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Questions Answered by Ramon Olivencia
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: My parents both passed, the house in Puerto Rico was left three of us, but my younger brother went and change the name .

How could he had done that according to the paper in his name is on the house not my name or my other brother how could take him to court plus my parents were in a nursing home here in Bronx.

My sis in law is saying that if I go near her property she will call the police.

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Nov 25, 2020

If your parents did not leave a will, which is the overwhelming number of cases, then that is legally impossible to have happened. In particular, if the inheritance transfer process was indeed completed, the Property Registry will actually require and verify the Declaration of Heirs and can only... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: My father has a property in Puerto Rico and died in January 2017. My father lived in New Jersey and left a will.

What steps do I need to take now to sell the house and what are the fees associated with this?

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Oct 26, 2020

It´s difficult to offer an estimate without first looking at the details of your case, particularly the will and the details of the real estate. There are a number of steps to take by the attorney, which, in a nutshell, are: 1) validation of the will, 2) Inheritance Estate Form with the PR... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Puerto Rico on
Q: My dad passed away 8 yrs ago in P.R. & didn’t have a will. His estate went to probate court. How do i get a copy
Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Oct 23, 2020

You can obtain a copy via the courts at the same town/city where he lived or had his main real estate property, if any.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I own property in Puerto Rico with my mom and she passed away 21 years ago. I have paid the taxes.

I have siblings, are they entitled to our mother’s portion?

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Oct 5, 2020

Yes, your siblings are entitled to the mother´s portion. If you have paid the taxes, then you can arrange with them for a credit on your behalf. It is important that inheritances be transferred and finished promptly to avoid the possibility of extra taxes or problems related to the passing of time.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Puerto Rico on
Q: How do I collect my inheritance when it’s been deposited into court waiting to be collected? I live in the states

My grandmother estate was finally completed and told that Judge put my portion of the inheritance Into court system till I collect. I live in the states and it’s a pandemic so I can’t fly to P.R. to collect inheritance and I do not have money for a lawyer plus I don’t even know how I would... View More

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Sep 1, 2020

You need to hire an attorney, particularly since you don’t know the intricacies of our court system and you are from out of state. Besides, if you will be getting some moneys then it will be wise to

use a portion of it to pay for legal services. After all, it’s not that straightforward...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Inheritance rules in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico my grandmother passed and her 4 children inherited her home. The paperwork and the home were completed and now they are the sole owners. One of the 4 died, now there are 3. The one that passed had a daughter but she passed away as well, but she has a son that is alive.

Does... View More

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Aug 23, 2020

Yes, the grandson becomes the 4th owner but that is not automatic since the inheritance transfer would first need to be done for the co-owner that died and also for the daughter as well; two separate probate cases.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Hello, my mother in law lost all documents to a property she has in Guayama P.R, How can we go about getting them ?
Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Jul 31, 2020

You can search online for a legal document retrieval service.

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: How do i find out if my mother had a Will in Puerto Rico

My m9ther passed away in march and im in fl and can not travel (due to Covid)or get a hold of her attorney down there to see if she had a Will. She was with me in Fl when she got sick and passed. I cant get anyone to speak with us until i find this out.

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Jun 1, 2020

An attorney can place a search at the Registry of Wills of Puerto Rico to find out if your mother left a will on the island. It is highly recommended that it is done via an attorney since he/she will know how to go about through that process while making sure to include all the necessary requisites... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: can i find out if my dad owned anything when he passed away?

My father lived in Puerto Rico along with my 3 siblings. I live in New York. He recently passed away and I went to Puerto Rico to see if he had a will I received a notice from the court that there was no will. I know the next step would be to go to court and establish that I am an heir however I... View More

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Jun 1, 2020

You can hire an attorney to do a real estate property search, via a title search study. As well, that same attorney could search within the local banks for any accounts left by your dad. In any case, you would have to do a Declaration of Heirs, via an attorney as well, so that the courts can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Selling a home in Puerto Rico.

My mom passed a away a few months ago. She owned a property in Puerto Rico that I would like to sell. She didn't create a will since I am her only heir. What steps do I need to take to sell the home. I live in Pennsylvania, so it's hard getting information. I do have the escritura, but... View More

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on May 7, 2020

Before an heir can sell a property, it is mandatory that the inheritance process has finished. Therefore, the first step is to hire an attorney who you can work with. Currently, there are a number of lawyers working remotely so being in the USA is not a problem. Here is a summary of the steps... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Puerto Rico on
Q: My uncle has passed away in PR. A female has been staying there rent free. The heirs want her to vacate. Please advise.

