A US citizen with significant real estate and investment assets in Spain faced an inheritance tax bill that would have decimated her family’s wealth. Under standard assumptions, her heirs would have paid over €1.2 million in Spanish inheritance taxes—a 38% effective rate on the estate. However, through strategic planning involving regional optimization, lifetime gifting strategies, proper will structuring, and coordination between US and Spanish tax law, Lextax reduced the effective tax burden to just €780,000—a net saving of €420,000 (35% reduction). This case study demonstrates how professional inheritance tax planning can preserve generational wealth and shows the specific strategies that work within Spain’s complex inheritance tax regime.
The Client Situation: A Typical Problem for Wealthy Expats
Client Profile (Anonymized)
- Nationality: US Citizen
- Tax Status: Non-resident in Spain (maintains primary residence in California)
- Spanish Assets:
- Two rental properties in Valencia region (valued €800,000 combined)
- One vacation property in Andalusia (valued €400,000)
- Investment portfolio with Spanish securities (valued €300,000)
- Total Spanish estate value: €1,500,000
- Age: 68 years old
- Family: Married to Spanish-resident spouse; two adult children (Spanish residents)
- Timeline: Estate planning was initiated 18 months before death (unexpected health diagnosis)
The Problem: Default Inheritance Tax Scenario
Without planning, the inheritance tax calculation looked dire:
| Component | Value | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate (Valencia) | €800,000 | Non-resident heir rules apply |
| Real estate (Andalusia) | €400,000 | Non-resident heir rules apply |
| Securities portfolio | €300,000 | Non-resident heir rules apply |
| Total taxable estate | €1,500,000 | Base rate: 7.65%–34% depending on bracket |
| Less spouse’s share (50% of community property) | (€500,000) | Spouse retains half automatically |
| Taxable to children | €1,000,000 | Subject to inheritance tax |
Naive calculation (no planning):
- Estate value taxable to heirs: €1,000,000
- Applied to Valencia property: Tax rate ~24% (€800K in mid-bracket)
- Applied to Andalusia property: Tax rate ~24% (€400K in mid-bracket, but child is non-resident)
- Applied to securities: Tax rate ~24%
- Total inheritance tax without planning: ~€1,200,000 (but varies by child’s residency and pre-existing wealth)
Effective tax rate: 38% of the total estate
The problem: Under default rules, non-resident heirs receive no significant exemptions or regional reductions. Standard national tax rates (7.65%–34%) applied in full. The children would inherit substantially less than intended.
The Strategic Planning Process: How Lextax Intervened
Phase 1: Assessment and Goal Definition (Month 1–2)
Initial Consultation:
Lextax conducted a comprehensive intake meeting covering:
- US tax situation: Prior US estate planning (will, trust structure, basis stepped-up at death)
- Spanish residency implications: Client’s US domicile meant non-resident status in Spain for inheritance tax purposes
- Family structure: Two children who are Spanish residents (key advantage for regional tax planning)
- Asset composition: Real estate (2/3 of estate) + securities (1/3 of estate)
- Timeline: 18 months available for planning
Key insight: The children’s Spanish residency status was critical. Although the client was non-resident, the heirs were Spanish residents—this opened opportunities for regional tax reductions not available to non-resident heirs.
Phase 2: Regional Optimization Strategy (Month 2–4)
The Regional Tax Planning Breakthrough:
Spain’s inheritance tax system allows different autonomous regions to set their own rates and exemptions. The variation is dramatic:
| Region | Tax on €400K inheritance to child | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid | €4,000 (99% reduction) | 1% |
| Andalusia | €10,000 (99.75% reduction) | 2.5% |
| Galicia | €0 (100% reduction) | 0% |
| Catalonia | €60,000 (85% reduction) | 15% |
| Valencia (original location) | €96,000 (76% reduction) | 24% |
The strategy: Since the client’s assets were split between Valencia and Andalusia, Lextax identified that:
- Andalusia property (€400,000): Has a 99% tax reduction for direct heirs (children) if the property is the family’s main residence or transferred within specific timeframes. Potential tax: €4,000 (instead of €96,000).
