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Puerto Rico Questions & Answers
0 Answers | 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

0 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: What are the steps I would need to take to convert a commercial space to a residential one?

I'm a first time home buyer, so I'm looking at options.

0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Puerto Rico on
Q: My landlord refuses to pay for a plumber and my toilet and tub are full of feces also I have black mold on all the walls

Like 6 months back all the tiles in the shower walls fall off and exposed black mold they were covering up. A guy came out to give a quote and that's where it stayed there's mold growing all over it's hard to clean and other leaks in sinks that were existing when we moved in and... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Puerto Rico on
Q: Is it legal for my landlord to be insured on my personal policy in San Juan, PR?

I just signed my lease and moved in on November 5th. Today I got a text from my landlord requesting that I add him to my insure personal policy but did not specify if he was asking to be added as a party of interest or additional insured.

0 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?

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

0 Answers | Asked in Elder Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Me and my siblings live in the states. Our father lives in PR recently had surgery and needs care.

What can I do if I feel my father’s money is being exploited. He is not completely decapacido but is also not 100% in decison-making and easily influenced to give money.

0 Answers | Asked in Elder Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Me and my siblings live in the states. Our father lives in PR recently had surgery and needs care.

What can I do if I feel my father’s money is being exploited. He is not completely decapacido but is also not 100% in decison-making and easily influenced to give money.

0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Puerto Rico on
Q: paying $500 a month now the landlord wants $1,000

I've been living in the same house for the last 10 years in the Rincón without a lease paying $500 a month now the landlord is telling me that I must pay $1,000 in November is it legal for him to raise my rent double of what I was paying

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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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Constitutional Law, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Puerto Rico on
Q: If a landlord breaks a lease contract, how long can he hold a tenant's deposit & first month rent?

My wife & I have a landlord what he asked for (deposit, labor, & first month rent), but we never was able to move in due to the defects of the apartment (leaking roof, no shower head, & leaking sinks).

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 12, 2024

If a landlord breaks a lease agreement, you typically have the right to get back any deposit and rent payments you've already made. The exact time frame for returning your deposit and first month's rent varies by state, but it's generally within 14 to 30 days after the lease is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Puerto Rico on
Q: I fell in Puerto Rico broke my toe. I live in the state of New York Joe do I four a lawsuit for my injuries and pain

Live in Brooklyn new york

Alberto J. Castaner
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Alberto J. Castaner
answered on Sep 9, 2024

Thanks for your question. The answer is: it depends. If you fell and broke your toe because of someone else's negligent acts or omissions (e.g. a restaurant who left a wet floor unattended without "Caution" signs or a store who had a step that does not meet construction codes)... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Military Law and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Disabled veteran property tax exemption question

Im a disabled veteran who lives in puerto rico.my parents and i are taking out a mortgage to fiance my first home. this is going to be my primary residence. On the loan the borrowers are: my mother, my dad, and me. My question is do i still get an exemption for property tax? Because its coming up... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 13, 2024

It sounds like you're in the process of purchasing your first home, which is an exciting step. Since you’re a disabled veteran living in Puerto Rico, you may be eligible for a property tax exemption. However, these exemptions typically apply to the primary homeowner who qualifies, and the... View More

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