Legal risks in inheritance and widowhood pensions

Legal experts highlight critical risks regarding inheritance and social security benefits for unmarried couples and families. In Spain, long-term cohabitation does not automatically grant the same rights as marriage or a formally registered civil partnership. According to the BBVA Pension Institute, to access a widowhood pension, a couple must typically be registered in a specific registry or have a public document established at least two years prior to the death, alongside proof of stable cohabitation.

Regarding family estates, lawyer Laura Lobo warns that receiving assets such as cash or property from parents during their lifetime—often referred to as ‘inheritance in life’—can complicate future estate distribution. Depending on whether these transfers are formalized as donations or succession pacts, they can create significant conflicts among heirs, even in families with good relationships, due to differing interests in selling or maintaining inherited property.