Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Leaving a clear plan for your assets is one of the most practical steps you can take to protect your family’s future, and Jalisco is making that process much easier this fall. The state government, working alongside the Jalisco College of Notaries, has officially launched its annual “September, Month of the Will” campaign.
Marking two decades of this regional initiative, authorities are once again offering deeply discounted rates to encourage every adult resident -local or foreign – to get their affairs in order.
Starting September 1 and running through October 10, 2026, participating notaries across the state will draft open public wills for a flat fee of 2,300 pesos. Given that the standard reference cost for this legal procedure sits at 19,251.40 pesos, the campaign delivers an 88 percent discount, saving residents nearly 17,000 pesos regardless of how lengthy or detailed their document turns out to be.
This financial relief is designed to tackle a persistent issue: missing paperwork leading to fractured familial relationships. Without a valid will, the Mexican government steps in to liquidate and distribute an estate through an intestate succession trial. These legal battles often drag on for years and can easily end up costing ten times more than drafting a proper document.
In contrast, formalizing your wishes before a notary takes roughly 30 minutes, giving families immediate clarity instead of endless courtroom delays.
The push for local estate planning is especially crucial for ex-pats and foreign property owners. In Mexico, rights of survivorship do not function automatically, and property held in a trust (fideicomiso) may not offer total protection for surviving family members.
Relying on a foreign will creates a massive administrative headache, as the document must be processed in its country of origin, translated into Spanish, verified by local officials, and eventually approved by a Mexican judge and notary. Resolving an estate this way can take upwards of a year, which is why real estate owners are strongly advised to establish a dedicated Mexican will.
State leaders emphasize that taking this step is less about dwelling on mortality and more about taking control of your legacy. A will is completely personal and revocable, meaning you retain full authority to alter or update it whenever your life circumstances change.
While public participation has steadily grown over the last decade, government officials are aiming even higher this year. Between 2019 and 2024, residents created more than 162,000 wills, with last year’s campaign alone bringing in 18,558 completed documents.
For 2026, organizers hope to surpass that previous record by at least 5 percent. Because the historical total still represents only about two percent of Jalisco’s total population, outreach efforts are expanding beyond the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. Service modules are being set up across all 12 regions of the state, backed by more than 200 active, participating notaries.
Securing the discounted rate is straightforward for anyone 18 or older. All you need to do is present a valid official identification and book an appointment with a participating notary. To find a professional near you, you can browse the official directory online at notariosjalisco.com.
Taking a few minutes to schedule a consultation today ensures your loved ones inherit peace of mind rather than a legal puzzle tomorrow.
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