Hi there!
When I first arrived in Fortaleza, I naturally didn't speak very much Portuguese.
As a matter of fact relatively soon after arrival, I began teaching English to managers of a couple of local companies who were already at the "intermediate" level of speaking the language.
One day, I was driving to a class when I was pulled over by the local police. It was a routine check but I didn't really know what was happening.
As it happened, one of the documents for my car was out of date.
Now this was at 7.30am on a Friday morning.
It looked like the police were ready to impound my car!
I hurriedly called my wife at my home and asked her to quickly call my lawyer.
My lawyer, Marcus, called my cell phone and I handed it to the police.
After the conversation, which Marcus had with them while on his way to my location, we waited to see what would happen.
When Marcus arrived, he spent about fifteen minutes talking to the police at the checkpoint and after that, I was free to go.
Marcus had apparently been doing quite a bit of work lately with the local police and he had a good relationship with the force in general.
He had me promise to take my documents...updated...to the Delagacia, or local police station the next day. It was fairly near my residence so it wasn't too much of a problem.
This is just a small example of how, having a local lawyer...hopefully who speaks English, as mine does...can be a big help for those of us living here who are Portuguese "impaired"!
If you are a client of Fortaleza Adventure, we can easily put you in touch with good, honest and ethical lawyers who also speak English.
I should mention that Marcus is actually Marcus Jr. and that his father and brother are also lawyers in the firm. This is a real family legal firm which has been established in Fortaleza for many, many years.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Why you might need a lawyer in Fortaleza!
Hi there!
This blog will try and point out the reasons why having a good, honest and ethical law firm is an advantage to living in Fortaleza, Brazil
First of all, I've lived here for six years and have used my lawyer several times over that period.
I am not a person who goes around sueing everyone in sight so the fact I have had need of a lawyer over the six years is an example of why an ordinary person like you might need to find and get to trust a good legal mind here.
I get many, many emails at Fortaleza Adventure.
A great number ask about real estate...is real estate a good investment in Fortaleza, if so, can I find the place I'm looking for, either to live in or possible rent, or both!
I'll deal with this aspect of life in Fortaleza first because I get more questions about this than anything else.
First of all, we do NOT buy or sell real estate.
I must reiterate that Fortaleza Adventure suggests NOT to buy anything on-line...from anyone, and I don't care who they are or what their credentials might be.
You have no idea what it's like to live or invest here until you get "boots on the ground" as the Army would say!
Fortaleza Adventure suggests that after deciding Fortaleza is a place you want to check out in terms of either living or investing, you pick a time, hop on a jet and come and visit for as long a time as you can.
That way you can get a good idea or impression of the city and it's surrounding area.
Fortaleza Adventure can be your "personal Concierge" for the city" helping you from the time you arrive here until you are delivered by us back at Pinto Martins International Airport.
Look for the contact page on our website, or email directly, andy@andyneill.com.
Next!
Real estate is not done here as it is in North America or Europe!
Firstly, there is no MLS or equivalent!
That means one way of finding something you might like is to go to the local real estate agents or companies and explain to them what you need or want. The only problem with this approach is that the real estate agents and companies are hired by sellers to find buyers!
The first properties you see...maybe the ONLY peoperties you see, will be those already on file with the agent or company.
They are not trying to please you really, they are trying to match possible buyers with the clients they already have.
Another route you might take is to meet a good legal person in Fortaleza, have them show you the areas that might have what you're looking for and then, once you have found the right place, have the legal person do the negotiating for you.
The reason for this is that if the potential seller sees a Gringo coming, the price has a tendancy to rise...sometimes substantially!
Fortaleza Adventure can help!
We can start the process of finding the right legal person for you. We'll make an initial introduction for you and then, if you want to continue the search, we'll point you in the right direction to do that.
Who you choose is completely up to you.
Once you have chosen a property, your legal person will do a title search for you.
Fortaleza in a very old city and a title search is very important because in some cases it is very difficult to establish ownership of houses or building in general.
Your lawyer will also make sure your property is registered with the right agencies and that all the paperwork is done for you.
