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Property Attorney in the Dominican Republic


With over 25 years of dedicated legal practice, Maribel Roca-Sagnard and the team at MARIBEL ROCA – ATTORNEYS, NOTARIES & CONSULTANTS provide comprehensive property law services for foreign investors, retirees, families, and businesses across Cabarete, Sosúa, Puerto Plata, and the entire Dominican Republic.




Sosua | Cabarete | Dominican Republic
Property Law
Your Trusted Property Attorney in the Dominican Republic
Navigating real estate transactions in a foreign country requires more than general legal knowledge — it demands a specialist. As a leading property attorney in the Dominican Republic, Maribel Roca-Sagnard has guided hundreds of international clients through the complexities of Dominican property law since 1999. Whether you are purchasing a beachfront villa in Cabarete, selling a commercial lot in Sosúa, or resolving a title dispute in Puerto Plata, our firm delivers precise, reliable, and results-driven legal counsel.
The Dominican Republic's real estate market is one of the most dynamic in the Caribbean. Foreign nationals enjoy the same property rights as Dominican citizens under Law 171-07, making it a highly attractive destination for investment. However, the legal landscape — from deslinde procedures to certificate of title registration — requires expert navigation. Our firm ensures every transaction is legally sound, fully documented, and protected from the outset.
ATTORNEY AT LAW NOTARY PUBLIC IN CABARETE

Our Services
Real Estate Legal Services in the Dominican Republic
Our full-service real estate law practice covers every phase of property ownership — from initial due diligence to final title registration. We serve American, Canadian, European, and international clients with transparent, client-centered legal support.
Property Purchase & Sale
End-to-end legal support for buying and selling property in the Dominican Republic, including contract review, negotiations, and closing.
Title Transfer Services
Expert title transfer attorney services ensuring clean, unencumbered ownership registered with the Registro de Títulos.
Property Due Diligence
Comprehensive property due diligence in the Dominican Republic — liens, encumbrances, boundary verification, and zoning analysis.
Inheritance & Succession
Guidance through Dominican inheritance law, succession planning, estate administration, and cross-border estate matters.
Escrow & Closing
Real estate closing attorney services including escrow management, final settlement coordination, and disbursement oversight.
Property Dispute Resolution
Skilled property dispute attorney representation for boundary conflicts, fraudulent deeds, co-ownership disagreements, and more.
Buying Property in the Dominican Republic
Purchasing real estate in the Dominican Republic is an exciting opportunity — and a significant financial commitment. As your dedicated real estate attorney in the Dominican Republic, we protect your investment from day one. The purchase process involves multiple legal stages: property identification, due diligence, promise of sale agreements (contrato de promesa de venta), final deed execution before a notary, and registration of the new certificate of title in your name.
Foreign buyers must understand that not all properties in the Dominican Republic have a clear, registered title. Some parcels remain in the deslinde process — a land survey and demarcation procedure. Our firm conducts thorough title searches at the Registro de Títulos, verifies that the seller holds legal ownership, and confirms there are no outstanding liens, mortgages, or legal claims that could affect your rights.
The Property Purchase Process
  1. Initial Due Diligence & Title Search
  1. Negotiate & Draft Promise of Sale Agreement
  1. Secure Escrow & Deposit Funds
  1. Execute Final Deed Before Notary
  1. Register New Certificate of Title
  1. Transfer Utility Accounts & Property Tax
Selling Property
Selling Property in the Dominican Republic
Whether you are a foreign national liquidating a vacation asset or a business divesting commercial real estate, selling property in the Dominican Republic involves specific legal obligations that must be managed by a qualified property lawyer in the Dominican Republic. Our firm handles every aspect of the sale on the seller's behalf — from preparing the sales contract and ensuring accurate property valuations for tax purposes, to managing capital gains obligations and executing the deed transfer before a certified notary.
