Finding Competent Legal Advice
Purchasing
real estate in Costa Rica can be the best investment you ever make, or it
can be your worst nightmare. It all depends on who you trust and what precautions
you take. Costa Rican con-artists are plentiful in this high-stakes arena,
so make sure that you are dealing with only the most reputable lawyers and
real estate brokers.
A good lawyer will be your most valuable asset when purchasing real estate in Costa Rica. There is often no charge for meeting and consulting with a lawyer, so get to know several of them before making your choice. In addition, it is imperative that you consider not only the lawyer, but also his/her staff. Legal assistants, law students, and administrative assistants all collaborate together to provide you legal advise, and can often times be the main contact to your lawyer. Make sure that they are cooperative and that you are able to communicate with them.
One of the best ways of choosing a lawyer is by word of mouth. Find out who neighboring residents are employing for their own legal consultation, and tailor your decision around how experienced that lawyer is in handling cases like yours. In addition, your country's embassy or one of the consulates may be able to suggest a lawyer.It is also important to remember that when seeking legal advise in Costa Rica, you are agreeing to take an active role in acquiring that advise. That is, your lawyer and his staff might shelf your case unless you motivate them to work on it. You should be prepared to be persistent when calling, asking questions, and requesting your updated file and record of transactions.