That way, you can rest easy knowing the property is really yours and there won't be any problems later.
There have been cases where people have assumed the property is theirs, but then someone tunrs up on their doorstep months or even years later with papers showing that the place is really theirs!
There are also potential pitfalls to buying off-plan, as they say. That is, buying property, usually a condo or apartment, before it is built.
the developers offer sometimes substantial discounts for people who are willing to take the risks involved, and there are risks.
If you drive around the city, you can see various buildings that are sitting vacent...not even finished.
You don't want to have bought an apartment or condo in any of these!
Due diligence in buying real estate in Brazil is very important and your legal person can help with local knowledge of various builders and developers.
With Fortaleza Adventure's initial introduction to help, you'll be well on your way to avoiding any problems with buying real estate in Fortaleza.
This blog will try and point out the reasons why having a good, honest and ethical law firm is an advantage to living in Fortaleza, Brazil
First of all, I've lived here for six years and have used my lawyer several times over that period.
I am not a person who goes around sueing everyone in sight so the fact I have had need of a lawyer over the six years is an example of why an ordinary person like you might need to find and get to trust a good legal mind here.
I get many, many emails at Fortaleza Adventure.
A great number ask about real estate...is real estate a good investment in Fortaleza, if so, can I find the place I'm looking for, either to live in or possible rent, or both!
I'll deal with this aspect of life in Fortaleza first because I get more questions about this than anything else.
First of all, we do NOT buy or sell real estate.
I must reiterate that Fortaleza Adventure suggests NOT to buy anything on-line...from anyone, and I don't care who they are or what their credentials might be.
You have no idea what it's like to live or invest here until you get "boots on the ground" as the Army would say!
Fortaleza Adventure suggests that after deciding Fortaleza is a place you want to check out in terms of either living or investing, you pick a time, hop on a jet and come and visit for as long a time as you can.
That way you can get a good idea or impression of the city and it's surrounding area.
Fortaleza Adventure can be your "personal Concierge" for the city" helping you from the time you arrive here until you are delivered by us back at Pinto Martins International Airport.
Look for the contact page on our website, or email directly, andy@andyneill.com.
Next!
Real estate is not done here as it is in North America or Europe!
Firstly, there is no MLS or equivalent!
That means one way of finding something you might like is to go to the local real estate agents or companies and explain to them what you need or want. The only problem with this approach is that the real estate agents and companies are hired by sellers to find buyers!
The first properties you see...maybe the ONLY peoperties you see, will be those already on file with the agent or company.
They are not trying to please you really, they are trying to match possible buyers with the clients they already have.
Another route you might take is to meet a good legal person in Fortaleza, have them show you the areas that might have what you're looking for and then, once you have found the right place, have the legal person do the negotiating for you.
The reason for this is that if the potential seller sees a Gringo coming, the price has a tendancy to rise...sometimes substantially!
Fortaleza Adventure can help!
We can start the process of finding the right legal person for you. We'll make an initial introduction for you and then, if you want to continue the search, we'll point you in the right direction to do that.
Who you choose is completely up to you.
Once you have chosen a property, your legal person will do a title search for you.
Fortaleza in a very old city and a title search is very important because in some cases it is very difficult to establish ownership of houses or building in general.
Your lawyer will also make sure your property is registered with the right agencies and that all the paperwork is done for you.
That way, you can rest easy knowing the property is really yours and there won't be any problems later.
There have been cases where people have assumed the property is theirs, but then someone tunrs up on their doorstep months or even years later with papers showing that the place is really theirs!
There are also potential pitfalls to buying off-plan, as they say. That is, buying property, usually a condo or apartment, before it is built.
the developers offer sometimes substantial discounts for people who are willing to take the risks involved, and there are risks.
If you drive around the city, you can see various buildings that are sitting vacent...not even finished.
You don't want to have bought an apartment or condo in any of these!
Due diligence in buying real estate in Brazil is very important and your legal person can help with local knowledge of various builders and developers.
With Fortaleza Adventure's initial introduction to help, you'll be well on your way to avoiding any problems with buying real estate in Fortaleza.
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