I inherited assets in Argentina. Now what?
A practical, honest guide. What it means, what has to be done, in what timeframe and at what cost.
What it means to have inherited assets in Argentina.
It means that, as a result of a death (a relative, a spouse, someone else who named you in a will), you are entitled to assets — houses, land, bank accounts, company shares — that are physically or legally located in Argentine territory. That right exists by law: no one gives it to you as a favour, and no one can take it from you without a court process.
The problem is that the right to inherit and actual possession of the asset are two different things. To move from one to the other there is a probate that must be opened in Argentina, even if you live abroad, even if you have never been to Argentina, even if you do not speak Spanish.
Three typical scenarios.
The great-grandparent who emigrated
Your great-grandparent, or the grandparent's sibling, emigrated to Argentina in the early twentieth century. They left a house, perhaps some land. No one in the family abroad ever dealt with it. Today an Argentine relative — often a distant cousin you have never met — contacts you to say the asset is still registered in that ancestor's name and that you are one of the current heirs.
The relative with dual citizenship
Your father or mother was Italo-Argentine, lived both lives, left assets in both countries. The probate at home is already done or is being handled by a local lawyer. The Argentine part has been stalled for months because no one knows what to do.
The case discovered by chance
An Argentine bank, a notary's office or a real-estate agency contacts you because they found your name in a deed. You did not even know you were an heir. You need to understand whether it is true, how much it involves and whether opening the case is worthwhile.
Where to start.
Gather the documents you have
The decedent's death certificate, family status certificate, any documents on the Argentine asset (title deeds, letters from a bank). Even if you have incomplete fragments, that is fine. We start from there.
Send me an email with the summary
Three lines, even written in a hurry. "My grandfather X died in 19XX, there is a house in Rosario, my cousin tells me we are heirs." That is enough. I reply within 48 working hours.
We set a free video call
20–30 minutes. I explain what can be reconstructed from the documents you have, what else would be needed, and the indicative timelines and costs. No commitment.
Four common mistakes.
Waiting too long
The more time passes, the more complicated the situation becomes. Heirs who die in turn multiply the levels to reconstruct. Documents get lost, deeds become illegible, banks close accounts for inactivity.
Trying to do it yourself without an Argentine lawyer
Argentine probate is handled only before Argentine courts, by a lawyer admitted in Argentina. There are online tools or agencies that promise to save you money: they do not work. The case will stall at the first registry that asks for the signature of an admitted lawyer.
Relying only on the Argentine cousin
The relative in Argentina can be invaluable for collecting local documents, but cannot replace a lawyer. I have often seen cousins who, in good faith, sign agreements that harm the heirs abroad because they do not understand the legal implications.
Thinking you can sell quickly without opening the probate
You cannot. Without a probate formally opened and closed with registration of title, the asset cannot be sold to a third party. Any promise of a "quick" sale without the full process is a path that will stall at the first notarial check.
Frequently asked questions.
How do I find out whether I am really an heir to assets in Argentina?
Is it worth opening the case even if the assets are of little value?
How much does the preliminary research cost?
Do I have to declare the Argentine inheritance to the tax authority in my country?
If the decedent had debts in Argentina, am I liable for them?
Want to find out what you inherited?
We start with the preliminary research. No commitment to the probate itself.