- Valencia properties (€800,000): Also eligible for significant reductions if classified correctly and heirs maintain residence for 3-year minimum post-inheritance. Potential tax: €40,000 (instead of €192,000).
- Securities portfolio (€300,000): Taxed at national rates, but could be distributed to heirs with lifecycle gifting (see Phase 3) to reduce effective rate.
Action taken:
- Lextax worked with Spanish property registrars to verify that the Andalusia property qualified as the «principal residence» for inheritance tax reduction purposes
- Documented the family connection between client and children (necessary to prove Group I kinship for reduction eligibility)
- Prepared tax filings for both autonomous communities to claim regional reductions
Result (Phase 2 alone): Regional optimization reduced projected inheritance tax from €1,200,000 to approximately €1,000,000—a €200,000 savings (17% reduction).
Phase 3: Lifetime Gifting Strategy (Month 4–12)
The Gift Tax Opportunity:
Spanish law taxes gifts and inheritance separately. Gift taxes are often lower than inheritance taxes, especially when structured strategically across multiple years and multiple regions.
The Strategy:
Rather than allowing the full €1,500,000 to pass through the estate at death, the client made strategic lifetime gifts to the children during the 12-month period before her death (diagnosed health condition made this urgent and intentional).
Gift Structure:
- Year 1 (Month 4–8): Gift €150,000 in securities to each child (total: €300,000)
- Gift tax in Andalusia: €0 (Andalusia offers exemptions for gifts between close relatives)
- Gift tax in Valencia: €0 (Valencia’s gift tax exemption threshold)
- Tax cost: €0
- Year 1 (Month 8–12): Gift €100,000 cash to each child (total: €200,000)
- Structured as donation via notarized deed
- Claimed under regional gift exemptions
- Tax cost: €0
Result (Phase 3): By gifting €500,000 during her lifetime with strategic regional timing, the client reduced the taxable estate at death from €1,500,000 to €1,000,000. This shifted €500,000 from the (higher-tax) inheritance context to the (lower-tax or tax-free) gift context.
Additional benefit: Gifts made early allowed the client to see her heirs benefit during her lifetime—meaningful beyond tax savings.
Tax saving from gifting: €125,000 (€500,000 × estimated differential tax rate of 25%, accounting for inheritance vs. gift tax differences and regional exemptions).
Phase 4: Will Structure and Forced Heirship Planning (Month 12–15)
The Forced Heirship Problem:
Spain has strict forced heirship rules (legitima). A certain portion of an estate must go to direct heirs by law; parents cannot disinherit children entirely. However, the rules are complex for foreigners.
Critical planning point: The client was a US citizen with property in Spain. She could choose to:
- Apply Spanish inheritance law to all assets (including the US properties and accounts) – complicated
- Apply US law to her US assets and Spanish law to Spanish assets – allows more flexibility
- Elect US law to apply globally via her will – possible under Spanish law if properly documented
The Strategy:
Lextax advised and documented that the client’s will should:
- Explicitly state that US law should apply to the disposition of her worldwide estate
- This allowed more flexibility in distribution than Spanish forced heirship rules
- However, the client structured her distribution so all children received equal shares anyway (complying with both US and Spanish principles)
- The key benefit: It simplified probate and allowed greater control over the property’s disposition, enabling specific-asset allocation to minimize taxes
Specifically:
- The Valencia properties (highest value) were explicitly bequeathed to the child with the most favorable tax position
- The Andalusia property (principal residence) was bequeathed to the child who would maintain it (primary residence exemption requirement)
- The securities were distributed to balance the tax burden across heirs
Result (Phase 4): Proper will structuring ensured assets went to heirs in tax-optimal sequence, saving an estimated €75,000 in additional inheritance taxes that would have resulted from suboptimal distribution.
Phase 5: US-Spain Tax Coordination (Months 15–18)
The Critical US Angle:
The client was a US citizen. She had to coordinate Spanish inheritance planning with US estate tax obligations.
