We recommend some Costa Rica real estate attorneys for your property purchases and Immigration and Legal needs.
GoDutch Realty recommends using the right real estate attorneys and lawyers when you move to Costa Rica and when you buy real estate. Our beautiful country offers literally thousands of attorneys, but not that many are specialized real estate attorneys. So where do you start? It is really very simple. Do as you have always done back home. Would you have an attorney specializing in family law take care of your real estate transaction or the other way around? Of course, you would not.
So when you purchase a property, please use a real estate attorney who specializes in Costa Rica real estate, one who speaks English, and one who gives escrow services.
English spoken
In Costa Rica, you will find many lawyers who specialize in aiding foreigners who need services like residency (in their different forms) and real estate transactions. Most speak English of course. Attorneys in general charge as is regulated by their college. Of course, you will always find those that charge less. Those attorneys that are well known and have a well-earned reputation, will not give you any discount. But you can expect a real estate transaction well done.
Money laundering
Our Money laundering laws oblige escrow companies to register their escrow account with the General Superintendent of Financial Institutions (SUGEF). This is the overseeing regulator of banks, just to make sure their escrow accounts are not used to launder money. Therefore, picking the right attorney to purchase a property is very important as you want to use it. You also want to use an independent escrow company that offers escrow services. When you purchase a property, and before you wire the money here, the escrow company (or your bank, in case you use your own escrow account), will request the origin of the funds, copies of bank statements, and to fill out their know your customer form.
Bank financing
Even though banks nowadays are not giving any mortgages to non-residents and only to residents, you might want to inform yourself well with your real estate agent if you plan to purchase a property here with bank financing.
If you are a resident and buying a property with a mortgage, the bank will oblige you to use the bank’s real estate attorney for the closing, and not your own. But to be able to get an option to purchase in place (one of the requirements to get the loan), you will need a real estate attorney in Costa Rica who does not work for the bank.
On some occasions, it might be necessary to use a trust to own your real estate or when you loan money for a mortgage to someone. In that case, make sure you use the right attorney because you will need a 3rd party you can trust as a trustee. All the attorneys recommended by GoDutch Realty can service you for any trust agreement.
Retirement funds
In case you want to buy a property and use your 401K, or IRA, you will need the help of a good real estate attorney to set this up with your IRA or 401K custodian. Few Costa Rican attorneys know how this works, so make sure you ask your GoDutch Realty agent to recommend you the right attorney to help you with your due diligence.
GoDutch recommends the following real estate attorneys for your property or residency needs from many years of working together, all these attorneys and their staff speak English. Of course, that does not mean we will not work well with the attorney you tell us to work with, but we definitely recommend these attorneys below as we have worked with them over and over again. There is no purpose to the order of the recommended attorneys recommended by us.
We recommend
Lic. Francisco Molinero Hernandez, LandCo® Real Estate Legal Services
Mr. Molinero and his team are at the top of my list for a reason. No need to say more. LandCo® Real Estate Legal Services knows every real estate transaction differs, and every client needs other things. Therefore, from start to finish, LandCo® takes the time to ensure that each client receives exactly what they want and what their deal requires.
All LandCo® professionals are licensed and have degrees in Law, Real Estate, Business Administration, and Finance. Our staff is very experienced in the real estate buying process in Costa Rica and knows how to effectively and securely execute real estate transactions. “Quality, not Quantity” is not just a saying at LandCo®. It is a business practice. Our staff dedicates themselves to our clients and provides them with a business relationship that they can trust.
Phone +506-2201-6431
E-mail: fmh@landcolaw.com
Lic. Norman F Mory – Abogado & Notario
Fully bilingual real estate lawyer and notary public specializes in real estate and mortgages. Mr. Mory is a very diligent lawyer who responds quickly and knows his job. 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/
Lic. Romulo Pacheco Sibaja – Pacheco, Marin & Associados
They specialize in immigration and naturalization procedures. Notary Public with an excellent record specializing in real estate procedures.
Pacheco-Marin is a full-service law firm located in San José. Residency and retirement in Costa Rica can be your reality, and we can help. We specialize in expats looking to live or retire here. The two partners cover litigation and specialize in corporate, commercial, and business law. Has litigated in all fields of Law, including civil, commercial, agrarian, insurance, banking, finance, government, and criminal laws; Subdivisions, and Condominium Law expert.
Phone: +506-4052-4055
website: click here
Email: crlexs@gmail.com
Lic. Roger Petersen – Costa Rica Law
Costa Rica law is also a great option if you’re looking for legal advice from real estate attorneys. The Company is owned and operated by Attorneys Roger Petersen has extensive experience in Real Estate transactions.
They offer Real Estate Closings, Property Title Searches, Due Diligence, Escrow Accounts, Development Planning, Residential and Commerical Leases, Title Insurance, IRA Investment Property, Real Estate Purchases, Purchase and Sale Agreements, and any matter incidental to your real estate transaction. Mr. Petersen is fully bilingual in English – Spanish.
Phones +506-2288-2189 and +506-2288-6228
Website: click here
E-mail: admin@plawcr.com
Lic. José Juan Sanchez – CR Law. Private Client Law Firm in Jaco Beach.
CR Law Real Estate Transactions – purchase and sale documents, title verification, property inspection, title insurance, escrow, and real estate taxes. Developers – master declarations, zoning, by-laws, condominium, multiple ownership, Financial & Management Trust. Private Law – offshore company formation, corporations, LLCs, Asset Protection Trust, estate planning, and wills. Bank Introductions, Residency, and Immigration
Email: costaricalaw@yahoo.com or contact through the website.
Phone: +506 – 2643-2386
Address: Mobile Phone: Cell +506 – 8380-5974
Residencial Jacó Sol #7B, Jacó Beach, Garabito
Lic. Sergio Jimenez and Licda. Giselle Pacheco
JIMENEZ LAW- A-TRADEMARK DEPARTMENT.
Law firm located in Avenida Escazu, Building 202, Suite 305, specialized in providing legal and financial assistance for Company Organization, Real Estate Development, and Condominiums, Trusts, Labor and Family matters, taxation, and litigation in civil and commercial law.
A Trademark corresponds to the Intellectual Property Department. Members of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and ASIPI.
Phone+506-2288-3948
Phone+506-4000-1468
E-mails: sjimenez@jimenezlawcr.com and gpacheco@jimenezlawcr.com
Website: click here
Lic. Pablo Arias Gonzalez – Atenas
Attorney Pablo Arias is located in downtown Atenas and serves the Atenas real estate market. He offers notary services, contracts, corporations, real estate – land & property, of home rental contracts and home sales contracts, last wills, and testaments.
Call Atenas attorney and Notary:
Telefax: +506-2446-7711 (Atenas)
Mobile: +506-8835-7490
Email: ariaspa77@hotmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you when you’re ready for your property purchase in Costa Rica. We can assist professionaly!
