DECISION GUIDE · PANAMA

Knowing what comes next changes the decision.

A practical guide to identify the route, gather the right documents and separate professional fees, government charges and third-party costs before work begins.

10legal routes

04advisory processes

20.082026 verification

General information verified as of August 20, 2026. It is not a substitute for advice on your facts, does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not guarantee timing or results. Legal fees shown are official minimums; the final quote may be higher due to value, complexity, urgency or scope.

Minimum legal fee

The baseline under Agreement 609-A. It is not an all-in price and does not prevent a higher written fee agreement.

Government charge

A payment set by an institution. It may vary by category, value or activity.

Planning timeline

A planning range—not a statutory deadline or a commitment by an authority or third party.

Search a situation, document or institution

14 visible results

LEGAL

Legal routes

Selected preventive, transactional and non-contentious processes.

LEGAL 01 Company, foundation and operational setupChoose the right vehicle and take it from intent to an orderly registrable, tax and employment setup.

When it commonly applies

A corporation is commonly used to operate, contract, hold assets or admit investors; an LLC for a closed ownership group; a private-interest foundation for wealth, family governance and succession. A foundation is not normally a substitute for an operating company.

Expected work product

A purpose-fit structure with clear control and beneficiaries, formation documents and a map of post-formation registrations and obligations.

Typical route

01
Diagnostic
Activity, shareholders or beneficiaries, control, risks, participant countries, intended bank and sector permits.
02
Design and KYC
Charter, governance rules, capital, directors or council, officers, resident agent and ultimate beneficial owner.
03
Execution and filing
Notary and Public Registry, including corrections if observations are issued.
04
Operating layer
RUC/NIT, Notice of Operation where required, municipality, invoicing, bank and CSS/SIPE upon the first employment relationship.
05
Ongoing governance
Minutes, accounting, filings, annual tax, licenses, contracts and updates to corporate and beneficial-owner information.

Documents and information to get started

Identification, address and references for founders, directors, officers, council members, beneficiaries and signatories.
Proposed activity and name, capital, ownership, signing rules and reserved decisions.
Source of funds, tax and banking profile, countries involved and ultimate-beneficial-owner structure.
Business address, location sketch, façade, contracts and sector permits if commercially active.

Institutions and participants

Public Registry
Notary
DGI / e-Tax
Panamá Emprende
Municipality of Panama
CSS / SIPE
Bank and sector regulator where applicable

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 3–7 business days for design and documents after complete KYC.
Client time and decisions: 2–10 days for decisions, KYC and signatures; longer when participants are abroad.
Institutions or third parties: Panamá Digital publishes 1–2 weeks for formation depending on workload; this is official guidance, not a guarantee. Notary work may add time. DGI publishes approximately 2–6 business days for RUC approval.
Overall planning range: 2–6 weeks for entity and basic tax setup. Banking, licenses and permits can extend the schedule.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Corporation formation	B/.500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.3.3
Private-interest foundation formation	B/.500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.3.4
LLC formation	B/.1,000 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.3.1
Separate bylaws, if required by scope	B/.1,000 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.4
Corporate resolution	B/.250 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.5
Resident agent, if engagement is accepted	B/.250 minimum per year	Tariff 609-A §6.10
Notice of Operation for a legal entity	B/.55 total; B/.5 of that amount is allocated to the municipality	Government charge; sector licenses, if applicable, are separate
RUC/NIT registration	No charge	DGI online process
Entity tax	Corporation B/.300 at filing and annually · foundation B/.350 initial and B/.400 annually	DGI tax; confirm period and due date
Registry rights for a B/.10,000 base structure	Approximately B/.60 under published tariff	Estimate; confirm current assessment/calculator
Notary, Registry, bank, licenses, accounting and certificates	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

Can a foundation invoice like a company?

It should not be selected automatically as a substitute for an operating business. Its purpose, activity and tax treatment must be reviewed before it is used commercially.

Does the Notice of Operation complete every registration?

Do not assume it does. RUC/NIT, municipality, tax obligations, invoicing, CSS/SIPE, sector permits and banking should each be verified.

Can the bank account open in parallel?

The file may be prepared in parallel, but each bank performs its own diligence and may require additional structure, contracts, business evidence, profiles and source-of-funds support.

