First of all, when you purchase Costa Rica property, you will need fully bilingual Costa Rica lawyers and attorneys. Real estate law in Costa Rica is so different from real estate law in other countries. The American European Real Estate Group recommends you use a real estate attorney and notary public to purchase real estate and a family lawyer to get married or get a divorce.
You don’t go to a dentist because your feet hurt, even though the dentist is a doctor, too. For that same reason, as a real estate broker, therefore, to make your Costa Rica real estate business easier for you, we recommend the following:
- Use a specialized professional for your real estate business, a real estate attorney, and not a general attorney.
- Hire a bilingual attorney.
- Utilize a real estate attorney with a SUGEF-approved escrow account.
- Hire a lawyer recommended by your real estate agent; this will facilitate the cooperation.
Costa Rica lawyers and attorneys we recommend
Central Valley affiliate partners recommend
Lic. Alonso Fonseca Plón – Pignataro Abogados
Purchase / Sale Process:
- Legal guidance begins with a courtesy call during which the client is explained the purchase and sale process in Costa Rica, the transaction steps and relevant contracts, our fees, and the usual expenses.
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating the contracts required during the transaction.
- Explanation and facilitation of the process for opening and funding the escrow.
- Due diligence process with the delivery and explanation of a final written report.
- Preparation of the closing process: Closing Statement, fund confirmation, company incorporation (if necessary), and accompaniment during the closing.
- Post-Closing: Confirmation of the registration of the transfer, change of ownership before the municipality, and change of titularity before the public utility services.
Check for fees at afonseca@pignataroabogados.com
Post-Closing Services:
- Bank Account Opening: We coordinate the client’s bank account opening at BAC San Jose, prepare accounting documents through a Costa Rican accounting firm, and explain the requirements to the client. All remotely and through “DocuSign”. The process is 100% in English. We also do this with other banks, but it cannot always be done remotely. Check for fees at afonseca@pignataroabogados.com
- Immigration Services: Application for residency by investment, complete process until the obtaining of the “Dimex” with 100% English-language accompaniment. Check for fees afonseca@pignataroabogados.com
Pigantaro Abogados also offers quite a few ancillary services related to clients’ investments, such as:
- Registration with “ICT”, “Acam”, and the Municipality to obtain a municipal license (“patente”) for Airbnb.
- Application for a municipal license (“patente”).
- Application for an operating permit (“permiso de funcionamiento”).
- Administrative processes before the municipality.
- Coordination of topographical services.
- Construction contracts and permits.
- Labor law.
- Litigation.
- All of them are 100% in English.
Contact Lic. Alonso Fonseca by email afonseca@pignataroabogados.com – check their website https://www.pignataroabogados.com – Phones 011(506) 6051-3516 or 011 (506) 4055-4800
Lic. Francisco Molinero Hernandez – LandCo® Real Estate Legal Services
LandCo® Real Estate Legal Services recognizes that every real estate transaction is different and that every client has different needs. That is why, from start to finish, LandCo® takes the time to ensure each client receives exactly what they want and what their deal requires.
The LandCo® professionals are licensed Costa Rica lawyers and attorneys, and also have degrees in Law, Real Estate, Business Administration, and Finance.
Their staff is highly experienced in the real estate buying process in Costa Rica and can execute transactions effectively and securely.
Therefore, “Quality, not Quantity” is not just a saying at LandCo®, it is a business practice. In addition, their staff dedicates themselves to their clients and also provides them with a business relationship that they can trust.
Contact by E-mail
Also, you can call Phone +506-2201-6431 or check their website
Lic. Roger Petersen
Attorney Property Services is owned and operated by lawyer Roger Petersen. They have extensive experience in Real Estate transactions.
His office offers
Attorney Property Services covers all kinds of legal Costa Rica real estate services
- Real Estate Closings
- Property Title Searches
- Due Diligence
- Escrow Accounts
- Development Planning
- Residential and Commercial Leases
- Title Insurance
- IRA Investment Property
- Real Estate Purchases
- Purchase and Sale Agreements
- and also any matter incidental to your real estate transaction in Costa Rica.
This Costa Rica law firm is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Contact by E-mail
Also, you can call Phones +506-2288-2189 and +506-2288-6228
CostaRicaLaw.com is your best resource for information about Costa Rica. Costa Rica Law is a great starting point for information on Costa Rica. This will, in turn, help you make informed decisions if you wish to live, work, or do business in Costa Rica. Check the Legal Topics section for hundreds of articles covering many aspects that you may encounter in Costa Rica. Also, the Costa Rica Fact section has great general information about Costa Rica.
Attorney Roger A. Petersen founded PLaw Group. A Costa Rican Attorney with years of experience in Costa Rican real estate transactions. Roger Petersen is also the author of the best-selling book “The Legal Guide to Costa Rica.” Attorney Property Services focuses on all matters related to real estate transactions in Costa Rica.
