Real Estate, Offshore and Intellectual Property Law Firm in Belize City, Belize

Arguelles & Company LLC

Main Office

Suite 401, The Matalon, Coney Drive P. O. Box 1846 Belize City Belize

 +501-223-0088
 +501-223-6403

www.belizelawyer.com
 Contact Emil Arguelles

Law Firm Overview

Arguelles & Company LLC is an experienced, dedicated law firm located in Belize. We have developed high caliber and specialized staff and expertise in all aspects of structuring quality legal solutions for straightforward as well as complicated matters resulting in increased savings for the client coupled with savings in time. The firm places special professional emphasis on the importance of confidentiality between Attorney-Client relationships as well as within the structures themselves and absolutely in regard to third parties and other entities. The firm specializes in select areas of Belize law and thus has the support staff and contacts to expedite and facilitate client transactions. As the working relationship is long term and mutual, the firm prides itself on securing a few good clients rather than to seek out bulk work requests which result in the loss of personal contact and efficiency.

The firm has established and maintains continued productive working relationships with all departments of government dealing with select areas of expertise including the Department of Lands and Surveys, Belize Intellectual Property Office, The Registrar General, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service, The Companies Registry, The International Business Companies (IBC) Registry and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) together with various Governmental Ministries. In February 2007, the firm was formally recognized by the Mayor of Belize for valuable contribution, support and legal advice to the City. Arguelles & Company LLC is an honorary member of and legal advisor to the Association of Professional Architects of Belize (APAB) and the Association of Professional Engineers of Belize (APEB).

Since its inception and with the onset of the Internet and Globalization, the firm has constantly used technology and adapted to meet the specific requirements of large multinationals and high net worth individuals. Service has now become immediate. Color copies of documents/ Certificates & Titles can now be delivered the same day of receipt via scanning and email in line with the demands of international expectations.

Our Belize attorneys create an enduring and personal relationship which we consider vital to understanding the client’s long term needs and protection. We have in the past worked together with numerous clients and professional intermediaries to create and identify a range of solutions second to none. We pride ourselves in delivery of prompt responses and results. On request, testimonials to the above are available from CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and many U.S. accounting, banking and legal private client advisors.

Year this Office was Established: 2003

Languages: Spanish; Mandarin; Hebrew; English.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Timeshare & Hotels / Resort Law; Escrow Services; Title Insurance; US Dollar Accounts; Industrial Designs Act ; Health and Sanitary Registrations; International Business Companies; International Asset Protection & Management ; Ancillary Services ; Notarizations/Certifications; Powers of Attorney; USD Escrow & Custodian Services; Retirement in Belize; Fiscal Incentives Program - Government of Belize; Development Concessions; Legalizations; Apostilles; Legal Opinions.

Practice Areas Description

Arguelles & Company LLC offers legal services in the following practice areas:

- Real Estate Transfers and Conveyancing

Any potential Purchaser of land in Belize is advised to seek the assistance of a Belize real estate lawyer. This is due to the fact that the transfer process is not automatic and can extend to a few weeks. In the interim, secure and reputable methods to hold funds have been established and banking relationships maintained with many of Belize’s Local and Offshore Banks for the provision of Professional and Licensed Escrow Services. The complexity, and thus potential pitfalls, arising from the transfer of real estate in Belize is attributed to the various types of land titles available in Belize. Arguelles & Company LLC. offers professional lawyers, experienced in all areas of Belize real estate law.

* Legal Services

Provision of legal advice as to the most appropriate structure for the transaction in light of the client’s needs and with regards to savings on taxes; Preparation and Review of the agreement for sale to discern the contractual obligations and to ensure the proper execution thereof and attestation thereto; Attending to its recording (if in recordable format); Investigation of title to the property at such registries as may be necessary depending on the type of property; Making requisitions as to title (if necessary) and title opinion thereon; Preparation of conveyance/transfer documents in respect of the property; Attending to the payment of all requisite government fees on behalf of the client including property taxes, stamp duty and recording or registration fees; Ensuring the proper execution of and attestation to the conveyance/transfer; Attending to recording or registering of the said conveyance/transfer documents at the appropriate registry; Placing or preparing Liens or Cautions on the property where required or appropriate; Submission of retainer agreement between the parties; Procuring all locally required permits for foreign ownership if applicable; and Providing such other normal professional services as may be necessary from time to time to effect the real estate purchase/sale transaction.

