English-Speaking Lawyers in Colombia
Top-rated legal counsel for international investors, expats, and foreign enterprises. We provide rigorous representation in corporate law, real estate acquisitions, contract drafting, and civil disputes across Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and nationwide.
How We Protect Foreign Clients & Businesses in Colombia
Whether you are purchasing real estate in Antioquia, setting up an entity, or navigating a cross-border dispute, we ensure full compliance under Colombian law.
Corporate & Business Formation
Full-service assistance for foreign entrepreneurs establishing operations in Colombia.
- Incorporation of simplified joint-stock companies (S.A.S.) with customized bylaws.
- Registration of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with Banco de la República (Formulario 4).
- Corporate bank account opening and tax ID (RUT) registration with DIAN.
- Bilingual commercial contracts, employment agreements, and shareholder pacts.
Real Estate Closings & Due Diligence
Comprehensive legal protection when acquiring urban apartments, commercial premises, or rural fincas.
- Exhaustive 20-year Estudio de Títulos (title deed search & lien verification).
- Drafting and notary review of Promissory Sale Agreements (Promesa de Compraventa).
- Verification of cadastral certificates, property taxes (paz y salvo predial), and HOA debts.
- Escrow coordination and closing deed (Escritura Pública) registration.
Dispute Resolution & Debt Recovery
Aggressive enforcement of promissory notes, breach of contract claims, and asset defense.
- Judicial collection of unpaid promissory notes (Letras de Cambio, Pagarés, Facturas).
- Defense against improper asset attachments and bank account freezing (Embargos).
- Commercial lease disputes and unlawful detainer / eviction proceedings.
- Representation before Arbitration Centers and Colombian civil courts.
Probate, Wills & Cross-Border Estate
Smooth transfer of Colombian assets, bank accounts, and properties to foreign or local heirs.
- Notarized uncontested probate proceedings (Sucesión Notarial).
- Releasing deceased estate funds deposited in Colombian banks without full succession (Decree 2349).
- Authentication and apostille of foreign Powers of Attorney (Poder Especial).
- Will drafting (Testamento Abierto) adhering to Colombian forced-heirship statutes.
Expat Relocation & Investor Visas
Legal residency pathways backed by verified real estate investment or corporate capital injection.
- Colombian Investor Visa (M / V Category) via real estate purchase or company shares.
- Digital Nomad Visa compliance and local tax residency assessment.
- Foreign exchange filing for real estate purchase funds with commercial banks.
- Cédula de Extranjería issuance and Migración Colombia registration.
Book an English Legal Consultation
Schedule a confidential video conference or phone consultation directly with a senior bilingual attorney. We analyze your documentation, identify risks, and deliver a formal legal strategy.
Our 4-Step Legal Representation Workflow
Case Evaluation
You share your documents or situation. We examine jurisdiction, statutory merits, and risks.
Engagement & Strategy
We provide a clear written engagement letter with fixed attorney fees, milestones, and deliverables.
Execution & Notary Filing
We draft, file, and represent you before notaries, government entities, or judicial courts.
Closing & Written Report
You receive registered certificates, fully executed legal documents, and official bilingual closing files.
Frequently Asked Questions by Foreigners & Expats in Colombia
Can a foreigner buy real estate in Colombia without having Colombian citizenship or residency?
Yes. Under Colombian law, foreign nationals enjoy the exact same property acquisition rights as Colombian citizens. You do not need residency or a Colombian visa to buy real estate; a valid passport and obtaining a local tax ID (RUT) are sufficient. However, you must conduct a thorough title search (Estudio de Títulos) and register the incoming foreign currency properly through Banco de la República.
What is an “Estudio de Títulos” and why is it mandatory before wiring funds?
An Estudio de Títulos is a formal legal title investigation covering at least 20 years of property deed history (Certificado de Tradición y Libertad). It verifies that the seller has clear title, identifies any existing mortgages, tax liens, judicial attachments (embargos), or pending restitution claims. Wiring money without a completed title study creates catastrophic financial risk.
Can I incorporate a Colombian business (S.A.S.) remotely from abroad?
Yes. By issuing a special power of attorney (Poder Especial) authenticated via Apostille in your home country, our attorneys can represent you before the Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio), draft corporate bylaws, register the entity, and obtain the preliminary tax ID (RUT) on your behalf without requiring your physical travel to Colombia.
How do I authenticate foreign legal documents for use in Colombian courts or notaries?
Under the Hague Apostille Convention, documents executed abroad (powers of attorney, certificates of good standing, death certificates, wills) must bear an Apostille from the issuing state/country and must be translated by an official certified Colombian translator (Traductor Oficial) registered with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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