Licda. Alejandra Echeverría Alfaro.
Partner at IBE- INTERLEX BUFETE ECHEVERRIA. The Firm was founded 90 years ago in San José, Costa Rica. Since then, it has provided nationals and foreigners alike with essential legal services.
Their fields of service range from Corporate Law, Real Estate, Commercial, Immigration, Relocation Services, Labor, and Dispute Resolution.
Email: aecheverria@ibe.cr
Phone: +506 4035-1400
Lic. Adrian Fernandez-Madrigal
Attorney Adrian Fernandez is a partner in Consultoría Jurídica Empresarial CJA/ ABOGADOS, Costa Rica lawyers, and attorneys.
Adrian Fernandez practices
- Commercial Law
- Civil Law
- Intellectual Property
- Corporative Law
- Real Estate Law
You can reach him by phone at (506) 2280-9692 / 2225-9322, or email him.
Lic. Rómulo Pacheco Sibaja – Pacheco, Marin & Associados
Full-service law firm Pacheco – Marin is located in San José, Costa Rica.
Residency and retirement in Costa Rica can be your reality, and they can help.
Attorneys Pacheco and Marin specialize in expats looking to live or retire in Costa Rica. Because between the two partners, they cover litigation and specialize in
- Corporate
- Commercial
- and business law.
Also, they have litigated in all fields of Law, including
- civil
- commercial
- agrarian
- insurance
- banking
- finance
- government
- criminal laws
- subdivisions
- Condominium Law
Furthermore, they specialize in immigration and naturalization procedures. Notary Public with a great record specializing in real estate procedures.
Contact by E-mail
Also, you can call Phone: +506-2255-1592 or check their website
Lic. José Juan Sanchez – CR Law – Jaco Beach
Attorney José Juan Sanchez / CR Law specializes in
Real Estate Transactions
- purchase and sale documents
- title verification
- property inspection
- title insurance
- escrow
- real estate taxes
- Developers – master declarations
- zoning
- by-laws
- condominium
- multiple ownership
- and also Financial & Management Trust
Private Law
- offshore company formation
- corporations
- LLCs
- Asset Protection Trust
- estate planning and wills
- Bank Introductions
- Residency and Immigration
Contact by E-mail or contact through website. Phone: +506 – 2643-2386
Also, you can call Mobile Phone: +506 – 8380-5974
The address is Residencial Jacó Sol #7B, Jacó Beach, Garabito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica 61101.
Lic. Sergio Jimenez and Licda. Giselle Pacheco
Costa Rica lawyers and attorneys located in Avenida Escazu, Building 202, Suite 305. First of all, they specialize in providing legal and financial assistance for the Company Organization. Also, they offer services to Real Estate Development and Condominiums, Trusts, Labor and Family matters, taxation, litigation in civil and commercial law.
Also, the law firm has a branch located in Pinares, 300 meters west of Walmart.
A Trademark corresponds to the Intellectual Property Department. Also, they are Members of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and ASIPI.
Phone+506-2288-3948
Phone+506-4000-1468
Also, you can sent them E-mails: sjimenez@jimenezlawcr.com and gpacheco@jimenezlawcr.com
Nicoya Peninsula affiliate partner recommends
Lic. Rafael Angel Perez Z. – Bufete Perez & Mejia Asesores Juridicos y Tributarios.
Pérez & Mejía Asesores Jurídicos is a firm of Costa Rican lawyers and attorneys established in 2002. The two founders, Mr. Pérez Zumbado and Mr. Mejía Mora, have more than eight years of combined experience in several areas.
While there is a difference between their Law Firm and others in Costa Rica, you can easily contact the Attorneys they have hired.
Contact by email: rafa@perezmejialaw.com or check their website
Also, you can call their Phones San Jose Office: 506 2249-2852/506 2249-5824. Furthermore, you can also call Phones Cobano Office: 506 2642-0989.
South Pacific affiliate partner recommends
Uvita Law Firm, (MSc. Kristi Penland Murrell & Associates)
Their offices are in the heart of Uvita, Osa, in the Southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica.
Uvita Law Firm’s expertise is in Real Estate law, which includes:
- All work related to Buyer and Seller Due Diligence
- Preliminary contracts/Sale and Purchase Agreements
- Property transfers and all closing preparation
- Corporation set-up, POA to Sell or Purchase
- Financing documentation: Mortgage, Guarantee Trust
- Development of Property: Condominium property and regulations, guidelines, easements (all types)
- Post-Closing services: Transfer of utilities and insurance policies, the creation of employment and construction contracts, and Testaments.
- Residency – all types.
