A will is a revocable deed by which a person disposes of all or part of his / her assets before his / her death (Article 587 of the Civil Code).
A will may be public (oral declaration of the testator’s will made to the notary public or consular officer in the presence of two witnesses), secret (delivered in a sealed envelope to the notary public or consular officer, who draws up a record of its receipt), or holographic (entirely handwritten by the testator, it may be deposited in any place and with anyone). Upon the testator’s death, the Consul shall publish the holographic or secret will and notify the district notary’s archives competent for the place of residence or AIRE registration of the deceased person, for the purposes of its subsequent registration in the General Register of Wills.
Main reference legislation: Law 89/1913, Article 61 et seq.; Civil Code, Articles 587-623; Law No. 307/1981.