Official sources

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LEGAL 02 Contracts and commercial operationsTranslate the real operation into clear obligations, control points and a workable exit.

When it commonly applies

Customers, vendors, partners, shareholders or landlords who need to document price, scope, data, intellectual property, service levels, liability, termination and dispute paths.

Expected work product

A contract or review with a risk matrix, negotiation positions, internal owners and a calendar of milestones, renewals and notices.

Typical route

01
Facts and objective
Understand how the operation works, which decision each party must make and what cannot fail.
02
Risk map
Obligations, payments, dependencies, data, ownership, third parties, breach and exit.
03
Document or redline
Operational drafting, schedules, change matrix and negotiation alternatives.
04
Closing
Versions, signing authority, conditions precedent, evidence and final repository.
05
Governance
Critical dates, SLAs, acceptance, invoicing, renewals, notices and internal owners.

Documents and information to get started

Draft and schedules
Proposal or purchase order
Operating flow and owners
Prices, milestones and SLAs
Data, security and insurance policies
Prior agreements and relevant communications

Institutions and participants

Authorized representatives
Finance
Operations
Technology and security
Procurement
Insurers, notary or Registry where applicable

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 3–7 business days for a defined document; 1–3 weeks when schedules, a matrix and multiple rounds are required.
Client time and decisions: 1–5 days per round for decisions and validation of operations, price and risk.
Institutions or third parties: Negotiation commonly extends the process to 2–6 weeks; notary or Registry work adds its own schedule.
Overall planning range: A simple contract may close in 1–2 weeks; a negotiated or multi-service transaction in 3–8+ weeks.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Verbal commercial consultation	B/.100 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.2.1
Written commercial consultation or opinion	B/.250 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.2.2
Extensive commercial matter	B/.500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.2.3
Commercial hourly rate	B/.150 minimum per hour	Tariff 609-A §6.1
Contract valued up to B/.30,000.99	B/.300 minimum	Tariff 609-A §2.1.1
Contract valued B/.30,001–B/.2,000,000.99	1% under the progressive table in §2.1; calculated per transaction	Tariff 609-A §2.1.2
Contract from B/.2,000,001.00	By written agreement	Tariff 609-A §2.1.3
Complexity, novelty or difficulty	B/.150 minimum per hour	Alternative under §2.1
Notary, Registry, translation and experts	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

Can I request only a redline?

Yes, when the objective and commercial position are clear. Missing schedules, prices, SLAs or operating flows must first be turned into decisions.

Does review guarantee there will be no dispute?

No. It reduces ambiguity and exposes risk; performance also depends on operations, evidence, party conduct and later changes.

Are unlimited rounds included?

No. The proposal states the number of versions, meetings, schedules and negotiation rounds. Scope changes are agreed before execution.

Official sources

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LEGAL 03 Residence and work permits for professionals and familiesCoordinate two distinct routes—immigration and labor—based on nationality, profession, employer, investment and dependants.

When it commonly applies

Latin American professionals, executives—including personnel of a licensed SEM company—specialists, investors, spouses and children who plan to reside and, where applicable, work lawfully in Panama.

Expected work product

A preliminary eligibility matrix, primary and alternative routes, and a document checklist for independent immigration counsel. Filing, registration, follow-up, corrections and representation before Immigration or MITRADEL are excluded.

Typical route

01
Eligibility
Nationality, current status, restricted or regulated profession, employer, 10%/15% quota, investment, income and dependants.
02
Home-country documents
Passport, police record, birth and marriage records; apostille or legalization and official Spanish translation where required.
03
Local file
Health certificate, powers, photos, forms, employment or financial evidence, checks and employer records.
04
External immigration phase
Filing, registration, card, observations and decision are handled by independent immigration counsel.
05
Labor diagnostic
Identify the applicable permit; filing and follow-up before MITRADEL are outside the engagement. Residence and work authorization are not interchangeable.
06
Family and continuity
Dependants, school, renewals, status changes and expiry calendar.

Documents and information to get started

Valid passport and full copy
Applicable home-country police record
Birth and marriage certificates
Apostilles/legalizations and official translations
Panama-issued health certificate
Contract, employment letter, CSS record or investment/solvency evidence
Employer and dependant records

Institutions and participants

National Immigration Service
MITRADEL
Civil Registry and home-country authorities
Certified translator
CSS
Employer
Professional board or university for regulated professions

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 2–6 weeks for diagnostic and file preparation once the category and employer or investment are defined.
Client time and decisions: 2–8 weeks to obtain, apostille and translate documents; some expire after 3 or 6 months.
Institutions or third parties: 2–8+ month planning range across Immigration and MITRADEL. No universal SLA exists; qualified-investor files have a statutory 30-business-day maximum when complete.
Overall planning range: 3–10+ months for the coordinated route. Do not purchase tickets, resign or begin work based only on this range.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Residence as a foreign professional	B/.1,500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §4.2.1.2.4.3
Residence under a 10% employment contract	B/.1,500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §4.2.1.2.5.1
Residence as expert or technician under 15%	B/.1,500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §4.2.1.2.5.2
National of a specific country	B/.2,500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §4.2.1.2.4.2
Married to a Panamanian national	B/.1,000 minimum	Tariff 609-A §4.2.1.2.3.1
Dependant of a permanent resident	B/.1,500 minimum per file	Tariff 609-A §4.2.1.2.3.2
Obtaining or extending a work permit	B/.400 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.2
Common public payments: professional, 10%, 15%, specific country or dependant	B/.250 Treasury + B/.800 Immigration, by category	File payments/deposits; confirm current checklist
MITRADEL card: 10%, 15% or special condition type 6	B/.80	Current government charge by category
MITRADEL card: spouse of Panamanian national	B/.50	Government charge, type 1B
MITRADEL card: investment or economic policy type 4	B/.250	Government charge by category
Specific-country investment basis	B/.200,000 real estate or deposit, or eligible employment link	Threshold/requirement; not a fee
Qualified investor	B/.300,000 real estate · B/.500,000 securities · B/.750,000 deposit	Current minimum investment; legal fee by analogous scope
Qualified-investor principal public payments	B/.5,000 Treasury + B/.5,000 repatriation deposit	Government payment + deposit; each dependant B/.1,000 + B/.1,000
Permanent SEM personnel	B/.1,500 minimum	Visa authorizes work for SEM company; no separate work permit
Immigration checks, translations, apostilles, notary, certificates and travel	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

Does residence automatically authorize work?

Not in every case. The applicable work permit and whether work is employed or self-employed must be confirmed.

Can any degree qualify for the professional route?

No. The profession, constitutional or statutory restrictions, academic documents and available immigration/labor category must be reviewed.

Are spouse and children included?

Not automatically. Each dependant requires a route based on documents, charges, age, financial dependence and a separate work authorization where applicable.

What changes for a SEM executive or investor?

SEM requires a licensed company and the executive’s visa authorizes work only for it. The qualified-investor route is direct and tied to investment and source of funds; working requires a separate authorization review.

Official sources

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LEGAL 04 Hiring a domestic workerDocument the relationship, register employer and worker, and coordinate labor migration where the worker is foreign.

When it commonly applies

Households that hire regularly and continuously for cleaning, assistance or other domestic services, whether live-in or live-out.

Expected work product

Written contract, identity and status file, CSS/SIPE registration, payment and working-time records, and an immigration/labor route where applicable.

Typical route

01
Define the relationship
Duties, place, schedule, rest, salary, in-kind items, accommodation, keys, confidentiality and start date.
02
Verify identity and status
ID or passport/card; for a foreign worker, the applicable special domestic-worker visa. MITRADEL states that this visa replaces a separate work permit.
03
Contract and registration
Written contract with required content and MITRADEL registration; if recruited abroad, the stamped contract required for the case.
04
CSS/SIPE
Employer registration, worker enrollment and payroll/contribution calendar. CSS requires enrollment within the first six business days.
05
Ongoing file
Attendance, receipts, vacation, thirteenth-month pay, benefits, incidents, changes and documented termination.

Documents and information to get started

IDs or passport and immigration card for both parties
Contract and duties
CSS domestic-employer form and SIPE signature
Address, sketch and utility bill or lease
Immigration/work permit for a foreign worker
Pay, attendance, vacation and thirteenth-month records
Key, equipment and accommodation inventory where applicable

Institutions and participants

MITRADEL
CSS / SIPE
National Immigration Service for foreign workers
Home-country authorities and certified translator where applicable

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 3–10 business days for contract and complete local file.
Client time and decisions: 1–5 days to define terms, sign and collect identity/address records.
Institutions or third parties: CSS processes a complete file; enrollment must be filed within the first 6 business days. A foreign-worker route may take 3–8+ months.
Overall planning range: 1–3 weeks to order a local relationship; several months where a foreign worker requires approval of the domestic-worker visa.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Consultation for employer	B/.250 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.4.2
Employment contract	B/.200 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.7
Domestic-worker visa	B/.800 minimum	Tariff 609-A §4.2.1.1.6
Employer immigration guarantee	B/.500 per worker	Government deposit; not a fee
Immigration service / extension	B/.100 initial · B/.50 extension	Government payment under checklist
MITRADEL contract registration	No published filing charge	Institutional process
CSS employer registration / worker enrollment	No published application charge	Monthly contributions apply
Minimum wage in Panama district	B/.350 per month	Official MITRADEL lookup, current August 20, 2026
Employer CSS contribution on salary	13.25% through February 28, 2027	Excludes occupational risk and other obligations
Card, Immigration, translations, apostilles and notary	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

Is an affidavit enough if there is no contract?

CSS contemplates an affidavit for its process, but a written contract reduces ambiguity and documents duties, hours, salary, accommodation, rest and termination.

Must a foreign domestic worker be registered?

Yes, where an employment relationship exists and the category applies. CSS and the domestic-worker visa must be checked; MITRADEL has stated that this special regime replaces a separate work permit.

Which records should be kept?

Contract, attendance, receipts, vacation, thirteenth-month pay, benefits, salary changes, keys/equipment, incidents and termination documentation.

Official sources

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LEGAL 05 Divorce and family agreementsSeparate termination of the marriage from decisions on children, support, visitation and property.

When it commonly applies

Spouses seeking an orderly dissolution who can build agreements, or an early assessment where consensus has not yet been reached.

Expected work product

A matter map, preventive settlement draft and document checklist for independent family counsel. No petition, ratification, hearing, court follow-through, judgment or registration is included.

Typical route

01
Family map
Marriage, separation, children, needs, home, assets, debts, companies, prior measures and safety.
02
Agreements
Custody/upbringing, visitation, support, education, health, travel, communication and marital property.
03
Document preparation
Certificates, settlement draft and decision list for the independent family counsel who files the petition.
04
External court phase
Ratification and any hearing or appearance are handled by independent family counsel; this guide retains only the statutory planning window.
05
External closing
Judgment, finality, Civil Registry entry and transfers are handled by the client and independent family counsel.

Documents and information to get started

IDs/passports
Marriage certificate
Children’s birth certificates
Party addresses
Custody, visitation and support proposal
Inventory of assets, debts and companies
Income and children’s expenses
Prenuptial or prior agreements

Institutions and participants

Family Court
Civil Registry / Electoral Tribunal
Notary
Public Registry and banks where property exists
Support specialists when children’s interests require them

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 1–3 weeks for diagnostic, agreement and petition when information and consensus exist.
Client time and decisions: 1–6+ weeks for decisions on children and property; lack of consensus changes the route.
Institutions or third parties: Statutory ratification: after 2 months and before 6 from filing. Judgment, finality and registration depend on the court.
Overall planning range: 3–8+ months for a complete mutual-consent process. A contested matter may exceed 8–24 months and requires separate acceptance.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Divorce or annulment	B/.500–B/.2,000 minimum or agreement by case	Tariff 609-A §7.8.1.1
Custody, upbringing and education	B/.1,000 minimum	Tariff 609-A §7.8.1.2
Visitation rules	B/.500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §7.8.1.3
Dissolution and liquidation of marital property regime	B/.500 + 10% of net assets allocated	Tariff 609-A §7.8.1.12
Divorce registration	B/.35	Civil Registry charge
Certificates, notary, Registry, experts and transfers	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

Can we divorce without resolving property?

The marital-property regime and practical effect of separating proceedings should be assessed. Delaying liquidation may preserve risk, cost and dependencies between the parties.

Do children prevent mutual consent?

No, but custody/upbringing, visitation, support, education, health and key decisions must be clearly structured in the child’s best interests.

What if one spouse no longer agrees?

Strategy and scope change. Grounds, evidence, measures and contentious representation must be reassessed before continuing.

Official sources

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LEGAL 06 Intestate successionIdentify heirs, inventory the estate and obtain adjudication when no applicable valid will exists.

When it commonly applies

Families of a deceased person who left property, accounts, shares, rights or debts without a will, or where the existence of a will must be confirmed.

Expected work product

A succession diagnostic, kinship and estate map, preliminary inventory and document checklist for independent counsel. It excludes the court petition, appearances, declaration, adjudication and Registry work.

Typical route

01
Opening and jurisdiction
Last domicile, date of death, value, possible heirs, wills and prior proceedings.
02
Core evidence
Death record, notarial certification that no will exists and full evidence of kinship.
03
Inventory
Real estate, banks, companies, vehicles, insurance, receivables, debts, foreign property and marital assets.
04
External court phase
Petition, assignment, notices, appearances, judicial inventory and decision are handled by independent counsel.
05
External implementation
Registries, banks, cancellations, taxes and delivery are handled by the client and independent counsel.

Documents and information to get started

Death certificate
Birth and marriage records proving kinship
Notarial no-will certificate
IDs/passports and addresses of interested persons
Titles and company/property certificates
Bank, insurance, vehicle, receivable and debt records
Prenuptial agreements and marital-property evidence where applicable

Institutions and participants

Judiciary / Central Filing Office
Civil Registry
Notaries at the deceased’s domicile
Public Registry
DGI
Banks, insurers and companies
Experts or accountants where needed

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 2–6 weeks for kinship, asset search and initial file where the family cooperates.
Client time and decisions: 2–12+ weeks to locate documents, heirs, assets and debts.
Institutions or third parties: The new Civil Procedure Code has applied fully since October 11, 2025. No general SLA exists; an institutional 33-business-day case was expressly unusual and is not a reliable promise.
Overall planning range: 3–12+ months as a prudent range for a complete non-contentious succession; foreign assets, absent heirs or disputes can exceed it.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Testamentary or intestate succession up to B/.50,000.99	15% of assets	Tariff 609-A §7.3.1
Succession from B/.50,001	10% of net assets corresponding to the client	Tariff 609-A §7.3.2
Liabilities equal to or above half of assets	Proportional increase of 25%–50%	Special tariff rule
Ancillary proceedings or disputes	Quoted separately	Excluded from basic succession tariff
Certificates, notices, publications, appraisals, notary, Registry and taxes	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

Who inherits first?

It depends on family links, survivors, marital-property regime and applicable law. Kinship must be proven; administration or care of an asset alone does not decide heirship.

Can real estate be sold before completion?

Ownership, authority, permission and procedural stage must be evaluated. A premature promise or sale may be unenforceable or unregistrable.

What if a will appears?

The route may change to testamentary succession and the intestate case may be stayed. The document must be authenticated and assessed.

Official sources

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LEGAL 07 Real-estate purchase and saleAlign diligence, financing, taxes, closing and registration so the buyer receives the bargain and the seller is paid against a registrable transfer.

When it commonly applies

Buyers and sellers of apartments, homes, land or commercial units, in cash or financed, including mortgaged or condominium property.

Expected work product

Closing structure, title study, promise or sale agreement, conditions matrix, deed/minute and filing package as scoped.

Typical route

01
Terms and capacity
Price, deposit, financing, owner, powers, occupancy, broker, included assets and target date.
02
Diligence
Property record, liens, marginal notes, condominium, use, tenants, clearances, seller authority and bank release.
03
Contract
Promise/sale, conditions precedent, cost allocation, remedies, delivery, holdbacks and closing documents.
04
Taxes and closing
Seller prepares F106/F107 and payments; bank, notary, deed/minute, checks and mortgage cancellation.
05
Registration and handover
Public Registry filing, observations, registration, payment/handover, keys, condominium, utilities and final file.

Documents and information to get started

IDs/passports and marital status
Current property certificate and acquisition deed
Property, water and condominium clearances
Promise/agreement and deposit receipts
F106/F107 and receipts
Bank payoff/cancellation letter
Resolutions and certificate for entity parties
Inventory, leases, appraisal and loan approval

Institutions and participants

Public Registry
DGI
Notary
Bank and insurer
Condominium / administrator
IDAAN
Municipality/ANATI as applicable
Broker, appraiser or surveyor where needed

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 1–3 weeks for study, contract and matrix when certificates and terms are available.
Client time and decisions: 3–15 days for decisions, signatures, funds, bank approval and document corrections.
Institutions or third parties: DGI recommends review time; Registry publishes 3 days for registration, provided the instrument qualifies. Bank, notary and cancellation add time.
Overall planning range: 4–8 weeks for cash and 8–14+ weeks with financing or mortgage cancellation, as planning ranges.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Contract/minute up to B/.30,000.99	B/.300 minimum	Tariff 609-A §2.1.1
Contract/minute B/.30,001–B/.2,000,000.99	1% under the progressive table in §2.1; calculated per transaction	Tariff 609-A §2.1.2
Contract/minute from B/.2,000,001.00	By written agreement	Tariff 609-A §2.1.3
Title study up to B/.10,000	B/.150 minimum	Tariff 609-A §3.1
Study B/.10,001–25,000	Agreed fee above B/.350 and not exceeding 2%; requires an individual quote	Tariff 609-A §3.2
Study B/.25,001–50,000	Agreed fee above B/.450 and not exceeding 1.5%; requires an individual quote	Tariff 609-A §3.3
Study B/.50,001–100,000	Agreed fee above B/.750 and not exceeding 1%; requires an individual quote	Tariff 609-A §3.4
Study B/.100,001–250,000	Agreed fee above B/.1,000 and not exceeding 0.85%; requires an individual quote	Tariff 609-A §3.5
Study B/.250,001–1,000,000	Agreed fee above B/.1,000 and not exceeding 0.75%; requires an individual quote	Tariff 609-A §3.6
Mortgage or other security cancellation	B/.300 minimum	Tariff 609-A, §2.1 proviso
Seller’s transfer tax	2% on the applicable statutory base	F106 tax; individual calculation required
Non-ordinary capital gain	3% advance; settlement subject to 10% of gain rule	F107 tax; not always the final cost
Sale registration rights, per property	B/.10 qualification + B/.3 per B/.1,000 or fraction of applicable value	Published tariff; confirm current assessment
Notary, certificates, appraisal, bank, broker, condominium and experts	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

What should the buyer check first?

Ownership and authority, liens, clearances, condominium, occupancy/tenants, use, litigation, bank release, included assets and deposit conditions.

Does the seller always lose the 3%?

Not necessarily. It is an advance for non-ordinary sales and settlement depends on taxable gain; a final-payment option or credit/refund may be available by case.

When is money released?

The contract must coordinate payments, checks, bank, deed, filing, registration, lien release and handover. There is no single safe answer.

Official sources

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LEGAL 08 Residential and commercial leasesDocument use, rent, deposit, maintenance, exit and registration before handing over possession or investing in fit-out.

When it commonly applies

Owners, tenants and businesses negotiating a home, office, retail unit, or professional, industrial or educational use.

Expected work product

Lease with operating schedules, inventory/condition report, deposit filing and MIVIOT registration package.

Typical route

01
Diligence
Owner, property, mortgage/consent, permitted use, condominium, licenses and party capacity.
02
Terms
Term, rent, increases, deposit, security, fit-out, maintenance, utilities, insurance, sublease and termination.
03
Documents
Lease, schedules, inventory/photos, handover report, condominium rules and signing authority.
04
Registration
Type A/B residential or C commercial form, originals, certificates, residential stamps and one-month deposit.
05
Administration
Receipts, inspections, renewals, notices, repairs, arrears, deposit return/setoff and final handover.

