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ADVOCATES4U

 

General Legal Advice: Guidance on various legal matters for individuals and businesses.

Family Law: Divorces, child support, custody, and more.

Civil Law: Contracts, inheritances, properties, auctions.

Administrative Law: Procedures and processes before government entities.

Business Law: Company formation, commercial contracts, business advice.

Immigration Law and Expat Services: Specialized assistance for expatriates in Colombia,
Visa and immigration processes, Legal integration in the country, Property purchase and
contracts, Immigration regularization, Appeal of penalties for overstaying.

Criminal Law: Filling Criminal Complaint, Representation on Criminal Procedures,
Hearing and Police Procedures.

 

 

Buying Property in Colombia? Avoid These Common Legal Traps

 

Moving to Colombia or investing here can be exciting — but also confusing. Many expats face unexpected legal issues simply because the rules are different from what they’re used to back home.

 



 

Moving to Colombia can be one of the best decisions of your life — but when it comes to buying property here, it’s also where many expats make their biggest mistakes. The process looks simple at first: you visit a beautiful finca, fall in love with the view, sign a “promesa de compraventa,” and transfer funds.

 

Unfortunately, this is where countless foreigners (and Colombians too) fall into legal traps that can cost them thousands of dollars and years of frustration.

 

⚖️ 1. A Deed Doesn’t Always Mean Ownership

 

One of the most common misconceptions is believing that having a “escritura” (deed) makes you the legal owner. In Colombia, that’s only true once the deed is properly registered in the Oficina de Registro de Instrumentos Públicos.

If the seller fails to register it — or if the property isn’t legally titled to begin with — you might end up with a document that looks official but has no legal value.

 

🧾 2. Always Conduct a Title Study (Estudio de Títulos)

 

Before signing or paying anything, a lawyer must review the full ownership history of the property. This ensures there are no liens, pending lawsuits, or hidden debts. It also confirms the property’s legal existence and proper subdivision approvals, which are critical when buying rural or “finca” land.

 

🚫 3. Beware of Informal Developments

 

Many “eco” or “country” projects look legitimate on the surface — with gates, roads, and smiling neighbors — but lack proper parcelation or construction permits. If a project isn’t legally approved, you may never receive a valid deed or public utilities.

 

💬 4. Don’t Let Shame Silence You

 

A surprisingly common issue is what we call the “shame scam”: buyers who realize they’ve been deceived but stay silent out of embarrassment or fear of looking naïve.

Remember — demanding your rights is not being difficult; it’s protecting yourself and helping others avoid the same mistake.

 

✅ 5. How to Protect Yourself

 

Never sign or pay without a lawyer reviewing the documents.

Verify ownership directly in the Oficina de Registro.

Request copies of all permits and municipal approvals.

Keep written records and WhatsApp messages.

👩‍⚖️ We’re Here to Help

 

At Advocates4u S.A.S., we specialize in helping expats and investors navigate Colombia’s complex legal system — from real estate purchases and visa applications to business formation and dispute resolution.

 

If you’re considering buying property or have concerns about a deal, contact us before signing. We’ll help you verify everything and protect your investment.

 

📞 WhatsApp: +57 304 580 6050 / +57 302 129 1394

🌐 Visit: www.advocates4u.com.co/en

 

 

 

EXPATS SERVICES

 

MIGRATION LAW

Visa Application,
Beneficiary Visas,
Naturalization Letter
Civil Marriage by Power Of Attourney
Appeal of Penalties Imposed for Illegal Overstay,
Request for Political Asylum and Refugee Status
Prenupcial Agremment (Capitulations)


COMMERCIAL LAW

 

Legal Constitution of Business, starting from: $2000 USD + 0.6% on the subscribe capital
Pre-Legal And Legal Collection Actions, To be agreed upon
Brand Registration, starting from: $1200 USD
Registration of Foreign Direct Investment on Bank of the Republic
Sustitution on Foreign Direct Investment
Intellectual Property Registration

Representation on Consumer Protection Action
Representation on Liability Case
Actions for Unfair Competition


PROPERTY LAW

 

Title Study, starting from: $120 USD + 0.6% Property Value
Legal Assistance in Real Estate Purchase, starting from: $300 USD
Constitution or Cancellation of Civil Trust, starting from: $600 USD
Administrative Review of the Catastral Appraisal, starting from: $199 USD
Judicial Review of the Catastral Appraisal, starting from: $1900 USD
Preventive Action for Disturbance (Police Intervention on an Illegal Occupation) and
Police Action for home protection, starting from: $599 USD
Judicial Restitution of Possesion, starting from: $599 USD + 20% of the Annual Rental Value
Horizontal Property Matters, starting from: $99 USD to $ 700 USD
Mutation of Land (addition, sustraction, modification or correction of land measuares), starting from: $1599 USD

FAMILY LAW


Judicial Divorce

Unilateral Divorce From $1300 USD
Divorce by Agreement, from $1000 USD

Judicial Separation of Assets and Liquidation of Partnership

Judicial Declaration of Common-Law Marriage with Partnership

Child Support for Minor, starting from: 20% of the recognized annual amount.

