Category Archives: LexClips

What documents do I need to file for a Declaration of Heirs?

In order to file for a Declaration of Heirs, or “Declaratoria de Herederos”, in Puerto Rico, you will need the following documents: 1.  You will need each of the heir’s original Birth Certificates. 2. You will need the decedent’s original Death Certificate. 3. You will need a Negative Will Certification. 5. If the decedent died…

Executors can’t divide the estate, but heirs can.

A common misconception about estates in Puerto Rico is that it is up to the Executor (or “Albacea” in Spanish) to divide the estate. The truth is that it is the responsibility of the heirs to divide the estate. The executor’s rights, responsibilities and obligations are usually outlined in the testament. Anything not covered by…

Common Law Marriage in Puerto Rico

Common Law marriages are NOT accepted or recognized in Puerto Rico.  It doesn’t matter if you live together for a year, ten years, or thirty years. In order to be considered “married” in our jurisdiction, you need to have formally married either in Puerto Rico, or elsewhere.  Legal formalities of marriage are required in order…