Opening of a sealed will
The formal act by which, after the testator's death, a sealed will (one signed under seal) is opened in compliance with the legal formalities so it can take effect. We handle the entire procedure and see it through, at a time we know is sensitive.
Requesting a quote doesn't commit you to anything
- You tell us about your case. It's free.
- We send you the price in writing, within 1 to 3 hours.
- You decide. If it works for you, we start. If not, you delete it with one click and pay nothing.
No one will pressure you. Your information is used only for your case.
Is it for you?
If any of these sounds like you, this procedure is for you.
- For heirs, relatives or people named in the estate who, after the testator's death, need to formally open a sealed will so it takes effect and the estate can move forward
What's included and what isn't
Everything clear from the start. No fine print.
Includes
- Review of the case and of the route that applies.
- Gathering and preparing the paperwork.
- Handling the opening of the will with every formality.
- Support at every stage of the act.
- Delivery of the formal record of the opening.
Does not include
- The division or distribution of the estate, which is a later stage of the succession.
- The inheritance tax return (declaración sucesoral) with SENIAT (Venezuela's tax and customs authority), which we handle separately.
- The official notary fee or the court expenses, paid separately, which we explain according to the route your case takes.
Add to your procedure
Check it and we include it in your quote. You decide at the end.
What you need
Check off what you already have. You don't need everything to request your quote.
You have 0 of 4.
- The testator's death certificate
- The sealed will, if you have it, or details of where it's kept
- Your cédula (Venezuelan national ID card) and proof of your relationship to or interest in the estate
- With that, we review the route that applies and gather the rest of the paperwork with you
How the process works
You do very little. We take care of the rest. The whole process: on average, 1 to 3 weeks.
- Step 1
Tell us the case
Tell us the situation and bring us the death certificate and whatever you have of the sealed will.
You do this - Step 2
We define the route
We review your case and tell you the route and the formalities that apply.
We do this - Step 3
The will is opened
We gather the paperwork, confirm the cost, and the opening is carried out before the notary or the court, with every formality.
- Result
Done
We hand you the record and guide you on the estate.
You receive it
From the time we gather the paperwork, depending on the formalities the case requires. It's an act that can't be rushed, because it must meet every requirement to be valid.
What it costs and how to pay
There are two separate payments, and we want you to see them clearly.
Our fee: we do all the work for you.
The official notary fee. It goes straight to the agency, and we give you the exact amount, with its receipt, before you pay anything.
How you pay: 50% when we start and 50% on delivery. In dollars, in bolívares at the official BCV exchange rate, or with Cashea.
How is your investment calculated?
Your investment has two parts, and we give you each one separately. Our base professional fee, from $120, for supporting and handling the opening with every formality
The official notary fee or the court expenses, depending on the route your case takes. Official amounts are paid in bolívares at the official Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) exchange rate The lawyer gives you the exact figure before you pay anything, no strings attached.
FAQ
What happens if I don't open the sealed will?
The estate gets stuck: you can't file with SENIAT or divide anything, because no one formally knows what the deceased provided. Opening it is the first step for everything else.
Is it done before a notary or a court?
It depends on the case; we review yours and tell you clearly.
How much does it cost?
The professional fee, from $120, covers the case review and handling the opening; the agency's official fee is separate, and the inheritance tax return with SENIAT is handled as a separate service.
What happens after it's opened?
The inheritance tax return and the division follow; we support you in both.
What does the timing depend on?
On the formalities of the case and on whether it goes the notary or the court route; that's why the estimate runs from one to three weeks.
Do I need the death certificate?
Yes, it's essential, along with the sealed will and the cédulas of the interested parties.
About this procedure
A sealed will is one a person signs in secret, under seal, with its contents unknown until their death. When the testator dies, that will doesn't take effect on its own: it has to be opened in compliance with the formalities the law requires, with the required official intervention and certification, to verify the seal, record the condition of the document and give effect to the last wishes. It's an uncommon, delicate act that carries emotional weight, because it comes at a time of grief. That's why what matters here isn't just the procedure but the support: we gather the paperwork, handle the opening with every formality and explain each step calmly, so the will is formally opened and can take effect. Depending on the case, the opening may go through the notary route (before a Notaría Pública, the government notary office) or the court route; we review your situation and tell you clearly which one applies and what it involves, without leaving you alone with the red tape at a time like this.
Legal framework and important notes
Ley de Registros y Notarías (Registries and Notaries Law) · Código Civil (Civil Code)
- Most important. Don't open the sealed will on your own, because doing it without the legal formalities can invalidate it
- Keep it exactly as it is and let us handle the formal opening
- Depending on the case, the route may be notarial or judicial, and we'll make that clear from the start
- We know it's a delicate time, and that's why we're with you at every step
We guarantee our service, not what the agency decides. If something depends on them, we tell you clearly and in time.
Is your case different?Ask us, message us on WhatsApp or book a free consultation. A real person answers you.