Exemption from Child Support, starting from $2000 USD

Child Support Offer, starting from: $100 USD.

Judicial Collection of Child Support (Execution), starting from $250 USD + 30%. 

Paternity or Maternity Dispute and Investigation

Custody and Personal Care of the Minor, Visitation and Protection of the Minor
ICBF administrative procedures representation

Gift Suggestion

 

CRIMINAL LAW


Filling Criminal Complaint: $699 USD
Assistance on Preliminary Acts: $750 USD
Representation on Indagatory Criminal Hearings with a Judge $900 USD
Representation on Indagatory Hearings with the Local Prosecutor $699 USD
Representation on Indagatory Hearing with the Sectional Prosecutor $2699 USD
Representation on Instruction Hearing from $1200 USD to $10.000 USD
Constitution of Civil Party from $1000 USD.
Extraordinary Resource (Casation or Revision) from $3900 USD

Asset forfeiture from $3900 USD
Legal Representation in Police and Criminal Proceedings, starting from: $900 USD

 

We provide assistance to expats who have been victims of scopolamine or any other drug-related incidents,
as well as cases involving murder, scams, fraud, personal injuries, defamation,
drug possession, and other criminal offenses.

Consultation Price $75 USD
 

 

 

Legal Management for Individuals

 

We offer comprehensive legal services to individuals, ensuring that your personal legal matters are handled with the utmost care and expertise. Our team provides personalized solutions in various areas of law, including but not limited to:

 

Family Law: Divorce, child support, custody, and more.

Civil Law: Contracts, property disputes, inheritance matters, and more.

Administrative Law: Procedures and legal advice related to government entities.

Criminal Law: Legal representation in criminal matters.

Estate Planning: Wills, inheritance, and property management.

Comprehensive Services For Expats.

 

Comprehensive Services for Expats refer to a range of legal and administrative solutions designed to address all the needs of foreigners who wish to live, work, invest, or settle in a country—in this case, Colombia. These services aim to ensure that expats comply with local laws, protect their legal interests, and integrate safely and efficiently.

 

Examples of Comprehensive Services for Expats:

1. Visa and Permit Management:

• Visa applications and renewals.

• Work permits.

• Immigration regularization.

2. Appeals and Litigation:

• Defense in cases of immigration penalties (e.g., overstays).

• Appeals against adverse administrative decisions.

• Legal representation in disputes or judicial cases.

3. Investment and Real Estate Assistance:

• Support in property purchases.

• Verification of contracts and property titles.

4. Business Establishment:

• Company incorporation.

• Advice on commercial contracts and regulatory compliance.

5. Personal and Family Matters:

• Marriage with nationals or other foreigners.

• Child custody and divorce proceedings.

6. Legal and Administrative Integration:

• Registration with government entities.

• Opening bank accounts.

• Guidance on taxes and legal obligations.

7. Rights Protection:

• Defense against potential rights violations.

• Resolution of labor or civil disputes.

 

We are committed to providing high-quality legal assistance tailored to your specific needs. Whether you require advice or representation, we are here to help you navigate through your legal challenges effectively.

 

1. Debt Collection Management Plans: From 25% of the recovered debt amount or judicial representation in executive processes against the debtor.

2. Appeal of Traffic Fines: From $380,000 COP, does not include annulment and reinstatement of rights lawsuit.

3. Prescription of Traffic Fines or Taxes: From $395,000 COP with an additional payment of 15% on the amount effectively declared as prescribed.

4. Negotiation with Collection Agencies: From 15% of the total amount.

5. Judicial Representation in Auctions and Insolvency: From 10% of the asset value or total debt amount over 100 million COP, and 30% for amounts up to 100 million COP.

6. Representation in Conciliation Hearings: From $899,900 COP.

7. Legal Assistance in Legal and Pre-Legal Collection Actions: To be agreed upon.

 

 

Terms and conditions apply as per the service contract. No permanence clauses.

INDIVIDUAL CLIENT

 

Prices for individual clients vary depending on the complexity of the matter.
Get in touch with us through our social media for legal advice
and to receive a quote with the total values for your case.

 

Our prices start from: $75 USD.

Our History

Our Partnerts

Free yourself from worries! Don’t stress anymore.
At Advocates4U, we are here for you.

Our team of legal experts specializes in providing exceptional advice
and strong representation across a wide range of legal areas.

Trust us to resolve your legal issues!

 

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.

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