US Estate Tax Situation:
- Client’s worldwide estate: ~€5,000,000 (Spanish assets €1,500,000 + US assets ~€3,500,000)
- US estate tax exemption (2025): $13.61 million per person (no US federal estate tax exposure)
- Key strategy: The «step-up in basis» available to US heirs at death meant that Spanish assets inherited could receive a US tax basis step-up, reducing future capital gains taxes if heirs sold the properties
Coordination Strategy:
- Spanish inheritance tax filed in Spain within 6 months (paid €780,000 total after all planning)
- US estate tax return (Form 706) filed to claim the Spanish estate tax as a foreign tax credit against any hypothetical US estate tax (though none was owed due to exemption)
- US basis step-up claimed for Spanish properties, ensuring heirs received properties with stepped-up basis equal to fair market value at death—valuable for future tax planning if heirs sold the properties
US Tax Result: Heirs inherited Spanish real estate with basis = fair market value at death (approx. €1,200,000 combined for the two properties). If they later sold the properties at that same value, zero capital gains tax would apply. If they sold at a profit, only the post-death appreciation would be taxed.
Estimated US tax benefit: €150,000–€300,000 in avoided future capital gains taxes (depending on future property appreciation and holding period).
The Results: Total Tax Savings Achieved
Tax Comparison: Without Planning vs. With Planning
| Scenario | Inheritance Tax | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Without Planning (Default Rates) | €1,200,000 | 38% of gross estate |
| With Planning (Lextax Strategy) | €780,000 | 26% of gross estate |
| NET SAVINGS | €420,000 | 35% reduction |
Breakdown of Savings by Strategy
| Strategy | Tax Savings | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Regional optimization (Andalusia/Valencia reductions) | €200,000 | Applied 99% + 76% reductions to regional assets |
| Lifetime gifting (gift tax vs. inheritance tax) | €125,000 | Shifted €500,000 to lower-tax gift context |
| Will structure optimization | €75,000 | Directed assets to tax-optimized heirs |
| US basis step-up (future benefit) | €150,000–€300,000* | Eliminated future capital gains on inherited real estate |
| TOTAL SAVINGS | €420,000–€620,000 | Depending on future real estate sales |
*US basis step-up benefit is realized in future years if heirs sell the properties; estimated conservatively.
Net Inheritance Received by Heirs
Without Planning:
- Total estate: €1,500,000
- Less inheritance tax: €1,200,000 (38% effective rate)
- Net to heirs: €300,000 (20% of gross estate)
With Planning:
- Total estate: €1,500,000
- Less inheritance tax: €780,000 (26% effective rate)
- Net to heirs: €720,000 (48% of gross estate)
Tangible benefit to family: €420,000 more in inherited assets available for the next generation.
The Specific Planning Strategies That Worked
Strategy #1: Regional Tax Rate Arbitrage
How it worked:
Spain’s 19 autonomous communities each set their own inheritance tax rates and exemptions. The variation is extreme:
- Madrid & Andalusia: 99% reduction for direct heirs = ~1% effective rate
- Galicia: 100% reduction (zero tax) for qualifying heirs
- Catalonia: 85% reduction = ~15% effective rate
- Valencia: 76% reduction = ~24% effective rate
Action: Rather than having all assets taxed in Valencia (where the client’s primary Spanish residence was), Lextax:
- Classified the Andalusia property as the «principal family residence» (eligible for 99% reduction)
- Documented that the children would maintain it post-inheritance (required for 3+ years to retain exemption)
- Applied Andalusian tax law to that property exclusively (reducing its tax from €96,000 to €4,000)
- Filed inheritance tax returns separately by autonomous community (each region taxes only its assets)
Tax saving: €92,000 on one property alone.
Key lesson: Most people don’t realize they can choose which autonomous community’s law applies. If your assets are split across regions, apply the most favorable region’s law to your highest-value assets (subject to residency and relationship requirements).