* Buyer's Agent/ Seller's Agent Services

Legal representation & review of all title issues, contracts and monitoring of timelines; Requisitions of all further lien information, title documents and tax information; Searches; Title Insurance arrangements; Negotiation of terms, costs and sales price; Market Valuation comparisons; Architectural, Environmental, Development and Contracting contracts and permits.

* Timeshare & Hotels / Resort Law

In October of 2007, Belize passed a Timeshare Act that now regulates, licenses, registers, and provides protection for all parties involved.

* Escrow Services

Type A - Acting on behalf of one party: Preparation of detailed and tailored escrow agreement for your personal special terms and conditions; Full practical and legal protection for client’s money, security of title and interest; Release only when favorable to clients which is dependent upon the specifics of the properly drafted escrow agreement.

Type B - Acting as an Independent Third Party Escrow Agent: Preparation of escrow agreement with local industry standard terms and conditions; Release strictly upon terms of the agreement being fulfilled or alternately, a refund of the escrowed funds; Total and assured impartiality, independence and integrity.

* Title Insurance

For clients wishing to supplement their piece of mind, Arguelles & Company LLC is country approved attorney for First American Title Insurance Company, International Division, Latin American/Caribbean. The firm reviews Root of Title and submits a full report (together with tile documents, affidavits etc.) to First American for them to act upon after their review. To maintain a high level of professionalism and independence, it is preferable that clients request insurance services directly unless otherwise preferred. The Legal Report is then reviewed for compliance with standard quality assurances, a commitment is issued and then underwritten if everything is satisfactory.

* Locating Property

If you would wish for us to find a certain property or type of property without middlemen brokers’ fees and commissions, please provide us with the following: Name and email; Price range; Type of property (Condo, Development, Hotel, Island, Commercial, Residential); Location; Size; Special features; Number of units, baths; Contemplated Timeframe.

* Financing and US Dollar Accounts

Arguelles & Company LLC works in conjunction with Provident Bank & Trust of Belize Ltd. and Atlantic International Bank Ltd. to secure financing for any purchase of land by non-residents of Belize secured by the property itself. US Dollar accounts (in either your name or through the use of confidential local corporate structures) can also be facilitated with no Central Bank Permission (normally mandatory) for repatriation of profit, outgoing wires, or incoming funds. There is no ceiling on any transaction, unless when dealing in cash. There are no foreign exchange regulations applicable, currency conversion rates, or are clients subject to US Dollar availability. 100% access and availability at any time to anywhere.

- Intellectual Property

Starting in 2000, Belize enacted a set of modern TRIPS compliant legislation together with attaining membership in WIPO and PCT. These include: Trade Marks Act (CAP. 257); Copyright Act (CAP. 252); Patents Act (CAP. 253); Industrial Designs Act (CAP. 254); Protection of New Plant Varieties Act (CAP. 255); Protection of Layout-designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits Act (CAP. 256). Belize now has a specialized office dealing strictly with all IP matters and related office actions i.e. Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) and is the National Intellectual Property Registry for Belize.

* Trademarks

A system of “Cautionary Notices” was the prior practice with trademarks being required to be registered in the UK before recognition in Belize. With the passing of the new Act, the antiquated United Kingdom Trademarks Act and the Merchandise Marks Act were repealed. Any marks previously registered now have to be re-registered under the new regime upon expiry and all marks “protected” by Cautionary Notices must now register.

* Patents

A patent may be granted in Belize only for an invention which satisfies the following conditions: The invention must be new; The invention must involve an inventive step; The invention must be capable of industrial application. An invention is not patentable if it is: a discovery; a scientific theory or mathematical method; an aesthetic creation such as a literary, dramatic or artistic work; a scheme or method for performing a mental act, playing a game or doing business; the presentation of information, or a computer program; a method of treatment for the human or animal body by surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic methods practiced on the human or animal body; a new animal or plant variety.

- Corporate, Offshore and Commercial

Arguelles & Company LLC specializes in incorporation and annual maintenance/filings of Local (“LTD”) and International Business Companies.

* Local Companies “LLC’s”

These companies are ideal for local investment, landholding or normal business activity within Belize. They are referred to as “Local Companies”, “Chapter 250 (from the number of the actual legislation) or “LLC’s”. When properly structured, they can provide Asset Protection, Tax Minimization and Confidentiality. While these compared to an International Business Company (IBC-discussed below) vary with regard to which aspect one is dealing with, they can generally protect the investment form frivolous lawsuits against the owner or owner’s associated companies. Separate legal status/entity is a vital and recognized aspect of Belize law.

• International Business Companies (“IBC”) & Trusts

These are companies that are set up to take advantage of Belize’s emerging reputation as a well regulated and international financial structuring center. They can do business only with non-residents of Belize but can have an office (only) in Belize and access Belize Offshore banks to open and maintain USD, Euro, Canadian and Sterling accounts. Retirees who fall under the QRP Program also can qualify for this benefit while residing in Belize. IBC’s are 100% tax free and subject to no reporting or filing requirements. Meetings can be held worldwide and there are no exchange permissions required, of currency conversion requirements.

• Licenses & Permits

Arguelles & Company LLC has vast experience having procured all types of required licenses to conduct any general or specific activity in Belize. We offer services (Capital & Application fees, requirements and probability of success) on any of the following: Business Licenses (Trade License, General Sales Tax Registration, Business Tax Registration, Central Bank Permit for Foreign Ownership of a Belize Company, NGO Status Approval) and Specific Activity Licenses (Formation/Management of International Business Companies (IBC’s), Trust & Trustee Services, International Asset Protection & Management, Money Transmission; Payment Processing; Foreign Exchange Trading; Financial & Commodity-based Derivative Instruments & other securities - Futures, Options, ForEx, Stock Contracts for Differences, Money Brokering, Money Lending, Money Exchange, Safe Custody Services, Accounting Services).

- Ancillary Services

* Probate, Estate & Succession

Arguelles & Company LLC routinely attends to Succession matters related to parties who have died Intestate and for those leaving Wills. A process of Court application, Gazette and newspaper publications is required and vary depending on residence, location of property and beneficiaries.

* Notarizations/Certifications

The firm routinely and for individuals as well as other law firms in Belize, certifies and guarantees that certain documents are in order, original or true copies of their originals. Whether you require ancillary services for the opening of a bank account, foreign court evidence or certified extracts of local documents, the firm has a department dedicated solely to this ancillary but required area. Services offered include: Notarizations; Apostilles (pursuant to and for countries party to the Hague Convention); Legalizations (for all other countries other than above); Affidavits; Powers of Attorney.

* USD Escrow & Custodian Services

If you wish not to travel with large sums of cash, checks or for ease of international transfers, the firm provides various methods of facilitating any of your financial requirements. Escrow Accounts are available in the US, Europe and the Caribbean so that your money travels with you and is in fact at your point of destination before you arrive. These services are also available for any transaction you wish to undertake in Belize and abroad.

* Retire in Belize

The Government of Belize operates a program called the Qualified Retiree Program. Applicants (over 45) from the US, UK, Canada, Europe and Commonwealth Countries (and their spouses/dependents) meeting the minimal requirements are allowed to retire in Belize and import all of their household effects free of duties. Among other benefits, they are also allowed to import one vehicle, boat or aircraft duty free. They are considered “Non-Resident” as far as Belize International Banking is concerned and as such, these individuals can benefit from retiring in Belize (with no taxes on foreign income) at minimal cost while retaining their “foreign” status and operate hassle free tax free USD or Euro accounts as non-residents. As such, one can retire in Belize tax free and yet benefit from Belize’s international tax haven status. This program extends to Belizeans living abroad. Continuous residency in Belize is not mandatory.

* Fiscal Incentives Program - Government of Belize

The Government of Belize offers medium and large scale development concessions and tax holidays to select entities meeting certain criteria. Arguelles & Company LLC has expertise in making such applications with a high success rate, savings in time and desired results. Government fees vary on size of investment but additional duty exemptions are also proportional to such application fee. These have in the past included duty free importation of furniture and fixtures, vehicles, aircraft and boats (parts and engines), restaurant equipment, jet skis and any other feature of the specific business.

Affiliations

Lawyers

Mikhail Arguelles, BA, LLB, CLE Attorney Copyright, Intellectual Property, Licensing Law, Patents, Trademark

Emil M. Arguelles, LLB, CLE, TEP Attorney Administrative Law, Admiralty and Maritime, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Banking and Finance, Banking Law

More Information on Arguelles & Company LLC

Real Estate Law Firm in Belize City, Belize
Belize City, Belize Intellectual Property Lawyer
Corporate Law Firm in Belize City, Belize
Belize City, Belize Trademark Law Firm
Probate Lawyers in Belize City, Belize
Belize City, Belize Title Insurance Law Firm
Financing Law Firm in Belize City, Belize
Belize City, Belize International Business Companies Lawyer
Arguelles & Company LLC News and Publications
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