Portuguese Lawyers

GrandOldDuke · Post by **GrandOldDuke** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:18 pm

Hi everyone,
Just joined the forum following a recommendation from someone we met in Carvoeiro.We are just back from Carvoeiro last week and have finally taken the plunge on a second home in the sun.

We have made a reservation on a property on the Pestana Vale do Pinta site and when I got back and searched previous forum messages on the subject of Lawyers I was somwhat shocked and not a little horrified at the various posts regarding the subject of the integrity of Lawyers. Quite a number of threads related to a few years ago and so I wondered has anyone purchased a property recently and had a good experience with a Lawyer. Any recommendations will be gratefully received.

fmm · Post by **fmm** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:16 pm

Maria at LSA was superb for us last year - nothing too much trouble, and very professional.

lsa.adv@sapo.pt

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:40 am

I used a guy named Manual de Sousa who is a one man band with an office next to Lidle in Silves. Cant speak too highly of him. Made it clear as to his charges, did a good job, and the clock didnt run everytime you phoned him. He led us through everything, and speaks very good English.
PM me if you want his number.

flying fish · Post by **flying fish** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:21 am

Agree.. Maria at LSA super service, no probs., constantly in touch via e mail. even got some money returned

Alison · Post by **Alison** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 3:03 pm

I would second Bruce's recommendation for Manuel Sousa. We used him when we bought 4 years ago and he was excellent.

GrandOldDuke · Post by **GrandOldDuke** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:49 pm

Many Thanks,
I will drop Maria an email tomorrow and will contact Bruce via PM for Manual da Sousa contact details

Alison · Post by **Alison** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:41 am

Have pm'd you with Manuel's details.

ceh · Post by **ceh** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 2:12 pm

I need to make a will - has anyone used either of these two lawyers for this purpose?

thanks

fmm · Post by **fmm** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:01 pm

Yup - maria did mine, then she and her assistant took me up to lagoa to have it witnessed and approved (or whatever they do up there!) - very straightforward.

ceh · Post by **ceh** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:37 pm

Thanks fmm - this will be something for me to arrange for the next visit to cvo.

fmm · Post by **fmm** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:33 pm

grand Old Duke - don't forget you need to have your fiscal number before you can do anything - this can take a few days to sort out. Maria did mine the same day (as I was flying back and she managed to get a slot at Lagoa to get it approved).

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:14 am

Manual de Sousa did our wills. Probably preaching to the converted, if so forgive me, but it is my understanding that anybody owning a property in Portugal needs to have a Portuguese will. Whether it's a legal requirement, or just prevents your heirs getting bogged down in a legal minefield, Im not sure.

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:25 am

Implementing foreign wills for property in Portugal is a real hassle, it is probably always a good idea to draw up a portuguese will for these.

GrandOldDuke · Post by **GrandOldDuke** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:31 pm

Hi All
Thanks for all of the advice, we are in discussions with the two Portuguese lawyers mentioned in this thread, as well as with our UK versions as well!

Inheritance Tax is becoming a big issue in the UK so we are wondering if anyone has bought their property through a family trust, rather than as individuals and if so has this caused any problems with the Portuguese Lawyers?

Not being a legal eagle I assume this avoids the need for the Portuguese wills situation. But does it?

VON VON · Post by **VON VON** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:49 pm

we are going to do our will when we are over in June can anyone tell me the going rate for having a portugese will done.
thanks