Strategy #2: Lifetime Gifting with Regional Gift Tax Planning
How it worked:
Rather than pass €1,500,000 through inheritance at death, the client made strategic gifts during the 12-month prognosis period:
- Securities gifts (€300,000): Transferred directly to children as financial gifts
- Filed as notarized donaciones (formal gift deeds)
- Took advantage of Andalusian and Valencian gift tax exemptions for close relatives
- Tax cost: €0 (both regions have exemptions for gifts between parents and children)
- Cash gifts (€200,000): Transferred as direct deposits to children’s accounts
- Documented with formal gift letters (notarized)
- Applied regional exemptions
- Tax cost: €0
Result: €500,000 transferred with zero gift tax. If this had waited until death, inheritance tax would have applied (€120,000–€150,000 estimated).
Effective tax saving: €120,000–€150,000
Key lesson: Gift tax is often LOWER than inheritance tax in Spain. If you have time and foresight, gifting during lifetime is typically more tax-efficient than inheritance at death. Each region offers exemptions—verify your region’s thresholds.
Strategy #3: Proper Will Structure and Asset Direction
How it worked:
Rather than let intestacy rules or default Spanish forced heirship apply, the client drafted a legally valid US-Spain hybrid will that:
- Elected US law for the client’s worldwide estate (allowed under Spanish law)
- Directed specific assets to specific heirs based on their tax positions:
- The Andalusia property (eligible for principal residence reduction) → Child #1 (would maintain residency = eligible for full exemption)
- One Valencia property (eligible for family business reduction) → Child #2 if applicable, or structured for optimal timing
- Securities → Both children equally
- Structured distributions to equalize tax burden across heirs, rather than equal asset distribution
Example:
Instead of: «Split all assets equally 50/50 to both children»
Lextax structured:
- Child #1 inherits Andalusia property (€400,000 value, ~€4,000 tax = 1% effective rate)
- Child #2 inherits Valencia properties (€800,000 value, ~€40,000 tax = 5% effective rate) + Securities (€300,000 value, ~€60,000 tax = 20% effective rate)
- Adjusted with cash gifts during lifetime to equalize net inheritance value
Result: Both children received approximately equal net value after taxes, not equal gross assets. One child inherited real estate (lower tax), the other inherited taxable securities + property (higher tax, but offset by lifetime gifts).
Tax saving: €75,000 (avoided by directing assets to heirs in tax-optimal sequence).
Key lesson: In Spain, equal distribution of assets ≠ equal tax burden. Structure your will to direct assets to heirs in tax-minimizing sequence.
Strategy #4: US Basis Step-Up Coordination
How it worked:
The client was a US citizen with a worldwide estate. By filing a US estate tax return (Form 706—not due because under exemption, but filed anyway for planning), Lextax:
- Claimed a basis step-up for all inherited property under US law
- Spanish real estate inherited at death receives basis = fair market value at death
- US law provision: IRC §1014
- Coordinated the Spanish inheritance tax paid with US foreign tax credit (Form 1118)
- Although no US estate tax was owed (exemption was sufficient), the Spanish inheritance tax was documented as a foreign tax for future reference
- Advised heirs on the tax implications of the stepped-up basis:
- If heirs sold the Valencia properties within 5 years at the same value, zero capital gains tax in both US and Spain
- If heirs held for 15+ years and property appreciated, only post-death appreciation would be taxable
Direct tax saving: €0 (in year of death, since no US estate tax applied)
Future tax saving: €150,000–€300,000 if heirs eventually sold the properties at appreciated values. The stepped-up basis eliminated tax on pre-death appreciation.
Key lesson: US citizens inheriting Spanish property get an invisible tax benefit: US basis step-up. Many advisors miss this. Coordinate with a US tax professional to document and maximize this benefit.
Common Mistakes This Case Study Avoided
Mistake #1: Not Optimizing by Autonomous Community
What many people do: File inheritance tax in the region where they were resident, regardless of where assets are located.
What this client did: Filed separately in Andalusia and Valencia, applying each region’s favorable deductions to its assets.
Savings avoided: €100,000+ in unnecessary taxes by failing to file by asset location.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Lifetime Gifting Opportunities
What many people do: Wait until death to transfer assets; pay full inheritance tax.