We dont want to create unnecessary duress for either parties.

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Apr 9, 2020

Hi CT. In order to first claim ownership of the property, the inheritance process has to be done, via an attorney. This includes several steps, in a nutshell: Declaration of Heirs (via the courts), filing of an Inheritance Estate Form (via the PR Treasury Department), transfer of ownership at the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: My parents passed away 28 yrs ago. My siblings and I never claimed the house. How do we claim the house? Is it too late?

We went and saw the house several years ago and no one has lived in it since they passed away. It does however, have lots of damage. We live in the states and not in PR making it difficult to keep up with it. We would like to sell it. What are the steps, if it's not too late, to claim the... View More

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Dec 23, 2019

You can still claim ownership but you should speed up since property taxes will accrue and you don´t want someone to occupy it since after a number of years they could later begin a process to transfer the title to their names.

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I was left a house in Puerto Rico from my mother. I have no documents pertaining to the house.

How can I go about getting the deed and other papers I need to sell?

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Dec 17, 2019

First, you have to make sure that the inheritance paperwork was finished so that the house is officially under your name. This can take time and effort and should only be done by an attorney. If you were "left a house" then we would assume it was via a will, which has to be validated... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Puerto Rico on
Q: My mother passed away 1 year ago and has property in Puerto Rico. I live in the US . What steps do I need for inheritan

My father still lives in puerto rico. I have a brother out there that can not trust. I cant go to Puerto rico but need to transfer the land to my name. Can I do it from the us? I dont have anyone I can trust

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Dec 12, 2019

You can do it from the USA but, just in case, you will need an attorney based in Puerto Rico. On the other hand, unless your mother left a will, any real estate assets left will be jointly split among her children, with a small portion going to your father, if they were still married.

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2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Uncle passed away and had no children. Only surviving relative is my mom. Is she the owner of his property now?

No known will is in place. And we don't know if annual taxes have been paid on property.

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Aug 31, 2019

If the property is located in PR and his parents are no longer alive, and he did not leave a will, then the heir will be your mom but the inheritance process will have to be done in order for her to formally become the owner. If the property was his principal residence and he had obtained full... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Bought property from my mom and dad in Puerto Rico. What do I need to transfer the property under my name.

I already have a written agreement by a lawyer and signed by all parties with the purchase agreement. What additional paperwork would I need to make this official.

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Jul 22, 2019

1. Sales deed to be prepared by an attorney with both parties appearing (sellers and buyers)

2. Transfer at the Property Registry

3. Transfer at the property tax agency (CRIM)

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I have a house in Puerto Rico ther for sale and have buyer interest to purchase it. Do I have to go for any closing?

Or can everything been done over the internet. Such as providing documents that the house is mine. Signing the house over to the buyer? If so how do I get my money. Does the bank wire me the money?

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Jun 9, 2019

You can designate someone via a Power of Attorney with the advice of a lawyer based in PR. As to the bank, they could wire the money or send a check, depending on their policies, or the designated representative can just mail it to you.

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Puerto Rico on
Q: Can I, please be directed where in Puerto Rico I may get an answer whether a case for inheritance has been filed?

Our mother died, followed by stepfather, youngest 1/2 sibling has hinted he has attorney for inheritance who has filed and brother claims it is all his and other 1/2 siblings (step-father's children). He has not been forthcoming with any other info., nor has his attorney. I would like to... View More

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Jun 7, 2019

Normally, the case could be searched under the heir filing the case.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: Are all living children responsible for inherited property taxes even if some have given up their claim?

There are 5 living children who inherited land from deceased parents. 4 of the kids are giving up their share. Are all the kids still responsible for the payment of property taxes whether or not the property is sold, or if the government takes control of the property and demolishes the house on... View More

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on May 16, 2019

If they haven´t actually received the inheritance yet, they should resign it by subscribing a deed through an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: How can I put a house for sale in P.R. after getting heir of declaration certified through court?
Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Feb 27, 2019

No. You need to now obtain a waiver or clearance from the PR Treasury Department by filing an Inheritance Form, also called an Estate Tax Form. Then, there needs to be the transfer of the property rights to the heirs via the Property Registry of PR.

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