritance Law Specialists (ACEDS).