What this client did: Gift €500,000 during lifetime with zero gift tax (or minimal gift tax), reducing the taxable estate at death.
Savings avoided: €120,000+ by not gifting strategically.
Mistake #3: Equal Asset Distribution Without Tax Planning
What many people do: «Split everything equally 50/50» without considering each heir’s tax situation.
What this client did: Direct specific assets to specific heirs based on tax efficiency, then equalize net values with lifetime gifts.
Savings avoided: €75,000+ by distributing assets in tax-optimal sequence.
Mistake #4: Forgetting the US Angle
What many US citizens do: File Spanish inheritance taxes, forget about US coordination.
What this client did: File US estate tax return (even though not owed) to document and claim basis step-up.
Savings avoided: €150,000–€300,000+ in future capital gains taxes on appreciated real estate.
Mistake #5: Non-Resident Status Assumption
What many non-residents do: Assume non-resident status means higher taxes with no options.
What this client did: Recognized that children’s Spanish residency allowed them to claim regional reductions, even though the client herself was non-resident.
Savings avoided: €200,000+ by not leveraging the heirs’ Spanish residency for regional tax reductions.
The Planning Timeline: How Long Did This Take?
Pre-Planning Phase (Before Diagnosis)
Typical timeframe: 2–3 years before death is ideal for inheritance planning (not always possible).
What was done:
- Year 1: General estate review, identification of Spanish assets
- Year 2: Initial tax planning, will drafting in US, recognition of Spanish inheritance tax exposure
- Year 3: Lextax consultation scheduled (this case was reactive—client was diagnosed with terminal illness)
Active Planning Phase (18 Months Available)
Month 1–2: Strategic assessment and goal definition
- Lextax intake meetings with client and heirs
- Full asset inventory and valuation
- US-Spain tax coordinate analysis
- Goal: Minimize tax while respecting forced heirship and family dynamics
Month 2–4: Regional optimization and will restructuring
- Lextax verified autonomous community eligibility
- Spanish will drafted (separate from US will, coordinate approach)
- Documented principal residence status (Andalusia property)
- Tax filing strategy prepared
Month 4–12: Gifting implementation
- Client made strategic lifetime gifts (€500,000 total)
- Each gift documented with notarized gift deed
- Regional gift tax exemptions claimed
- No gift tax incurred
Month 12–15: Will execution and documentation
- Updated will signed before notary (US will + Spanish will coordination)
- Powers of attorney granted to heirs for tax filing
- Copies provided to Lextax and estate executor
Month 15–18: Final coordination and death planning
- Lextax met with heirs to explain tax obligations post-death
- Provided step-by-step filing schedule for inheritance tax returns (due 6 months after death)
- Coordinated with US tax advisors for basis step-up documentation
- Prepared pro-forma inheritance tax calculations for final review
Month 18–24 (After Death): Tax filing execution
- Heirs filed Spanish inheritance tax returns within 6-month deadline
- Applied all claimed reductions and exemptions
- Paid inheritance tax: €780,000 (vs. projected €1,200,000 without planning)
- Received inheritance tax certificates from Spanish tax authorities
- Filed US estate tax return (Form 706) to document basis step-up and foreign tax coordination
How Much Did Professional Planning Cost?
Lextax Service Fees (Note: These are illustrative examples; actual fees are personalized based on client circumstances)
| Service | Illustrative Cost Range | Actual Cost (This Client) |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive estate planning consultation | €2,000–€5,000 | €3,500 |
| Spanish will drafting and notarization | €1,500–€3,500 | €2,200 |
| Inheritance tax planning and strategy | €3,000–€7,000 | €4,800 |
| Regional optimization analysis | €1,000–€2,500 | €1,500 |
| Lifetime gifting documentation | €1,500–€3,000 | €2,000 |
| US-Spain tax coordination | €2,000–€4,000 | €3,000 |
| Post-death tax filing support | €2,000–€4,000 | €2,500 |
| Total Lextax Planning Fees | €13,000–€29,000 | €19,500 |
Return on Investment (ROI)
- Total planning cost: €19,500
- Total inheritance tax saved: €420,000
- Future US tax savings (basis step-up): €150,000–€300,000 (estimated)
- Total benefit: €570,000–€720,000
- ROI: 29.2–36.9 times the planning cost (or 2,920–3,690% return)
In simple terms: For every €1 spent on professional planning, the family saved €29–€37 in inheritance taxes.
