Costa Rica Expertise LLC

By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

Powers of attorney are one of the leading causes of property and other kinds of fraud in Costa Rica. The cases surrounding stealing by means of a power of attorney also are the hardest ones to fight and win. Judges rulings abound where they tell plaintiffs they are out of luck because they gave someone else permission to steal from them. Expats can lose everything to a power of attorney.

Everyone living or doing business in Costa Rica should know the five basic powers of attorney and know when to use them and, most importantly, when not to use them. Many expats give the right to steal to others without even knowing they have done so.

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By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

Mortgages are becoming more and more available in the local market for expats who want to borrow money to buy property. There is a lot of money available for financing from local financial institutions. Private parties also have money to lend, but usually the interest rates are higher.

What most foreigners do not know about borrowing money in Costa Rica is how the foreclosure process works if one should default on a loan. Unscrupulous private lenders, attorneys and real estate people take advantage of the ignorance of homebuyers and, in some cases, use this knowledge to steal back properties they have sold.

On the other hand, deadbeat debtors can betray honest creditors with Costa Rican legal magic and procedural sleight-of-hand tricks.

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Officials there brush off complaints about delays

By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

In more and more cases, buying property in Costa Rica can hold an innocent property buyer hostage for years, bankrupt them and even kill them with stress and strain.

Only a few years ago, it was rare to read about property fraud in the local press. Nowadays, it is probably one of the most important topics of the news. Sometimes even a legally perfect property can carry hidden problems. Costa Ricans and savvy expats can use these complications to sour even the best and honest real estate transaction.

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Her word rules, and he goes to jail

Get out of the house!

By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

Women are kicking their mates out of the house in record numbers in Costa Rica. Some of them are enjoying it and using the law designed to protect women against domestic violence to swindle expats. Many expats come to Costa Rica in search of a relationship and end up shooting themselves in the foot by making bad choices.

Police in Heredia say women are abusing Law 8589 Article 7. The article states, “In order to protect the victims, they will be able to request, from the start of the complaint, the protective measures contemplated in the law against domestic violence, as well as the necessary precautionary measures foreseen in the penal code of procedure.”

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Bad guys exploit statute of limitations

A.M. Costa Rica graphic
The delay in cases here is simply a crime

By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is experiencing a meltdown in its court system. This is especially true in the criminal courts. Many cases are lapsing and are in mora judicial, judicial neglect.

Calling or writing officials regarding a case is a joke.

An answer to a written pronto despacho, an immediate attention request, last week was horrifying. The prosecutor in charge of an obvious stolen property case stated she is overwhelmed and asked that victims respect her predicament.

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