Expat Legal Services in Colombia

We study the property's title history and public records (certificado de tradición y libertad) to confirm the seller truly owns it and that there are no liens, mortgages, lawsuits or restrictions.

Hands-on legal support from offer to signing: we review the documents, explain each step in English and protect your interests throughout the purchase.

We draft or review the promesa de compraventa, the preliminary contract that sets the price, payment schedule, deadlines and penalties before the final sale.

We prepare or review the final purchase agreement (escritura de compraventa) so the terms are correct before you sign at the notary.

We attend the notary signing with you, translate and explain what you are signing, and make sure the documents match what was agreed.

A clear, enforceable lease for landlords or tenants, covering rent, deposits, increases, repairs and how to end the contract.

Before you invest, we review the project or property, the developer and the contracts, and flag legal risks such as zoning, permits or short-term rental restrictions.

If a developer or seller misses deadlines, delivers something different or fails to transfer title, we assess your rights and file the appropriate claim.

We accompany you at the handover (entrega) to check the property against the contract and record any defects or missing items in writing.

Representation in disputes over boundaries, ownership, defects, unpaid amounts or breach of a property contract.

We review the building's bylaws (reglamento de propiedad horizontal) and explain your rights and obligations, including rules on pets, renovations and short-term rentals.

We attend the owners' assembly on your behalf or with you, explain the decisions being voted on and protect your interests.

We review the minutes (actas) of an assembly to confirm decisions were made correctly and identify any you can challenge.

If you disagree with a fine or an extraordinary fee (cuota extraordinaria), we review whether it was lawfully imposed and respond for you.

We draft and file a formal written complaint (derecho de petición or reclamo) to the building administration and follow up on the response.

Legal representation in conflicts with the administration, the council or neighbors, through conciliation or legal action if needed.

Guidance on getting legally married in Colombia: which documents you need, apostilles, translations and how the notary process works.

We prepare and check the documents for your civil marriage so the notary accepts them the first time.

We coordinate the whole civil marriage: documents, notary, scheduling and translations, so you can focus on the wedding.

We draft a prenuptial agreement (capitulaciones) that defines what property stays separate. Under Colombian law it must be signed before the marriage.

When both spouses agree, the divorce can usually be done at a notary. We draft the agreement and handle the process.

When spouses do not agree, the divorce goes through family court. We represent you through the full proceeding.

A divorce that also divides the property and debts acquired during the marriage.

Dividing marital assets (liquidación de la sociedad conyugal), whether after a divorce or as a separate step.

Legally recognizing a common-law relationship (unión marital de hecho), or dividing the shared property when it ends.

Representation to establish custody (custodia) of your children, putting their best interests first.

Changing an existing custody arrangement when circumstances change, such as a move or new work schedule.

A clear written agreement on when and how each parent spends time with the children, including holidays and travel.

Setting or adjusting child support (cuota alimentaria) based on the children's needs and each parent's income.

Legal action to collect unpaid child support.

Legal process to establish who a child's father is, usually supported by DNA testing.

A court process to challenge a recorded paternity, which is subject to strict legal deadlines.

Voluntarily and formally recognizing a child so the child is registered with your name and rights.

Disputes over parental authority (patria potestad), such as decisions on a child's education, health or residence.

The notarized permission a minor needs to leave Colombia with one parent or without parents, or a court request if the other parent refuses.

Confidential legal guidance for victims of domestic violence, including where to report and what protection is available.

Requesting protection measures (medidas de protección) from the family commissioner and following the related proceedings.

Ongoing legal support and representation throughout a domestic violence case.

Written agreements between family members on support, visits or property, drafted so they are enforceable.

Representation before a Colombian family court in any family matter.

We prepare your position, evidence and settlement options before a conciliation hearing.

We attend the conciliation hearing with you, negotiate on your behalf and review any agreement before you sign.

A clear written settlement (acuerdo de transacción) that ends a dispute and can be enforced if the other side fails to comply.

Conciliation for family matters such as child support, visits or separation agreements.

Conciliation for disputes with tenants, landlords, buyers, sellers or neighbors.

We negotiate with creditors or debtors to reach a fair payment agreement and put it in writing.

Negotiating a private solution with the other party, with the attorney representing you, before any formal process.

A review of what you own in Colombia and abroad, and how Colombian law would treat it if something happened to you.

Advice on using a Colombian trust (fiducia mercantil) to hold, manage or protect property or investments.

We read the trust agreement before you sign and explain the fees, the powers of the trustee and how you can get your assets back.

Legal guidance on holding Colombian assets when you also have property, heirs or companies in other countries.

A plan for passing on your Colombian assets, so your family avoids long and expensive inheritance processes.

We draft a will (testamento) that complies with Colombian law, including the shares Colombian law reserves for certain heirs.

We check whether a will made in another country can be used for assets in Colombia and what steps are needed.

We explain who inherits under Colombian law, what share each heir is entitled to and what you need to claim it.

We identify the assets, debts and heirs of the estate and recommend the fastest way to settle it.

When all heirs agree, the inheritance can be processed at a notary instead of in court. We handle it from start to finish.

Successions with several properties, bank accounts or companies, or assets in more than one city.

When heirs disagree, the succession goes to court. We represent you through the full judicial process.

Guidance for foreign heirs, or estates of foreigners with assets in Colombia, including apostilled documents and powers of attorney so you can handle it from abroad.

Representation when heirs disagree on how to divide, sell or manage inherited property.

Registering the inherited property in the heirs' names at the public registry so it can later be sold or rented.

A contract that defines the work, payments, deadlines and responsibilities with a contractor or client.

A written loan between individuals with clear payment terms, interest within legal limits and guarantees.

A document that authorizes someone to act for you in Colombia, for example to sign, collect or manage on your behalf.

A confidentiality agreement that protects your business information.

An agreement between business partners on ownership, decisions, profits and what happens if someone wants to leave.

A contract for working with another business on a project without forming a company.

We review a Spanish contract and explain it to you in plain English, highlighting risks before you sign.

We review an investment contract and check the guarantees, returns, exit terms and risks.

A formal letter from the attorney requiring the other party to comply, often the fastest way to resolve a breach.

Legally ending a contract when the other party breaches it, and claiming what you are owed.

Ending a lease early with the correct notice and the lowest possible penalties, for tenants or landlords.

A claim to enforce a contract or recover money when the other party fails to comply.

We negotiate new terms on your behalf when circumstances change.

Reaching and documenting a settlement in a contract dispute, avoiding a lawsuit.

A fully custom contract for complex or high-value deals.

Claiming compensation for the losses caused by a breach of contract.

A power of attorney for one specific act, such as signing a purchase or a visa document, drafted so the notary accepts it.

We check that a power of attorney signed abroad has the right content, apostille and translation to be valid in Colombia.

We tell you which documents need an apostille or legalization, where to get it and in what order.

We coordinate the documents and appointments needed for any notary procedure.

We go with you to the notary, explain everything in English and make sure the documents are correct.

We review documents issued abroad and confirm they will be accepted by Colombian authorities.

We coordinate official translations by an authorized Colombian translator. Translation fees are paid separately.

We assess whether you have a valid claim, who is responsible and what compensation you could recover.

A legal claim for compensation for physical, financial or property damage.

A formal written demand from the attorney requiring payment or action before legal proceedings begin.

Claims against businesses for defective products, poor service or misleading advertising, including before the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio.

Claims for construction defects, unfinished work or services that were paid for but not delivered.

Collecting money owed to you, from formal demands to legal collection proceedings.

Representation in civil lawsuits before Colombian courts.