This is why inheritance tax planning is considered among the highest-ROI professional services available.
Lessons for Other Expats: How to Apply These Strategies
Lesson #1: Audit Your Autonomous Community
Action: If you own Spanish property, determine which autonomous community has jurisdiction over your assets.
Why it matters: The difference between Madrid (1% effective rate) and Catalonia (15% effective rate) for a €1,000,000 estate could be €140,000 in taxes.
How to check: Contact the Spanish tax office (Agencia Tributaria) for your region, or ask your Spanish lawyer.
Lesson #2: Don’t Assume Non-Resident = No Exemptions
Action: Even if you’re non-resident, check whether your heirs are Spanish residents. If so, they may qualify for regional reductions.
Why it matters: Your residency status doesn’t determine your heirs’ eligibility. Their relationship to you (parent/child = Group I) and their residency status determine their tax treatment.
How to apply: Work with a Spanish tax advisor to verify your heirs’ eligibility for regional reductions before death.
Lesson #3: Start Gifting Early If Possible
Action: If you’re in good health and expect to live many years, begin strategic gifting to your heirs now.
Why it matters: Lifetime gifts are often more tax-efficient than inheritance. You also see your heirs benefit during your lifetime.
How to apply: Consult with a Spanish tax advisor about your region’s gift tax exemptions and timeframes for claiming reductions.
Lesson #4: Coordinate US and Spanish Law
Action: If you’re a US citizen, hire a bilingual tax advisor who understands both US estate tax and Spanish inheritance tax.
Why it matters: The US basis step-up, foreign tax credits, and global filing requirements must be coordinated. Missing either angle costs thousands.
How to apply: Schedule an initial consultation with Lextax (US-Spain focused) to identify opportunities.
Lesson #5: Structure Your Will for Tax Efficiency
Action: Don’t just split everything 50/50. Direct specific assets to specific heirs based on their tax situations.
Why it matters: Equal distribution of assets ≠ equal tax burden. Strategic distribution = more net value to family.
How to apply: Work with a lawyer to draft a will that considers both forced heirship rules and tax optimization.
Important Disclaimer: This Case Study Is Illustrative
This case study is an anonymized example for educational purposes. It demonstrates planning strategies available under Spanish law as of 2025.
Important Caveats:
1. Facts Are Anonymized
The client, heirs, property locations, and specific amounts have been altered to protect privacy. The case study is composite—combining real planning approaches but not describing any actual client file.
2. Tax Laws Change
Spanish inheritance tax rates, regional exemptions, and relief percentages are subject to change. The rates cited (2025) may differ from future years. Always verify current rates with a qualified tax advisor.
3. Individual Situations Vary
Your inheritance tax burden depends on: your autonomous community, heirs’ relationship/residency/wealth, estate composition, US tax situation, double-tax treaties, and prior gifting. No two clients are identical. The €420,000 savings in this case study may not apply to your situation.
4. Professional Fees Are Illustrative
The Lextax service fees shown are illustrative examples for this particular case. Your actual fees will be exclusive and personalized to your specific circumstances, complexity, and timeline.
5. This Is Not Tax or Legal Advice
This case study is educational content only. It does not constitute tax advice, legal advice, or a recommendation to pursue any specific planning strategy. Before implementing any inheritance tax planning, you must consult with a qualified specialist.
How Lextax Can Help You Plan Your Inheritance
The Planning Process
- Phase 1: Comprehensive Estate Review (Typically €2,000–€5,000)
Inventory assets, identify regions, assess heirs, identify opportunities. - Phase 2: Strategy Development (Typically €3,000–€7,000)
Regional analysis, gifting opportunities, will structure, treaty coordination. - Phase 3: Implementation (Typically €5,000–€10,000)
Will drafting, gifting documentation, tax prep, heir communication. - Phase 4: Post-Death Execution (Typically €2,000–€4,000)
Inheritance tax filing, coordination, US basis step-up documentation.
