Short answer: September is "Mes del Testamento" in Mexico — the state government waives certain notarial fees, reducing the cost of making a will by up to 50%. If you own property in Mexico, a Mexican will is essential.
September in Mexico is known for Independence Day festivities, which fill the streets of Valladolid with joy and colour It is also essential to know that September is the month best month to make a will!
If you are a foreigner living in Mexico, it is essential to know that Mexican assets have to be in a Mexican will a foreign will not suffice for Mexican courts, and can cause your loved ones untold trouble that may take years to address.
Even if you have a foreign will, this document has to be notarized, apostilled, and translated to Spanish by a Mexican legal translator. In the case of you doing all of the above steps, you still need to go to court to certify your foreign will in Mexico which might take from 4-6 months.
Testament Month in Yucatan: What is it?
A will is a necessary document to take care of family assets. When a person dies without a will, surviving family members have to spend time, money, and effort on long legal processes to get control of any properties or belongings left behind.
During September, the state government eliminates the payment of rights, and this allows you to lower prices by up to 50%, a considerable discount!
September month of the Testament in Yucatan: How much does it cost?
With the discounts applied during September, the price of the will is 1800 pesos. There is an additional discount for people with disabilities or people over 65: only 1500 pesos!
But I have no money! How will I spend on a Testament?
The Yucatan government offers the option for people without resources: the Holografico testament. This document is done by hand, and it is free during September.
If you think that there is a difference between the Testament before a notary and the handwritten one, you are wrong! Both have the same validity at a court of law.
I’m interested in making a handwritten Testament, what do I need to do?
-
Go to the State Notarial Archive and request the support guide to carry out the Testament.
-
Write the Testament by hand. (2 originals)
-
Write the date and signature on both copies of the will.
-
Pay the corresponding fee in the collection boxes of the Yucatan Fiscal Administration Agency.
-
Collect your Testament.
**Requirements: **
1.-Being capable of expressing your will
2.-18 years old or older
-
Write the Testament in Spanish: it is necessary to know how to read and write in Spanish
-
Write two copies of the will by hand
-
Present birth certificate, copy of voter card or other photo identification, and copy of the CURP.
-
Payment of the right in the collection boxes of the Fiscal Administration Agency of Yucatan.
*Forming an estate is essential, and knowing with certainty that our properties will go to our favorite people should be a priority. *
Without a will, your family will need to go to court and have a lengthy trial to get any assets you might have left.
*Even if talking about a will makes you nervous, having a will is the only way to make sure your property will end in the right hands! *
*Here at Casas en Valladolid, we can help you find the best real estate in Valladolid, Yucatán, contact us! We hold CONOCER and INSEJUPY Tipo A certifications. Always ask your agent to show their license — only around 400 out of 5,000 agents in Yucatán have obtained theirs. A notary public coordinates the entire process.
How do I verify my agent is licensed?
Always ask to see their INSEJUPY license. Since May 2025, all agents in Yucatán must be registered. Only around 400 out of 5,000 have obtained theirs. The public INSEJUPY registry may still require internal access; ask to see the current license and confirm the advisor's legal name.
FAQ
Yes — if you own any assets in Mexico, you need a separate Mexican will. A foreign will is extremely difficult to validate in Mexican courts and can delay inheritance for years. The process of apostilling and translating a foreign will can take 4–6 months even before going to court.
A standard Mexican will costs approximately 3,500–5,000 MXN through a notary public. During September ("Mes del Testamento"), the Yucatán state government eliminates certain fees, reducing the cost by up to 50% — as low as 1,800 MXN, or 1,500 MXN for seniors and people with disabilities.
September is designated "Testament Month" across Mexico. State governments waive certain notarial fees to encourage citizens and residents to formalize their wills. In Yucatán, this can mean savings of up to 50% on will preparation costs.
Yes — the "Testamento Holográfico" (handwritten will) is legally valid in Yucatán. You must write it entirely by hand in Spanish, create two originals, and register it with the State Notarial Archive. During September, this option is free of charge.