Sellers must provide a valid certificate of title, proof of current property tax payments (impuesto al patrimonio inmobiliario), and a certificate of no debt from the municipality. Our attorneys coordinate all required documentation, liaise with the buyer's legal team, and supervise the escrow process to guarantee secure fund disbursement. We also advise on the 3% transfer tax and applicable withholding taxes for non-resident sellers.
Title Transfer Services in the Dominican Republic
A properly executed title transfer is the cornerstone of secure property ownership in the Dominican Republic. As a trusted title transfer attorney in the Dominican Republic, our firm ensures that every transfer of ownership is processed correctly through the Registro de Títulos — the official land registry — and that the new certificate of title accurately reflects the buyer's legal rights.
Title transfers in the Dominican Republic require payment of a 3% transfer tax (impuesto de transferencia inmobiliaria) based on the assessed value of the property. Our attorneys prepare all notarial documentation, coordinate with the Dirección General de Impuestos Internos (DGII) for tax clearance, and file the completed transfer dossier with the Registro de Títulos. Processing times vary by jurisdiction, but our team actively monitors progress to ensure timely issuance of your new certificate of title. We also serve clients requiring Notary Public Cabarete services as part of the transaction.
Due Diligence
Property Due Diligence in the Dominican Republic
Comprehensive property due diligence in the Dominican Republic is arguably the most critical service a real estate attorney provides. Before any foreign buyer commits funds, our team conducts a multi-layered investigation into the property's legal status, physical boundaries, and regulatory compliance. This protects clients from inheriting disputes, encumbrances, or fraudulent claims that could nullify their ownership rights.
Our Due Diligence Checklist Includes:
  • Full title search and certificate of title verification at the Registro de Títulos
  • Lien, mortgage, and encumbrance searches
  • Boundary verification and cadastral survey review
  • Zoning compliance and land use analysis
  • Environmental restriction and coastal zone (zona costera) review
  • Property tax status confirmation with the DGII
  • Municipal debt and utility clearance verification
  • Seller identity and legal capacity confirmation
  • HOA status and condominium regime review (if applicable)
Escrow and Real Estate Closing Services
The real estate closing process in the Dominican Republic culminates in the execution of the final deed (acto de venta) before a licensed notary — a role our firm fulfills directly. As your real estate closing attorney in the Dominican Republic, we coordinate the final settlement, manage escrow disbursements, and verify that all conditions precedent to closing have been satisfied before funds are released.
Our firm offers secure escrow services through dedicated client accounts, providing buyers and sellers with the confidence that funds are held safely until all legal requirements are met. We verify that all outstanding taxes are paid, that the property is free of any legal obstacles, and that the deed accurately reflects the agreed terms. After signing, we immediately file the transfer documentation with the Registro de Títulos to protect the buyer's new ownership rights. Contact our Real Estate Lawyer Cabarete team to schedule your closing consultation.
Inheritance Law
Inheritance and Succession Law in the Dominican Republic
When a property owner passes away in the Dominican Republic — or when a foreign national holds Dominican real estate at the time of death — the succession process must be handled under Dominican law. As an experienced inheritance lawyer in the Dominican Republic, Maribel Roca-Sagnard guides families through every stage of the estate administration process with sensitivity and legal precision.
Intestate Succession
When no will exists, Dominican law prescribes a fixed order of inheritance among direct heirs. We identify legal heirs, obtain declarations of heirship, and partition the estate according to the Civil Code.
Testamentary Succession
We assist in drafting Dominican-compliant wills (testamentos), validating foreign wills for use in the Dominican Republic, and executing the testator's wishes through proper notarial procedure.
Cross-Border Estate Matters
For foreign nationals with assets in multiple countries, we coordinate with international counsel to ensure seamless estate administration that respects both Dominican and home-country legal requirements.
Title Transfer to Heirs
Following the declaration of heirship, we manage the formal transfer of the property certificate of title into the names of the rightful heirs through the Registro de Títulos.
