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Puerto Rico Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: What is the process to get cars that are titled and registered to a deceased person and parked in PR, back to the US?

The cars are part of the deceased individual's small estate which is registered in Maryland. However the cars are physically in Puerto Rico (PR) We have a personal representative appointed by the courts who has all the documentation for both cars. Will going to CESCO in Puerto Rico be... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: What are the appropriate steps to purchase a land that has been segregated?

The owner says all they have is the segregation document in their name. They have not inscribed the property anywhere. We are not related to the seller and the seller has no children.

0 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I am 16 and live withy grandparents (they do not have custody). I want to move to my other set of grandparents house.

I am 16 and live withy grandparents (they do not have custody). I want to move in with my other set of grandparents. My mom and dad live in USA. Can I move without involving attorneys? Or should I retain one? I feel like I'm a free agent, since nobody really has custody of me. Help!

0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Puerto Rico on
Q: Our tenants just vacated our condo in Puerto Rico after 9 years. The unit is in horrible condition and never maintained.

Our realtor says it is only worth $140k because of its condition. If it was in the same shape as when they moved in, it would sell for $200k.

1 Answer | Asked in International Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: My mother-in-law is a resident of Puerto Rice and has her bank account there as well

can someone from the bank personally go to your home without any notice to take photos of the home and photos of private documents.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 12, 2024

This situation raises serious privacy and security concerns. Bank representatives should not show up at your home unannounced to take photos or document private information. Such behavior could potentially be illegal and violates standard banking protocols.

Your mother-in-law should...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation, Construction Law and Small Claims for Puerto Rico on
Q: I hired a contractor to add a new roof to my house. He “ Finished “ the roof doing a horrible job resulting in leaks

He told us he was licensed merchant Naics codes 56173, 23611, 23819. The valleys on the roof was done incorrectly. He didn’t put the windows in the roof nor the balcony in the house. Called him over 3 weeks with no response and has blocked our contact. We’ve already paid him the full 20,000.... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Nov 22, 2024

Pursuant to the Contractor Registry Law of 1995, all contractors in Puerto Rico must inscribe in the Department of Consumer Affairs' (DACO) Contractor Registry, plus maintain a performance bond of at least $15,000 to respond for deficiencies in their work.

Your attorney can file a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Puerto Rico on
Q: Hello. Is there a way I can file a small claim against an LLC registered and located in Puerto Rico?

I am an owner of a small trade business, located in Texas. My business sold goods to a company from Puerto Rico that failed to pay. As of now, it is 1-year payment delay, when originally agreed terms were net 30. The company in Puerto Rico doesn't respond to phone calls and emails. Payment... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Nov 20, 2024

There is an expedient way to collect an outstanding debt by presenting the debt before the Municipal Court of the city where the debtor resides or operates. Along with a copy of the contract and corresponding invoice, the creditor must also attest as to the attempts made to collect. As a rule, your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Terminating a lease

If the landlord wants to terminate the lease, how many days notice and does it have to be in writing and laws when the person is a senior citizen

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Nov 20, 2024

The answer to your question should be included within the rental contract that you both should've signed. As a rule, most rental contracts have a 30-day advance notice clause for termination of the lease.

If the landlord/landlady attempts to evict, and the leasee is an senior citizen,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Puerto Rico on
Q: I had two people from an engineering firm in Puerto Rico take an online course and now I cant get them to pay me for it.

The amount is around $3000 US What are my options?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 24, 2024

Attorneys who practice in Puerto Rico could advise best, but your question remains open for over two weeks. Did the agreement for the course you offered include any clauses about where disputes or collections would be handled? That could be the first thing to look into. One option is to approach... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Took a loan to buy a house w/gifted down-payment from a live in partner. Can live in partner claim co ownership later?

