Your family's inheritance, registered in the right names
We handle the succession by the notarial route, when the heirs agree, or the court route, when they do not, until each property is registered in the heirs' names, even if they live in the United States, Canada or Europe.
At a glance
- Routes
- Notarial if heirs agree; court if they do not
- Time
- Notarial route: about one year
- From abroad
- Special power of attorney, no travel
- Fees
- Free quote by WhatsApp
Key facts
- Service
- Testate or intestate succession proceedings in Guatemala
- Notarial route
- When all heirs agree; about one year
- Court route
- When they do not agree; can take years
- Will search
- Reports from the Registry of Succession Proceedings and the General Property Registry
- Tax
- Inheritance tax is not currently paid in Guatemala
- Result
- Declaration of heirs and registration of the property in their names
Notarial or court proceeding?
One question decides it: do all the heirs agree?
Notarial route
When all heirs agree. Handled before a notary, about one year.
Court route
When the heirs do not agree. Handled before a court; can take several years, depending on the case.
From the first report to registration
Property search
We identify the real estate registered in the deceased's name.
Will search
Reports from the Registry of Succession Proceedings and the General Property Registry.
Powers of attorney
We guide each heir abroad to grant the right power of attorney before we start.
The proceeding
Notarial or court, depending on whether the heirs agree.
Declaration of heirs
The resolution that establishes who inherits and in what share.
Registration
Each property is registered in the heirs' names.
Documents you need
About the deceased
Death certificate from RENAP and the will, if there is one.
About the heirs
Certificates proving kinship (birth, marriage) and ID of each heir.
About the property
Registry data for each property, and data on vehicles, accounts or shares.
- Each heir grants a special power of attorney with the power to accept or reject the inheritance.
- Before a Guatemalan notary near you, or a local notary with an apostille. See power of attorney.
- Gather all the powers of attorney before starting: it is what delays these cases the most.
- You do not need to travel.
- Heirs in Guatemala appear in person with their DPI.
- Documents can be delivered at our office in Zona 10, by appointment.
A will or a lifetime gift
Most people in Guatemala die without a will, and the law decides who inherits. A will (ready in about three days, signed in Guatemala) or a lifetime gift of a property to your children saves your family time, money and disputes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a succession proceeding in Guatemala?
It is the process that determines who the heirs of a deceased person are and allows the property to be registered in their names. It is the Guatemalan equivalent of what English speakers often call probate.
Notarial or court proceeding?
The notarial route applies when all heirs agree and takes about one year. The court route is used when they do not agree and can take several years, depending on the case.
Do heirs living abroad have to travel?
No. Each heir abroad grants a special power of attorney with the power to accept or reject the inheritance, before a Guatemalan notary near them or a local notary with an apostille.
Is there an inheritance tax in Guatemala?
No. Inheritance tax is not currently paid in Guatemala.
How do we know if there is a will?
Reports are requested from the Registry of Succession Proceedings (Registro de Procesos Sucesorios) and the General Property Registry.
Can we sell the inherited house before the process ends?
No. As long as the property is registered in the name of the deceased, it cannot be sold. The process must end and the property must be registered in the heirs' names.
Who inherits if there is no will?
First the children and the surviving spouse, in equal shares; without children, the parents and the spouse; then collateral relatives such as siblings, nephews and nieces, up to the fourth degree; and, if there is no one, the State and the universities.
Can I make a will in Guatemala if I live abroad?
Yes, but you must come to Guatemala to sign it. The will is ready in about three days.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the route, the number of heirs and the property. We send you a free quote by WhatsApp.
Lic. Sergio Alvarez
Lic. Sergio Alvarez handles successions for families in Guatemala and abroad, from the first report to registering each property in the heirs' names.
- Attorney and Notary — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- LL.M. in Finance — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- MBA — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- Master in Management — Tulane University
- Specialization in Corporate Law — Universidad del Istmo
- Diploma in Finance — INCAE Business School and Georgetown University
Let's resolve your family's inheritance
Tell us who passed away, how many heirs there are and where they live. We will tell you the route and the documents to start.