Las medidas de apoyo en los testamentos otorgados por personas con discapacidad

Abstract

En los últimos años, el reconocimiento de la capacidad jurídica de las personas con discapacidad ha motivado una importante transformación normativa en el ámbito del Derecho civil español. La Ley 8/2021 ha modificado en profundidad el modelo de tratamiento legal de la discapacidad, abandonando el sistema de incapacitación y representación, y adoptando uno basado en el respeto a la voluntad, los deseos y las preferencias de la persona. En el ámbito sucesorio, esta reforma ha supuesto una reconsideración del derecho a testar, reconociendo la presunción de capacidad y prohibiendo restricciones automáticas basadas en el diagnóstico de una discapacidad.

Uno de los ejes centrales de esta nueva regulación es la figura del notario, que asume un papel clave en la verificación de la capacidad del testador, garantizando que pueda expresar libremente su voluntad con los apoyos necesarios. Junto a ello, se han revisado las distintas modalidades testamentarias para valorar su adecuación a este nuevo sistema de apoyos. Mientras que el testamento abierto se perfila como la modalidad más garantista, persisten dificultades en otros formatos, como el testamento ológrafo o la guarda de hecho, que requieren de un mayor desarrollo normativo y práctico.

La reforma legal ha sentado las bases de un sistema sucesorio más inclusivo, pero su efectividad dependerá de la actuación de los operadores jurídicos y de un cambio cultural que deje atrás los prejuicios tradicionales en torno a la discapacidad.

In recent years, the recognition of the legal capacity of persons with disabilities has prompted a significant regulatory transformation within Spanish civil law. Law 8/2021 has profoundly modified the legal framework for addressing disability, abandoning the system of incapacitation and representation in favor of one based on respect for the individual’s will, wishes, and preferences. In the area of succession law, this reform has led to a reconsideration of the right to make a will, recognizing the presumption of capacity and prohibiting automatic restrictions based solely on a disability diagnosis.

One of the central elements of this new regulation is the role of the notary, who plays a key part in verifying the testator’s capacity, ensuring that they are able to freely express their will with the necessary support. In parallel, the various testamentary forms have been reviewed to assess their compatibility with this new support-based model. While the open will emerges as the most legally protective option, challenges remain in other formats, such as the holographic will or de facto guardianship, which require further legal and practical development.

The legal reform has laid the groundwork for a more inclusive succession system, but its effectiveness will depend on the commitment of legal professionals and a cultural shift that overcomes traditional prejudices surrounding disability. One of the core elements of this new regulation is the role of the notary, who assumes a key responsibility in verifying the testator’s capacity, ensuring they can freely express their will with the necessary support. Alongside this, the different testamentary modalities have been re-evaluated to assess their alignment with the new paradigm. While the open will is considered the most reliable option, other formats—such as the holographic will or informal support measures like de facto guardianship—still present challenges that require further normative and practical development.

The legal reform has laid the groundwork for a more inclusive succession system, but its effectiveness will depend on the responsible action of legal professionals and a broader cultural shift capable of overcoming traditional prejudices surrounding disability.