- Other services: Vehicle transfers, Corporate and Commercial Law, Marriage registration & ceremonies, Trademark/name/logo registration.
They are Costa Rican bilingual attorneys and notaries public who are involved in the community and have a deep understanding of the culture and operations in the areas where they work and live.
Uvita Law Firm caters to the Southern Pacific Coast and prides itself on being the go-to source for all its clients’ legal needs.
Contact by email
Also, you can call 011 (506) 2743-8416; 011 (506) 2743-8619 or check their website.
Lic. Jose Arce – Facio Law
Facio Abogados is a Costa Rican law firm and was established in 2000 by a select group of experienced professionals. They sought to provide high-standard, personalized service to a predominantly foreign client base.
The emphasis of the law practice has focused on Corporate and Business Law and Foreign Investment Counselling in the areas of Tourism, Real Estate Development, Transactions, and Tax Planning. Nonetheless, the law firm provides a full range of legal services.
The firm consists of 7 partners and 7 associates. Also, counsel assistance, paralegals, certified translation, and bookkeeping services. Furthermore, their services include
- Business and Corporate Law
- Civil and Commercial Law
- Collections
- Contracts
- Energy
- Environmental and Agrarian Law
- Foreign Investment
- Free Zones and International Trade
- Immigration
- Labor
- Intellectual Property and Biotechnology Intellectual Property Law
- Leases and Leasing
- International Business Transactions
- Litigation
- Mining
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Private International Law
- Property Law
- Public, Government and Administrative Law
- Real Estate Transactions and Development
- Taxation and Tax Planning
- Telecommunications
- Tourism and Shoreline Zone
- Trusts and Estates.
Contact by E-mail
Also, you can call Phone: + 506-201-8700
Lic. Sergio Solera – Facio & Cañas
Facio & Cañas Costa Rica lawyers and attorneys. Their attorneys participate in a broad range of professional, civic, and corporate activities, allowing them to advise clients on an accurate understanding of world trends and advances and their specific application in Costa Rica.
Additionally, their backgrounds, experience, ethical principles, and knowledge of the country allow them to offer the best legal services available, whether in specific matters or general corporate counseling.
Languages: Spanish and English. Practice areas: civil, corporate, commercial, and also real estate law.
Contact by E-mail
Also, you can call Phone: +506-256-5555 x 803 or check their website
Lic. Luis Castro – BLP Abogados
A group of lawyers who shared a standard view on the practice of law founded BLP Abogados in March 2003.
They were convinced that legal advisers must become true business partners of their clients, mainly by providing top legal advice with business sense. Hence the name Business Law Partners.
Luis M. Castro is a founding partner of BLP Abogados and head of the Real Estate and also Energy Law Practices of the Law Firm. And his other practice areas are Hospitality Law, Corporate Law, Infrastructure and Project Finance
Contact by E-mail
Also, you can call Phone: + 506-205-7979
RE&B Attorneys
Lic. Marco Fernandez, Lic. Adrian Echeverria or Lic. Eduardo Marquez, they are all excellent communicators, fully bilingual, work very efficiently and quickly, they’re very knowledgeable, and most importantly, trustworthy and honest!
Real Estate & Business Attorneys (RE&B), Costa Rica lawyers and attorneys, was founded by a group of highly trained lawyers committed to providing the highest-quality legal services to their clients. Also, the law firm keeps an important international profile as they keep a multinational network with law firms worldwide that allows them to provide our clients with an efficient and integrated service.
Furthermore, they also keep solid contacts with law firms in the United States, Spain, and Latin America.
Services
Their services extend to different areas, in addition to
- Real Estate Investment
- Industrial and Intellectual Property Law
- Corporate Law
- Foreign Investment
- Tourism and Hotel Resort Development
- Customs and International Trade Law
- Public Notary, etc.
Contact by E-mail or check their website
Office in San Jose is Plaza Roble, Edificio El Patio #FF-1-3 Phone: +506-2201-8012
Also, they have an office in C.C Ocean Plaza, Second Floor, Herradura Phone: +506-2637-7640
Finally, you have the option of Toll-Free US calling – 305-748-4340
Lic. Norman Mory – Abogado & Notario
Fully bilingual real estate lawyer and notary public specializing in real estate and mortgages. Mr. Mory is a diligent lawyer who responds promptly and does his job well. I love working with him.
Phones (506) 2281-1011 – (506) 2281-1516
Email: nmory@salazarmory.com
Lic. Ricardo Batalla – Linea Law
Bilingual Spanish-English real estate lawyer who is very diligent during the closing process. Ricardo is a great communicator and knows his job well. His office also specializes in corporate law, tax planning, and others.
Phones 2283-1100 Email rabatalla@linealaw.com Website http://www.linealaw.com/
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