Total planning cost range: €13,000–€30,000
(Note: These are illustrative ranges. Your actual fees will be personalized to your specific situation, complexity, assets, and timeline.)
Why Professional Planning Pays for Itself
If your Spanish estate is worth more than €500,000, professional inheritance tax planning typically saves 20–40% of the tax burden.
Example:
- Estate value: €1,000,000
- Tax without planning: €300,000 (30% effective rate)
- Tax with planning: €180,000 (18% effective rate)
- Tax savings: €120,000
- Planning cost: €20,000
- Net savings: €100,000 (500% ROI)
For estates larger than €2,000,000, the ROI is even higher.
Important Disclaimer: Personalized Professional Fees
All Fees and Costs Are Illustrative
All fees mentioned in this case study—including Lextax service fees, notary costs, and estimated tax savings—are strictly illustrative and educational. They represent typical cost ranges for this type of planning in 2025, but do NOT represent binding offers or guaranteed fees for your situation.
Lextax’s Personalized Fee Model
Lextax Consulting SLP operates on a fully customized, case-by-case fee structure. Your actual professional fees will be exclusive and personalized to your specific circumstances, including complexity of assets, regions involved, home country laws, timeline, family structure, coordination requirements, heirs’ status, and workload.
No Two Clients Are Identical
The case study above is an example of one client’s planning. Your situation, assets, heirs, and opportunities will be completely different. Your fees will reflect your specific circumstances only.
How to Receive Your Personalized Fee Quote
To receive an exact, itemized fee quote for YOUR inheritance tax planning:
- Schedule a free initial consultation with Lextax via email (hello@lextax.es) or website (lextax.es/inheritance-planning-consultation).
- During consultation, discuss your assets, heirs, regions, timeline, and home country implications.
- Lextax will provide an exact, itemized fee quote, detailed strategy, timeline, and answers to questions.
- Before committing, you’ll receive a comprehensive proposal and service agreement with no hidden fees.
Important Legal Notice
The fees mentioned in this case study are purely illustrative examples for educational purposes. They are NOT binding offers or guarantees of pricing for your specific situation. Your actual fees will be determined ONLY after a complete assessment, discussion of goals, and explicit acceptance of a fee proposal. Lextax reserves the right to adjust fees based on complexity or recommend different strategies.
Take Action Now: Don’t Let Your Family Overpay Inheritance Tax
The average expat family can save 20–40% of their inheritance tax burden through proper planning. But planning must begin before death—ideally 2–3 years in advance, though even months of advance planning can help.
Your situation is unique. Your opportunity to save inheritance tax is time-limited.
Schedule a confidential consultation with Lextax today to learn:
- Your current inheritance tax exposure
- Specific savings opportunities for your situation
- The planning timeline and costs
- How to implement the strategy
Contact Lextax:
- Email: hello@lextax.es
- Website: lextax.es/inheritance-planning-consultation
Your family deserves to inherit your wealth—not the Spanish government.
Related Lextax Resources
- Spanish Inheritance Tax for Expats: Complete Guide to Rates, Deductions, and Planning
- Regional Inheritance Tax Variations in Spain: Which Autonomous Community Is Best for Your Estate?
- Lifetime Gifting Strategies in Spain: How to Reduce Inheritance Tax Through Strategic Donations
- Will Planning for US Citizens in Spain: Coordinating US Estate Law with Spanish Inheritance Law
- Non-Resident Inheritance Tax in Spain: What Happens When a Foreigner Inherits Spanish Property
- Principal Residence Exemption: How to Save 95% on Inheritance Tax for Your Family Home
- Double Tax Treaties: How to Avoid Paying Inheritance Tax Twice (Spain and Your Home Country)
- Inheritance Tax in Madrid vs. Catalonia: Which Region Saves You the Most Money?
