A Lawyer’s Practice: What You Need to Know Before It’s Too Late

Unfortunately, that’s the norm. Roughly 60/40: most inquiries come in when it’s already too late, rather than when the problem could still have been prevented. Spain is very strict about deadlines — the opportunity simply expires. You can file an appeal or write a letter, but the outcome will already be different. We work with the reality that already exists.

One was a woman who had been widowed. Her husband’s daughter left her out of the inheritance. Under Spanish law, a widow is entitled to the so-called *cuarta parte* — a quarter of the joint estate. We secured her rights through the courts.

The second is a classic labor story: someone was promised payment and never received it. We filed a lawsuit and secured not only financial compensation but also the restoration of all worked days within the social security system — pension-qualifying service, real money down the line.

And the third, the most memorable. When I was starting out, a family came to us — their child had cancer. They arrived with no resources. We arranged a humanitarian residence permit for them and didn’t charge a single cent. The child recovered in Spain. That’s what you work for.

Clearly: once you reach a normal income level — especially once you start hiring employees — move from *autónomo* to an SL. An *autónomo* carries unlimited personal liability. If something goes wrong, all your personal assets are at risk. In a company, liability is limited to the share capital.

Regarding taxes: an *autónomo* is taxed on a progressive scale from 19% to 47%. In a company, corporate tax is 15% for the first two years, then 23%. A combination of salary plus dividends is usually more advantageous. My general recommendation: keep as many assets as possible inside the company (cars, real estate).

Yes, it exists. The amount depends on the region. Madrid has no such tax for political reasons; Valencia does. This is worth factoring in when choosing where to register a business or buy property.

In tax law, there is no presumption of innocence. The tax office names a figure, and you have to prove they’re wrong. Only after 6–7 years, as in Shakira’s case, do you reach the *Tribunal Superior* — and only then are you on equal footing. Often, accepting a settlement discount is the right call rather than fighting a years-long battle.

Sign a partnership agreement (*pacto de socios*) that spells out everything: rules for selling stakes, exiting, and the division of roles. Most people go in on trust and later lose huge amounts on lawyers. A partnership agreement is your constitution. It costs from 250 euros, which is incomparable to the cost of a legal disaster.

Absolutely. Whoever registers first is the owner. Someone can register your brand and demand payment for using your own name. Registering in Spain costs around 450€ + VAT. Protection across the whole EU costs around 1550€. It lasts for 10 years across 27 countries.

First — the gym at 6:00 AM. It helps leave the stress there. Second — learning to switch off on weekends. I only take emergency calls like extraditions or detentions. Everything else goes to my colleagues. Handling everything yourself at this volume is physically impossible.