Land Dispute in the DR - Santo Domingo

RE: Land Dispute in the DR

Quote:

SaintDomingo previously said:

Hello people.

Ok so I own some land in the Dominican Republic which i have not seen since I last was in the D.R some 30 years ago. I pretty much left the land unattended all these years. Anyhow, I found out a few months ago that someone has built a house on my property and is living there. I'm willing to allow the person to stay there if they buy it from me. And I'm planning on taking my case to the land tribunal early next year.

Does anyone know approximately how long it will take until my case settles?

All answers are very appreciated, thank you.

Hi,

I'll give you some free uninterested advice. Unless the lands are worth a LOT of money fighting in court is not worth it. It could take many years, lots of money and even after you get a final sentence, (again, this could take YEARS) you'll still need to put up more money to execute the sentence.

Your best bet is trying to find a friendly solution. See if they're up to it. Do you have your original title? they might be interested in getting the titles to the land, specially after they've made investments.

I know what I'm saying might sound bitter and that is the kind of advice that you won't find frequently. Most lawyers just want your money, but that's not how we work.

Hope this helps,
Arturo

PS: I have two law degrees in the DR, work and live in the DR. My father's law firm's been in business for over 40 years and we have our main office in the heart of Santo Domingo's business district (Winston Churchill, Piantini)

Here's a link to our website:
http://dafesaconsultores.com

#9 - Posted 24 March 2012, 11:21 PM
RoyStone Location: Australia Join date: October 2010 Member #: 6074 Posts: 6208	RE: Land Dispute in the DR Quote: ArturoFeliz previously said: Quote: SaintDomingo previously said: Hello people. Ok so I own some land in the Dominican Republic which i have not seen since I last was in the D.R some 30 years ago. I pretty much left the land unattended all these years. Anyhow, I found out a few months ago that someone has built a house on my property and is living there. I'm willing to allow the person to stay there if they buy it from me. And I'm planning on taking my case to the land tribunal early next year. Does anyone know approximately how long it will take until my case settles? All answers are very appreciated, thank you. Hi, I'll give you some free uninterested advice. Unless the lands are worth a LOT of money fighting in court is not worth it. It could take many years, lots of money and even after you get a final sentence, (again, this could take YEARS) you'll still need to put up more money to execute the sentence. Your best bet is trying to find a friendly solution. See if they're up to it. Do you have your original title? they might be interested in getting the titles to the land, specially after they've made investments. I know what I'm saying might sound bitter and that is the kind of advice that you won't find frequently. Most lawyers just want your money, but that's not how we work. Hope this helps, Arturo PS: I have two law degrees in the DR, work and live in the DR. My father's law firm's been in business for over 40 years and we have our main office in the heart of Santo Domingo's business district (Winston Churchill, Piantini) Here's a link to our website: http://dafesaconsultores.com Are there squatters' rights in Dominican Republic legislation? In Victoria Australia it is called "Adverse Possession" and takes effect after 15 years occupation. If there is a similar law here then after 30 years it would not even be worth the cost of a phone call, let alone litigation. If the occupier has legal possession then he has no reason what-so-ever to negotiate with the original owner. He may even come up against the Catholic Church who one poster here said threatened him, the rightful owner, if he attempted to evict squatters. Not fair or just? Absolutely not, but unfortunately that has nothing to do the law. "Arguing on the internet is like running in the Special Olympics... Even if you win, you're still retarded."
	Post IP: 190.124.70.16*

#1 - Posted 23 October 2011, 10:28 PM
SaintDomingo Location: United States Join date: October 2011 Member #: 9424 Posts: 3	Land Dispute in the DR Hello people. Ok so I own some land in the Dominican Republic which i have not seen since I last was in the D.R some 30 years ago. I pretty much left the land unattended all these years. Anyhow, I found out a few months ago that someone has built a house on my property and is living there. I'm willing to allow the person to stay there if they buy it from me. And I'm planning on taking my case to the land tribunal early next year. Does anyone know approximately how long it will take until my case settles? All answers are very appreciated, thank you.
	Post IP/Country: 173.2.181.1* / US

#2 - Posted 27 October 2011, 3:51 PM
guillermone Location: United States Join date: March 2008 Member #: 522 Posts: 5804	RE: Land Dispute in the DR Quote: SaintDomingo previously said: Hello people. Ok so I own some land in the Dominican Republic which i have not seen since I last was in the D.R some 30 years ago. I pretty much left the land unattended all these years. Anyhow, I found out a few months ago that someone has built a house on my property and is living there. I'm willing to allow the person to stay there if they buy it from me. And I'm planning on taking my case to the land tribunal early next year. Does anyone know approximately how long it will take until my case settles? All answers are very appreciated, thank you. I think I might be in a similar situation with a home site I bought not as long ago as you, but at least 10 years ago and have never been back to check on it. However, 30 years is a long time. There are squattors laws which over a certain period of time gives them right of ownership. But each circumstance is different and not applicable to all situations. But it is most definitely a legal question that might cost you a lot of money in legal fees. Be careful who you hire and weight out the options, expenses vs the benefits, because a legal battle and winning in court might cost you more then what the land might be worth. Nevertheless, first determine if it is worth fighting it out. In the DR the one who wins is usually the one with the deepest pockets, not necessarily what you are legally entitled. Edited on 10/27/2011 4:03 PM by guillermone.
	Post IP/Country: 168.221.159.3* / US

