Wills and estate planning: why handle this on your summer visit to the Azores

For many Azorean emigrants, the summer return is the only time of year they are on the island with space to handle family matters — including estate planning. This is not pessimism: it is about preventing children and heirs spread across the world from facing chaotic estates, idle property and family disputes later.

This article is about prevention, not estates already open (a different topic).

What is estate planning?

Organising in your lifetime what happens to your assets when you die: who inherits, in what shares, who administers the estate, how to avoid conflict. Common tools:

• Will — to designate heirs and dispose of part of the assets (within legal reserved shares);
• Powers of attorney — so someone trusted can act in Portugal while you live abroad;
• Document organisation — lists of accounts, property, insurance, debts.

Why do this on a summer visit?

• Family is together in person — difficult conversations are clearer;
• You can meet lawyer and notary in Ponta Delgada without rushing;
• Avoids rushed decisions by video call without preparation;
• Time to locate documents at local registries.

Making a will in Portugal while living abroad

You can make a will in the Azores during your visit (public, closed or holograph, depending on the form chosen) and continue to live in the US, Canada or elsewhere. The wording must respect legítima (reserved shares for compulsory heirs) and the law applicable to the assets.

Estates with property in the Azores and heirs abroad especially benefit from a clear will — reducing ambiguity on applicable law and who represents the estate.

Not the same as "division" or "inheritance"

Estate planning does not replace division after death — but makes it simpler and cheaper. Without a will, statutory succession rules apply — which may not match your wishes.

Periodic review

Marriage, divorce, births, buying or selling property — all can outdate an old will. A review every few years, or on a summer visit, keeps the plan current.

How we can help

The Luís Resendes law firm handles estate planning and inheritance in São Miguel — wills, powers of attorney and asset organisation for residents and emigrants. If you are coming to the Azores this summer and want matters in order, book a consultation at the start of your visit, not the day before you leave.