Best Private Client Lawyers in Boedo

Succession, wills and family wealth in Boedo

In Boedo, estate-planning work often involves arranging how a home, apartment or other assets will pass to family, and handling a succession after someone dies. The governing rules are national Argentine law, while court venue usually depends on the deceased person's last domicile, not simply where a property is located.

A succession may require identifying heirs, locating a will, confirming ownership and marital-property rights, valuing assets, and obtaining court authority to transfer or divide them. For a Boedo apartment, title records and any horizontal-property documentation may also need review.

When a lawyer can make a practical difference

• A relative dies while living in Boedo, and heirs need to start a succession to register or sell the apartment.

• Several heirs disagree about whether to sell a family home, keep it, or divide its value, or one heir cannot be located.

• A will, handwritten document or overseas estate paper needs review before heirs can rely on it in Argentina.

• A property is registered in one person's name, but a surviving spouse believes it was acquired during the marriage and may be community property.

• An owner wants to make a will or organise lifetime gifts without disregarding the reserved inheritance rights of protected heirs.

• An heir lives abroad, or the estate includes assets in more than one jurisdiction, creating questions about documents, authority and where proceedings belong.

Argentine laws relevant to Boedo estates

The Civil and Commercial Code of the Nation, approved by Law 26,994, has been in force since August 1, 2015. It governs wills, intestate succession, reserved shares for certain heirs, matrimonial property and succession proceedings throughout Argentina, including Boedo.

Law 27,587, enacted in 2020, amended Code provisions concerning gifts and the protection of heirs with reserved shares, including rules relevant to later transfers of donated property. A lawyer can assess how the amendments apply to the dates and documents in a particular chain of title.

Law 27,423, enacted in 2017, regulates professional fees for lawyers and other legal professionals in national and federal courts. It is relevant to many succession cases heard by national civil courts in Buenos Aires; the applicable fee and any additional costs depend on the case and work involved.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a lawyer to handle a succession in Boedo?

Most court succession proceedings require legal assistance for filings and procedural steps. A lawyer can also check who has inheritance rights, identify title or marital-property issues, and explain the likely route before costs are incurred.

Where must a succession be filed if the deceased owned a Boedo apartment?

Venue generally follows the deceased person's last domicile, rather than the location of each asset. If the person last lived in Boedo, a case may fall within the national civil court system in Buenos Aires, subject to the facts and any cross-border issues.

What documents should heirs gather first?

Useful starting documents include the death certificate, identity and civil-status records for the deceased and heirs, any will, and available property deeds or title information. The lawyer may request additional records, such as marriage documents, asset statements or information about debts.

Can I make a will in Argentina?

Yes. Argentine law recognises formal types of wills, including a will made by public deed and a handwritten holographic will that meets statutory requirements. A will cannot freely eliminate the reserved shares that the law protects for certain close relatives.

Can a surviving spouse inherit the whole home?

Not necessarily. The answer depends on the property's ownership, the matrimonial-property regime, whether there are descendants or other protected heirs, and the terms of any valid will. Inheritance rights and a spouse's existing share of marital property are separate questions.

Can heirs living outside Argentina take part?

Heirs living abroad may generally participate, but they may need properly certified and, where required, apostilled or legalised documents. A lawyer can explain whether a power of attorney or additional translations are needed for the specific court and records.

How much does a succession lawyer cost?

There is no single total that applies to every estate. Ask for a written explanation of the lawyer's proposed fees, the valuation basis, court charges and likely expenses for certificates, translations or registrations; national-court professional fees are governed by Law 27,423.

How long does a succession usually take?

A straightforward, uncontested case may take several months, while disputes, missing documents, unlocated heirs or complex assets can extend it considerably. The lawyer can give a more useful estimate after reviewing the documents and identifying the necessary court and registry steps.

What if heirs disagree about selling a Boedo property?

A lawyer can explain the available options, including negotiation, an agreed division or court steps if agreement is not possible. The right approach depends on the title, the number of heirs, any debts and whether the property can be divided in practice.

Can I transfer an apartment to a child during my lifetime instead of leaving it by will?

A lifetime gift may affect the protected shares of other heirs and can create title issues under the rules amended by Law 27,587. Obtain advice before signing a transfer, because its consequences depend on the family circumstances and the property's ownership history.

Does owning property in Boedo mean the succession must be filed there?

No. The deceased person's last domicile generally determines the venue, even if the apartment is in Boedo. If the last domicile was outside Buenos Aires or outside Argentina, a lawyer should check the applicable jurisdiction and recognition requirements.

Official resources

• Poder Judicial de la Nación: Provides information about national courts and access to court services, including case-related information. It can help identify the relevant court system for a succession proceeding.

• Colegio Público de la Abogacía de la Capital Federal: The professional body for lawyers practising in the City of Buenos Aires. Use its official resources to check a lawyer's professional registration.

• Colegio de Escribanos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires: The city's notarial professional body. It provides information about notarial services, which may be relevant when making a will by public deed or completing property transactions.

Next steps for finding and hiring a lawyer

1. Collect the basic records. Over the next few days, gather the death certificate if relevant, family-status documents, any will and available property papers.

2. Write down the key facts. Note the deceased person's last domicile, known heirs, property locations, debts and any disagreement. This helps a lawyer assess venue and urgency.

3. Check professional registration. Use the Colegio Público de la Abogacía de la Capital Federal's official resources before arranging a consultation.

4. Consult one or more succession lawyers. Within a week or two, ask about experience with estates involving Buenos Aires property, likely court steps, missing documents and expected timing.

5. Request a written fee and cost outline. Confirm what work is included, how fees are calculated, which expenses are additional and how the estimate may change if a dispute arises.

6. Review the engagement terms before signing. Make sure the agreed scope covers the immediate work, who will handle court and registry filings, and how updates and further decisions will be managed.