COSTA RICA LAW FIRM

We specialize in commercial law, including real estate and corporations, as well as environmental law (water concessions among others) and residency.

COSTA RICA LEGAL SYSTEM

Inspired by the Napoleonic Code, Costa Rica’s mature and consolidated legal system has as its linchpin the progressive 1948 Constitution, guaranteeing equal rights to all. The “Civil Code” and “Commercial Code” create the legal framework for real estate transactions, contracts, and all aspects of commercial and business law. The Public Registry consists of Real Estate, Vehicles, Corporations, and other departments. In the Real Estate Department (“bienes inmuebles”), the transfer of a property is annotated in the title as soon as the deed is submitted and the property tax and registration stamps are paid for.

ABOUT PACIFIC COAST LAW

We are a bilingual legal firm that specializes in real estate transactions and related matters, such as Sales & Purchase Agreements (“SPA’s”), due diligence, and estate planning, as well as corporate, commercial, labor, and environmental law. Pacific Coast Law’s founder, Licda. Rosario Araya A., has maintained her position on the Costa Rican US Embassy’s list of publicly approved Attorneys and Notaries for many years. Our team of native-born lawyers understands the Costa Rican system and works to provide an honest, reliable, and transparent legal service.
Our main office is in Dominical. Our clients come from the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Central and South America. We have helped folks make safe investments in San José, Guanacaste, Jaco, Parrita, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Bahia Ballena, Ojochal, Puerto Cortes, Palmar Norte and San Isidro.

HOW WE WORK

If you are considering investing in real estate in Costa Rica, you have come to the right place. Our Pacific Coast Law team is at your service. Our specialty being real estate transactions and the related legal fields, we assist our clients by tailoring the SPA agreement to their needs. When you contact us, as a courtesy, we do a preliminary revision of the property, which allows us to personalize our advice to you as an investor.

Additionally, we determine a suitable legal and technical due diligence to perform on your behalf. A comprehensive due diligence report is sent to you to make an informed decision, before due diligence ends. Then, we start preparing to close, drafting a closing statement and arranging closing details. In the statement, we prorate any amount related to taxes, insurance, and utility services, as well as reflect the cost for transferring the deed, powers of attorney, certifications, and any other related expense. The day of closing, the deed is translated verbally into English – while we handle the transfer of ownership and attendant details. We are available 12/7 to provide further information, advice and counsel, and clarification. In sum, we strive to provide a great legal service, and to guide you in the overall process. We care about you and your investment, and are committed to protecting your interests every step of the way.