When someone dies, before their estate can be settled, the family first needs to answer one basic question: did this person leave a will, and if so, where is it? In Spain, that answer comes from a document called the certificate of last will acts.
This certificate confirms whether the person made a will, and if they did, which notary holds it. Without it, the heirs have no official way to know where to look.
Once the certificate confirms a will exists and names the notary, the heirs can go directly to that notary and request an official copy of the will. That copy is what lets them move forward with settling the estate.
