If you are moving to colombia, investing, or starting a family here, the legal details may be unfamiliar to you, especially when the rules do not match EE. UU. concepts.
We provide legal advice in english so you can make informed decisions with confidence and avoid costly mistakes
Whether you plan to move, buy assets, or establish long-term residency, we can guide you through the key legal steps to do it correctly under colombian law, so your personal and financial decisions are protected from day one.
Get clarity before signing, investing, or moving.
Before marriage (or a de facto marital union), it is advisable to define how assets, income, and debts will be handled. we advise you on the rules of marital property in colombia and help you structure “capitulaciones matrimoniales”, the closest colombian equivalent to a prenuptial agreement (prenup).
This is especially important for expats with:
If you have children in colombia (or plan to have them), it is essential to understand your rights and obligations regarding:
If you are going to buy a property or launch a venture, we can support you with legal guidance related to:
Many foreigners assume that their US estate planning automatically covers their assets in colombia, but the legal framework can be very different.
We advise you on:
(Plain language guide to key legal concepts under colombian law)
The legal process by which a person’s assets, rights, and obligations pass to their heirs upon death. Colombian law imposes mandatory allocations for children and spouses, limiting full freedom of disposal.
The formal legal process to identify heirs, inventory assets, pay debts, and transfer ownership after a person passes away.
A legal document that establishes how a person wishes their assets to be distributed after death. In colombia, they are valid but must respect mandatory inheritance rules.
Children and, in many cases, spouses or permanent partners who have a legal right to a minimum share of the inheritance, regardless of what a will states.
A legally recognized relationship between two people living together permanently without being married. It creates inheritance and property rights similar to marriage.
The community property system under which assets acquired during marriage or a marital union belong to both members equally.
Assets owned before the marriage or received through donation or inheritance, which do not form part of the marital community.
A legal agreement that allows spouses or partners to define how assets will be owned and divided, replacing the default community system.
The legal termination of a marriage.
The legal termination of a recognized common-law union.
The process of dividing and distributing the assets of a marriage or marital union after separation, divorce, or death.
The legal obligation to provide financial support for a child, including housing, education, health, food, and daily expenses.
In certain cases, one spouse or partner may be obligated to financially support the other after separation.
The right and duty to live with a child and make daily decisions regarding their care.
The right of the non-custodial parent to spend time with the child.
The legal power of parents over their children, including their representation and the management of their affairs.
The legal relationship between parent and child, which determines rights to inheritance, custody, nationality, and identity.
The legal recognition of a person as the father or mother of a child.
A child born within a marriage.
A child born outside of marriage; under colombian law, they have the same rights as a marital child.
A legally adopted child with full family and inheritance rights.
The legal family connection between people by blood, adoption, or marriage.
A formal dispute resolution process before a neutral conciliator. The agreements have the same legal force as a court ruling.
A contract regulated by the colombian civil code where parties end a legal dispute through mutual concessions. It is one of the most powerful tools to avoid litigation.
Many family law matters (divorce, division of assets, wills, agreements) can be handled before a notary when there is an agreement, avoiding court.o.
A legal document that authorizes another person (often a lawyer) to act on your behalf in colombia.
Why is it important for expats?
The family and inheritance law in colombia is very different from that of the us. Understanding these concepts helps you to:
