Ways to Make a Will

The will is perhaps the most well-known notarial document.

By making a will, you avoid the need for a declaration of heirs in the event of death. It allows you to specify who you want to be your heirs (while respecting the legal system of "legítimas" or forced heirship), as well as the specific amount you want them to inherit.

Additionally, a will allows you to designate specific assets to particular heirs. (For example, I want my car to go to my eldest son.)

In short, through a will, you can determine where your assets should go when you pass away.

Types of Wills

There are different types of wills:

Open Notarial Will

This is the most common type. In this case, the notary will advise you on the most appropriate way to ensure that your last will complies with the law and avoids any potential issues in the future. It is undoubtedly the most recommended and most frequently used type in practice.

Closed Will

In this case, you provide the notary with a sealed envelope containing your will. The notary's role is simply to safeguard the envelope until your death, but they do not know its contents. This type is the most private, as even the notary does not know what is written inside, though it carries the risk that the will may not comply with legal requirements.

Holographic Will

This is a handwritten will by the testator (the person making the will) without any involvement of a notary. After the testator’s death, a complex notarial process must be followed to verify the authenticity of the document. It is only advisable in exceptional cases.

Necessary Documentation

To make a will, you simply need to appear before any notary with your DNI. If you are uncertain about your decisions, you can request free advice, which the notary will gladly provide.