4. We had my daughters surname legally changed in this country (by court order), however I believe this would not be recognised in Spain, how would this effect enrolment in school and other registrations (e.g. her birth certificate surname differs from her passport (legal) name..
Technically one cannot 'legally' change their name in the UK, that said, there is no law which says they cannot. So being the UK. one can change their name, even under Common Law by just saying, 'As of today my name is John Brown. .....'
When a woman changes her name in the UK to her husband's, that is only custom an not law and amounts to a change of name, as it would if she had changed her name without marrying. Incidentally, the same applies in Eire.
Even when using Deed Poll, one only registers the fact that they have changed their name. It is not part of the process.
My husband changed his name in the UK after he bought a property in Spain, which he has now sold and has since sold bought and sold in his new name several times. I changed my name on my passport some months after I married my husband. I used a combination of his surname and mine. No problems.
2. We will be renting out 1 or 2 properties in the UK. Do we pay tax on this income in the UK only or Spain only?
It is taxable in the UK, but I have read on here that one must declare it to Hacienda and may have to pay a 'top up' tax on the income.
You will liable to Capital Gains Tax in Spain if you sell it after you are tax resident in Spain. You may also have a liability in UK too.
This message was last edited by elaineG on 05/06/2013.