#3 - Posted 4 November 2011, 7:50 PM
SaintDomingo Location: United States Join date: October 2011 Member #: 9424 Posts: 3	RE: Land Dispute in the DR Thanks for the info, I actually have consulted a lawyer a while back. He seemed to believe I can win and he never brought up squatters rights so i assume those laws dont apply to my case or he would've brought it up. But like you said the land might not be worth fighting. in any case if I'm still the legal owner I may be able to go over there and physically force him out??
	Post IP/Country: 173.2.181.1* / US

#4 - Posted 6 November 2011, 12:12 AM
guillermone Location: United States Join date: March 2008 Member #: 522 Posts: 5804	RE: Land Dispute in the DR Quote: SaintDomingo previously said: Thanks for the info, I actually have consulted a lawyer a while back. He seemed to believe I can win and he never brought up squatters rights so i assume those laws dont apply to my case or he would've brought it up. But like you said the land might not be worth fighting. in any case if I'm still the legal owner I may be able to go over there and physically force him out?? Let me know. I would be very interested in learning the outcome. I will probably have to do the same thing. I will get on it as soon as I have the time, hopefully before the end of next year. I just hope it is not too late to take action. Edited on 11/6/2011 12:12 AM by guillermone.
	Post IP/Country: 76.109.124.13* / US

#5 - Posted 7 November 2011, 7:48 PM
SaintDomingo Location: United States Join date: October 2011 Member #: 9424 Posts: 3	RE: Land Dispute in the DR I'll keep you posted if I'm still on this site.
	Post IP/Country: 173.2.181.1* / US

#6 - Posted 8 November 2011, 1:04 AM
guillermone Location: United States Join date: March 2008 Member #: 522 Posts: 5804	RE: Land Dispute in the DR Quote: SaintDomingo previously said: I'll keep you posted if I'm still on this site. If not I could always PM you if circumstances permit.
	Post IP/Country: 76.109.124.13* / US

#7 - Posted 5 February 2012, 9:33 AM
ArturoFeliz Location: Dominican Republic Join date: February 2012 Member #: 10121 Posts: 279	RE: Land Dispute in the DR Quote: SaintDomingo previously said: Hello people. Ok so I own some land in the Dominican Republic which i have not seen since I last was in the D.R some 30 years ago. I pretty much left the land unattended all these years. Anyhow, I found out a few months ago that someone has built a house on my property and is living there. I'm willing to allow the person to stay there if they buy it from me. And I'm planning on taking my case to the land tribunal early next year. Does anyone know approximately how long it will take until my case settles? All answers are very appreciated, thank you. Hi, I'll give you some free uninterested advice. Unless the lands are worth a LOT of money fighting in court is not worth it. It could take many years, lots of money and even after you get a final sentence, (again, this could take YEARS) you'll still need to put up more money to execute the sentence. Your best bet is trying to find a friendly solution. See if they're up to it. Do you have your original title? they might be interested in getting the titles to the land, specially after they've made investments. I know what I'm saying might sound bitter and that is the kind of advice that you won't find frequently. Most lawyers just want your money, but that's not how we work. Hope this helps, Arturo PS: I have two law degrees in the DR, work and live in the DR. My father's law firm's been in business for over 40 years and we have our main office in the heart of Santo Domingo's business district (Winston Churchill, Piantini) Here's a link to our website: http://dafesaconsultores.com
	Post IP: 186.6.19.20*

#8 - Posted 24 March 2012, 11:35 AM
stillhere Location: Dominican Republic Join date: October 2011 Member #: 9385 Posts: 784	RE: Land Dispute in the DR Could some one find and post any squatters right, land owners rights and any other info for all to see??? Albert Einstein Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
	Post IP/Country: 190.0.77.19* / DO

#10 - Posted 25 March 2012, 7:54 AM
Mart1n Location: Dominican Republic, North coast Join date: March 2008 Member #: 524 Posts: 157	RE: Land Dispute in the DR I am not a lawyer but from what I have heard here as I live in the DR there is squatter rights but only if you give them permission to be there. So if you give them the permission to stay there you have lost. First bring it to their awareness that you have legal title to the land but you will help them in any way to move to some where else and stay out of any fighting if possible
	Post IP/Country: 190.166.38.23* / DO

May 25, 2012, Updated 6:47 AM
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