Needing some legal advice and uncertain to seek a lawyer or a notario. Can someone who is CERTAIN of the difference explain to me which one has the best credentials, schooling, degrees, expertise etc. Thank you in advance for your help.
A lawyer is a lawyer. A notario is a lawyer that specializes in real estate transactions, rules and regulations.
I have used Mauricio Mendoza many times , for immigration issues , speaks very good English , he has been mentioned on the boards many times. I also know an attorney that handles criminal issues , but his English is limited
LTL gave you the short answer. The longer one is at:Mexico Law Notary Public My lawyer is married to a notario. They argue often about who is the highest up in the food chain and no one wins the argument. Depending on your needs, my take on it is if you want legal representation, WHERE SOMEONE REPRESENTS YOU, in terms of having a fiduciary relationship, like on your side, bound by confidentiality etc, you need a lawyer. If you just want the deal done, like in real estate, the notario has all the power to do that, but gets paid based on getting the it done, but HAS NO FIDUCIARY DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES to either party. My advice, knowing no details, is get a lawyer to advise / represent you. If they need to call in a notario they will do it, all the while protecting your side of the deal. Good luck.
Thank you TJ makes sense to me! With that in mind I have an issue with a Condominium board and their self imposed rules. Would like a recommendation of a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of real estate especially with Condominiums. Would prefer someone who speaks English but not an absolute requirement.
A notario is a lawyer, title company, tax office, and notary, among other things. A notario is an appointed lifetime position and there are a limited amount of them based on the population. Notarios are given authority by the state government and therefor have more "power" than a lawyer. Obviously some lawyers are very influential based on reputation and connections to the government but do not have any actual authority. Notarios have "Fé pública," meaning anything that they say, write, or validate is considered absolute truth by the government. If you have problems with a condo association, I would recommend seeing a notario. Notarios create homeowners and condo associations and are familiar with all rules, restrictions, and regulations involved with them. Edit: Most notario offices employ lawyers that specialize in a variety of things that will represent you and your interests. And notarios are bound to confidentiality as well as lawyers. To be appointed as a notario you must be a lawyer first.
Rudyman, I would recommend Jenny Vance, who I have used for years. 887-3236. Perfect English. Excellent on real estate matters. Husband is Notario No. 1, as in the first one in this area. Great service. She even met me once in the Soriana parking lot on a Saturday morning to hand off some papers I urgently needed. Office is on ground floor of the building on Tulum to the right of the HSBC between Coba and Plz las Americas.
I second that recommendation. Using a lawyer attached to a notario saves you time and usually money too.
