|
|
 |
Costa Rica Lawyers & Laws - Advice from attorney Roger Petersen, the author of 'The Legal Guide to Costa Rica.'
Attorney Roger Petersen
Attorney Roger Petersen's book - 'The Legal Guide to Costa Rica' is without doubt a most valuable tool for those considering Costa Rica for either retirement or business. There have been significant changes in Costa Rica during the past ten years as the country attempts to emulate the economic and regulatory systems of more developed nations to spur it's own development. This policy has created significant changes and modifications of existing laws and practices making it more important than ever that those settling in Costa Rica understand the system. Most of the articles below have been written by Attorney Petersen or reproduced from 'The Legal Guide to Costa Rica' with the written permission of attorney Roger Petersen who has been an attorney since 1992 and is a member of both the Costa Rican and Florida Bar. A few articles have been written by his Roger's associate Attorney Rick Philps and others by Attorney José Rafael Fernandez.
|
Tenancy Law in Costa Rica
Attorney José Rafael Fernández
Costa Rica regulates all matters related to tenancy in a particular law, which has the unforgiving name of "Ley General de Arrendamientos Urbanos y Suburbanos", meaning: "General Law for Urban and Suburban Tenancy". This law was enacted in August 1995, after a much needed reform of the previous law of 1939. This law regulates all leases relating to houses, condominium units and businesses; it excludes hotel rooms, parking spaces and the like. . . .
Keep reading
|
Costa Rica Beach Properties - What Problems?
Attorney José Rafael Fernández
With Costa Rica beach properties, we must remember that the Costa Rican system of law is not 'Common Law'. We inherited it from Spain, who, as all the rest of the European mainland countries received the 'Roman system of Law'. . . .
Keep reading
|
Litigation In Arbitration Courts In Costa Rica. Part 1
Attorney José Rafael Fernández
Arbitration is one of the methods to solve disputes between parties, in which a third party, chosen by the parties in conflict, after hearing the case and studying the evidence, decides the matter through a final resolution that has full legal value. . . .
Keep reading
|
Litigation In Costa Rica - Part I
Attorney Roger Petersen
When a lawsuit is filed in Costa Rica it can proceed under three different procedural tracks: ordinary, abbreviated and summary procedures. Which procedure applies depends on the subject matter of the controversy. . . .
Keep reading
|
Estate Planning in Costa Rica For Canadians
Attorney Rick Philps
The simple answer with respect to the Canadian drawn Will, is that as long as it complies with the formal requirements of drafting and execution in the jurisdiction where it is drawn, it will be held to be... . . .
Keep reading
|
The Condominium HOA Meeting Procedures in Costa Rica
Attorney Rick Philps
It is common for developers of single family lot subdivisions in Costa Rica, to represent to prospective purchasers, that an HOA will be formed to deal with matters of a common interest, in the public areas of the subdivision, and to propose to levy fees on the property owners to carry-out the mandate of such an HOA. . . .
Keep reading
|
Costa Rica Attorneys Black-List
Scott Oliver
Do you know if there have been any major complaints filed against the Costa Rican attorney that you are dealing with? Would you prefer to be sure? It's easy with the information that you'll find here ... . . .
Keep reading
|
Costa Rica Real Estate Appraisal Scam - For a big US$250
Attorney José Rafael Fernandez - August 2008
Last week, a real estate broker came to show the house to an attorney, claiming he represented a couple of Koreans, interested in buying a house "just like that" as soon as possible, because they were staying at a hotel in San José, and needed to move in... . . .
Keep reading
|
Costa Rica Corporations - The three types
Attorney Roger Petersen
Under Costa Rican law, there are three types of legal entities which offer limited liability to its shareholders. These are the Limited Partnership (Sociedad en Comandita), Limited Liability Co . . .
Keep reading
|
The Criminal Justice System
Attorney Roger Petersen
The criminal justice system in Costa Rica is made up of the body of laws which dictates what types of acts or offenses constitute a crime and the procedural system used by the government to charge and prosecute those offenses. . . .
Keep reading
|
The Development of Costa Rican Law
Attorney Roger Petersen
Costa Rica acquired its independence from Spain in 1821 and ratified its first Constitution in 1825. Despite its independence from Spain and the creation of a Supreme Court of Justice, the Costa Rican legal system was dependent on Spanish law to administer justice. . . .
Keep reading
|
Litigation In Costa Rica - Part II
Attorney Roger Petersen
These factors combined with the fact that the Costa Rican system does not provide for punitive damages and forces the losing party to pay the costs and attorney's fees of the prevailing party make litigation in Costa Rica an extremely tedious and frustrating experience which should be avoided, unless it becomes absolutely indispensable. Voltaire summed up the impact of lawsuits as follows: "I was never ruined but twice: once when I lost a lawsuit, and once when I won one". . . .
Keep reading
|
Costa Rica Real Estate Law (Part II)
Lic. José Rafael Fernández
Most attorneys in Costa Rica are also Notary Publics. However, since the enactment of the "Código Notarial", as of 2003, the license to be Notary Public is not automatic for new attorneys. If they want to be such, they have to obtain a Master's Degree in the field of Notarial Law to apply for the job. . . .
Keep reading
|
Costa Rica Laws - Using a Shelf Corporation in Costa Rica
Attorney Roger Petersen
In Costa Rica purchasing property in the name of a corporation has become very common practice. As a result many law firms offer corporations that have already been formed and are commonly referred to as a "shelf company". Since this type of corporation is already formed ... . . .
Keep reading
|
Help-U-Search and Find Your Costa Rica Dream Home
Scott Oliver
Our goal is to: Help you to clearly define exactly what type of property you are looking for. To help you to pinpoint the best possible geographical location for you and your family and then we will recommend the most qualified and experienced real estate professionals in that area. . . .
Keep reading
|
Costa Rica Attorney and Notary Fee Schedule.
Attorney Roger Petersen
As of August of 2005 the Executive Branch approved Executive Decree No. 32493 which sets forth the new schedule of fees for Attorney's and Notaries in Costa Rica (Arancel de Honorarios por Servici . . .
Keep reading
|
Costa Rica Real Estate Law - Part I
Lic. José Rafael Fernandez
If you are interested in buying real estate in Costa Rica, apart from location and price, "the" most important issue for you to know and be aware of is Costa Rica real estate law. . . .
Keep reading
|
|
|
About this Site
