Lawyer Question

fmm · Post by **fmm** » Fri May 05, 2006 7:58 am

I am due to complete on the property in Carvoeiro next Friday. Everything was going very slowly, then suddenly I was told that there was going to be no promissory contract and we were going straight for the deed. I am sure everything is fine, but I just wanted to know if anyone knew the solicitor I was using. I tried to find the company on the website that was mentioned the other day, but I am afraid that I could not find them (possibly due to my complete lack of Portuguese at the moment).

The name of the company is
Lamy, Serra and Alves (LSA)
Rua do Barranco in Caevoeiro.
The lady I am dealing with is Maria Alves.

There are ref numbers after her name
Ced Prof No. and a CF No.

Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers
Mandy

Mike Banks · Post by **Mike Banks** » Fri May 05, 2006 10:20 am

I used Maria and her company last year to draw up wills, after she was recommended to me by someone else, resident in Carvoeiro. I had no problems with her, or with her very helpful staff. I don't think you need to worry about her.

Mike Banks

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 05, 2006 10:26 am

Great - thanks! She seems to be very responsive etc, but I was suddenly having a little panic before I transferred all my hard earned cash to her bank account!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 07, 2006 1:19 pm

Just spotted this. I have to say you made me laugh (kindly) - we too used Maria last year to buy our property - she was excellent. But part way through we had a bad experience of being duped whilst on holiday in San Francisco and our confidence in the world was shaken. I too tried to find her on the web but initiall couldn't find her - rest assured she IS there under the Portuguese Law Society (I'm a qualified lawyer myself so it occurred to me they may have a similar registration system to the UK) with all her qualifications and right to practise!

Enjoy your new property!!

VON VON · Post by **VON VON** » Sun May 07, 2006 5:29 pm

Hi all

We need to make our wills in portugal, could anyone tell me what is the the cost of making one, how long the process takes etc

bazza · Post by **bazza** » Sun May 07, 2006 6:22 pm

Hi von von, made two wills 18 months ago used a local lawyer in Silves. Cost 1000 euros, ( if anyone says i got ripped off i might agree ) these were only simple wills to cover the house and bank accounts in Portugal. Took one month but the notary was the problem as appointments were delayed due to back log.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 07, 2006 6:35 pm

I would say you were more than ripped off .Sounds like a racket to me and someones made a packet out of you.
You can get wills done online now for £30 and discretionary trust wills for £80 and printed off.
Here in UK you can go to solicitor here and get one done for about 50 quid.

bazza · Post by **bazza** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:09 pm

hi guest had two wills done in uk April 2003 cost £385 thro a solicitor but these were a bit more complex. this is more or less 560 euros. which is why i thought i was ripped off. But hey this is Portugal never be suprised!

Mike Banks · Post by **Mike Banks** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:50 pm

The problem is that whereas in the UK you simply pay the solicitor to draft the will, and sign it in his office with his clerical staff acting as witnesses, in Portugal the solicitor will draft the will, but you have to sign it in front of the Notary, and if you don't understand Portuguese, there has to be a translator. Additionally, you will need copies of the will in your native language. Your payment to the solicitor will include fees for the Notary, the translator and the witnesses.

Ruined ma Flipin Finances · Sun May 07, 2006 9:16 pm

Hmmmmmm Lawyers! Along with Estate Agents not many I would trust!

Especialy one who has an office in Silves and Carvoeiro!

Never use a Lawyer recommended to you by your Estate Agent!

Bazza maybe you could tell us the Lawyers name so that we could avoid them?

curious cat · Post by **curious cat** » Sun May 07, 2006 9:46 pm

Anonymous wrote:Just spotted this. I have to say you made me laugh (kindly) - we too used Maria last year to buy our property - she was excellent. But part way through we had a bad experience of being duped whilst on holiday in San Francisco and our confidence in the world was shaken. I too tried to find her on the web but initiall couldn't find her - rest assured she IS there under the Portuguese Law Society (I'm a qualified lawyer myself so it occurred to me they may have a similar registration system to the UK) with all her qualifications and right to practise!

Enjoy your new property!!

Is this genuine or are you being sarcastic guest? The exclamation marks have me worried?Just who were you duped by please?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 07, 2006 9:53 pm

Well I must say that Maria (see posts above) was recommended by our estate agent and I would definitely recommend her myself (can't say whether for will drafting mind you).

My understanding is that you don't HAVE to have a Portuguese will if you are still resident in the UK - you just make sure your UK will refers to your property in Portugal as well as that in the UK. It may be that your executors will need to travel to Portugal to sort things out in person but hey.......if they're also beneficiaries, small price to pay and actually what a treat! I'll be up there on me cloud with me harp so I won't care.

Also if you have a will in the UK, as well as Portugal, you need to make sure your UK will doesn't revoke the Portuguese one by saying "I revoke all wills and testamentary dispositions".........can be a problem I've been led to believe.

Pabbers

bazza · Post by **bazza** » Sun May 07, 2006 9:56 pm

Re the wills, notary fees were five euros per will. the solicitor done the translating and we did not get copies in english.

if you want to end up in Portugal with a small fortune arrive with a big one

Ferragudo Guest · Post by **Ferragudo Guest** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:47 am

I was quoted approx 1000 Euros for simple will in Portugal. You can't make any comparison between cost in Uk and Portugal for legal matters as the two systems are completely different.

I have also had conflicting advice over the need for a Portuguese will if you have a UK one - especially if the UK one mentions Portugal. (We are all in the EU!) Most of us won't know if that advice is any good until somebody near and dear departs.

However, I don't think the opinions of many non-qualified people here is the way to plan your estate. This seems like a topic that should have an FAQ BUT the input for the FAQ should come from suitably qualified people - perhaps in both UK and Portugal.

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:16 pm

For what it is worth my lawyer quoted me today 750 Euros for two Wills (man and wife) at Lagoa Notary