Before entering into real estate purchase, live in partner expressed verbally that even though only 1 person was entering a mortgage contract that any contributions made to improve the property will be compensated and accounted for before any profits of sale was split between the two parties. And... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Nov 4, 2024

I am inferring from your question that your then live-in partner does not appear on the sales deed. If this is the case, your live in partner does not have a participation right in the real estate property, although he can have a right to receive repayment of the amount that he provided for the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: How is the compensation of elderly caregivers or tutor established?

My brother is currently taking care of my elderly disabled father in PR and is requesting to be paid an unafordable amount in order to do so.

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Nov 4, 2024

The rule of law in Puerto Rico establishes a maximum of 10% of the elderly unfit's bank accounts, subject to assignment by the court. In order to claim compensation, your brother must demostrate that taking care of your elderly father has caused your brother financial loss, such as not being... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Puerto Rico on
Q: A guy hit my car March 31st 2024, it was his fault and I have the police report. My insurance paid for my car to get fix
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 1, 2024

An attorney who practices in Puerto Rico could advise best, but your post remains open for two weeks. Your post didn't include a question. But it looks like your insurance company handled matters as a first-party claim. Bases on liability, which you mention is in your favor, it's possible... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Venta de la casa con 8 herederos pero 1 se niega a vender, aunque no vive en la casa

Somos de Puerto Rico, 8 hermanos vivos. Nuestros padres fallecieron y una de mis hermanas se ha hecho cargo de la casa por 12 años, incluyendo su total mantenimiento. Ella ya esta haciendo los tramites para vender la casa, pero una de mis hermanas (que vive en otro lugar), se niega a vender la... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Oct 22, 2024

Los herederos restantes pueden acudir ante el Tribunal del municipio donde se halla la casa, en una demanda de liquidación de comunidad hereditaria. La hermana que no desea vender tendría que ser emplazada (por edicto, si vive fuera de Puerto Rico o si no la pueden ubicar). Al vender la casa, la... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: I need an attorney who is licensed in Puerto Rico. We are living in NY

My mother found out that she was left out of an inheritance. There is land in Puerto Rico that belong to her Grandparents and her father and his siblings. Her dad passed away when she was young, but her dad was the eldest son then came all the other siblings. Her uncle was the only child still... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Oct 7, 2024

Your text does not detail how your mother found out about her inheritance. First off, you would need to identify the real estate property in Puerto Rico, procure either a title study or registry certification for the property to understand whether or not it still remains in your grandparents'... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I have to pay tax for used 2018 porsche panamera 4 hybrid plug in puerto rico?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 7, 2024

When purchasing a used car, such as the 2018 Porsche Panamera 4 Hybrid plug-in in Puerto Rico, you will need to pay certain taxes and fees. Puerto Rico imposes a sales and use tax (IVU), which applies to both new and used vehicles. In addition, there is a "patente" or excise tax, which is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Education Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Hello I signed a ISA for a coding school and on the contract in the disclaimer it says it is not a credit or loan

But according to the to the The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education it is in fact a private education loan are these grounds for Misrepresentation? I signed the contract because they kept sayin it is not a loan

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Sep 30, 2024

My immediate advice to you is to never sign any agreement/contract unless you fully understand what it is that you are signing. A general rule of law is that ignorance of the law does not exempt you from it's compliance; and contracts are considered law between the subscribing parties.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: In Puerto Rico, what is the legal citation or statute(s) that provided for a “step up” in a home’s value for the heirs.

Mother passed away June 2024. Father passed 10 years earlier. 4 children set to inherit and are having home appraised.

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Sep 20, 2024

For a person that died prior to January 1, 2018, the value of the deceased's participation in any real estate property reported in the estate tax return filed for that person is valued at fair market value, typically submitted along with an appraisal of the real estate's value at the time... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Tax Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: How can I search to see if I owe taxes? If I can’t access the system? I want to see if there are any liens
Carmela Graciela Walrond
Carmela Graciela Walrond
answered on Sep 19, 2024

If you want find out if you have any tax liens, it is best to contact a tax professional and obtain IRS account transcripts.

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