Property Partition and Division Services
Co-ownership of real estate — whether arising from inheritance, joint purchase, or business partnership dissolution — frequently requires formal legal partition. As a skilled property partition lawyer in the Dominican Republic, our firm handles both voluntary and court-ordered divisions of real property, ensuring that each co-owner receives their legally entitled share in a manner that is documented, registered, and enforceable.
Property partition in the Dominican Republic may involve physical division of the land (where legally permitted under zoning regulations), or liquidation of the co-owned asset and distribution of proceeds. Our attorneys negotiate partition agreements between co-owners, prepare the required notarial acts, coordinate with licensed surveyors and cadastral authorities, and register the resulting parcels or amended titles with the Registro de Títulos. When co-owners cannot agree, we represent clients in partition proceedings before the Dominican courts. See also our Property Lawyer Dominican Republic services for related matters.
Dispute Resolution
Real Estate Dispute Resolution in the Dominican Republic
Property disputes are among the most stressful legal challenges a property owner can face. When your rights to Dominican real estate are threatened, you need a seasoned property dispute attorney in the Dominican Republic who knows how to fight for your interests — in negotiation, mediation, or litigation before the Dominican courts.
Boundary Disputes
Neighbor encroachments, conflicting cadastral surveys, and boundary line disagreements resolved through legal channels and court action.
Fraudulent Title Claims
Legal action to annul fraudulently obtained certificates of title and restore rightful ownership to the legitimate owner.
Breach of Contract
Representation for buyers and sellers in promise of sale disputes, deposit forfeiture cases, and failed real estate transactions.
Unlawful Occupation
Eviction proceedings and injunctive relief against unauthorized occupants, squatters, or former tenants refusing to vacate.
Why Choose Maribel Roca as Your Property Attorney in the Dominican Republic
25+
Years of Experience
Practicing Dominican property law since 1999
500+
International Clients
Americans, Canadians, Europeans & investors served
3
Legal Roles
Attorney, Notary & Consultant in one firm
100%
Client Focus
Dedicated to protecting your property rights
Unmatched Local Expertise
Maribel Roca-Sagnard is a fully licensed Dominican attorney and notary with deep institutional knowledge of the Registro de Títulos, the DGII, municipal authorities, and the Dominican court system. Her 25+ years of practice in Cabarete and the broader Puerto Plata region give her unparalleled insight into local real estate market conditions and legal precedent.
International Client Service
Our firm is purpose-built to serve foreign clients. We communicate in English, provide plain-language explanations of Dominican legal procedures, and offer remote consultation options for clients based in North America or Europe. Your investment is our priority — every step of the way. Visit our Title Transfer Lawyer Dominican Republic page to learn more about specific transaction support.
Serving Clients in Cabarete, Sosúa, Puerto Plata & Beyond
Our principal office is located in Cabarete, Dominican Republic — the heart of the North Coast's thriving international real estate market. We serve clients throughout the greater Puerto Plata province, including Sosúa, Luperón, Las Terrenas, Samaná, and Santo Domingo. Whether you are a first-time buyer exploring the Cabarete real estate market or an experienced investor managing a portfolio across the Dominican Republic, our firm provides the on-the-ground legal expertise your transactions demand.
📍 Cabarete
Our home base. We handle the full spectrum of Cabarete property transactions, from condominiums to beachfront estates.
📍 Sosúa
Active in Sosúa's vibrant residential and commercial real estate market, including vacation rental properties and hotel developments.
📍 Puerto Plata
Serving the Puerto Plata municipality with full property law, notarial, and title transfer services for local and international clients.
📍 Dominican Republic
Our reach extends across the entire Dominican Republic. Remote and international clients are welcomed and fully accommodated.
Contact Maribel Roca – Notary and Legal Services in Cabarete
Visit Our Office
Calle Los Pinos No. 2, Residencial Pelican, Cabarete, Dominican Republic, 57000

🇫🇷 Français | 🇬🇧 English
Contact Us
Phone: +1 (809) 571-9248
Whatsapp: +1 (809) 802-5555
Email: info@maribelroca.com
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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