Documents and information to get started

Identity and authority
Property certificate not older than 6 months
Company certificate not older than 6 months where applicable
Lender consent for mortgaged property
Occupancy permit for new property
Inventory/photos and condominium rules
Licenses and permitted use for business
Security, insurance and fit-out drawings

Institutions and participants

MIVIOT / Leases Directorate
National Bank for deposit
Public Registry
Notary
Mortgage lender
Condominium / administrator
Municipality and sector authority for commercial use

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 3–10 business days for a defined lease and schedules.
Client time and decisions: 2–10 days for terms, security, signatures and inventory.
Institutions or third parties: MIVIOT publishes no general numeric SLA. Certificates, lender consent and licenses can extend registration.
Overall planning range: 1–3 weeks for a standard lease; 3–8+ weeks for fit-out, security or commercial negotiation.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Contract with total rent up to B/.30,000.99	B/.300 minimum	Tariff 609-A §2.1.1
Contract with total rent B/.30,001–B/.2,000,000.99	1% under the progressive table in §2.1; calculated per transaction	Tariff 609-A §2.1.2
Contract from a B/.2,000,001.00 base	By written agreement	Tariff 609-A §2.1.3
Fixed-term contract base	Total rent over the term	Special lease-tariff rule
Indefinite contract base	24 months of rent	Special lease-tariff rule
MIVIOT security deposit	One month’s rent	Recoverable deposit; not a fee or tax
Stamps for residential type A/B	0.001 × total term rent	Formula illustrated by MIVIOT; confirm at payment
Type C commercial registration	No stamps according to portal	Other costs and licenses may apply
Certificates, notary, copies, bank, insurance and licenses	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

Who holds the deposit?

The formal route files one month with the Leases Directorate. Return or setoff is processed based on termination, arrears or damage.

How is the fee calculated for an indefinite lease?

The tariff uses twenty-four months of rent. A fixed term uses total rent over the term.

Is a commercial lease registered?

Yes. MIVIOT publishes type C for commercial, industrial, professional or educational use. Use, licenses, condominium and fit-out must also be checked.

Official sources

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LEGAL 09 Privacy and minimum data controlsMove from a generic policy to a demonstrable system that knows what data exists, why it is used, who can access it and how requests are answered.

When it commonly applies

Retail, e-commerce, clinics, schools/academies, gyms, salons, condominiums, restaurants and professional firms handling customers, employees, CCTV, marketing, health or minors.

Expected work product

Data inventory, legal bases, notices, vendor contracts, access/retention controls, ARCO request process and incident response.

Typical route

01
Inventory
Databases, systems, forms, CCTV, WhatsApp, files, vendors, data subjects, purpose, location and transfers.
02
Lawfulness and transparency
Legal basis or traceable consent, channel-specific notice, minimization and compatible use.
03
Controls
Role-based access, confidentiality, proportional security, backup, retention, deletion and vendors.
04
Rights
Channel, identity, log and ARCO response: access/cancellation/portability in 10 business days; correction in 5; objection immediately subject to exceptions.
05
Incidents and evidence
Log, containment, assessment and notice to ANTAI/affected persons within 72 hours when risk exists; training and reviews.

Documents and information to get started

Inventory/map and record per database
Purpose and legal-basis matrix
Channel-specific privacy notices
Consent records
ARCO procedure and log
Processor/vendor contracts
Access and confidentiality matrix
Retention/deletion schedule
Incident plan and log
Training evidence

Institutions and participants

Data controller
Processors and vendors
Technology/security
Marketing, HR and operations
ANTAI
Sector regulator where applicable
Data subjects

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 1–2 weeks for diagnostic; 2–6 weeks for a small-business minimum package with identified flows.
Client time and decisions: 1–4 weeks to inventory systems, vendors, forms and retention/access decisions.
Institutions or third parties: Vendor contracts, system changes and sector reviews may add 2–12+ weeks.
Overall planning range: 4–8 weeks for a defensible first cycle; compliance is ongoing, not a one-time project.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Verbal commercial consultation	B/.100 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.2.1
Written commercial opinion	B/.250 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.2.2
Extensive matter	B/.500 minimum	Tariff 609-A §6.2.3
Commercial hourly work	B/.150 minimum per hour	Tariff 609-A §6.1
Document and implementation package	Fixed price after diagnostic	Never below applicable tariff
Technology, technical cybersecurity, audit and vendors	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum for e-commerce?

Inventory customer/order/payment/delivery/marketing data, notices, legal basis, preferences, platform/logistics contracts, retention, ARCO, access and incidents.

What about a clinic or academy?

Beyond the minimum, treat health or children’s data as high risk, limit access, and document responsibilities, images/communications, retention and vendors.

Can I use a contact list for marketing?

Only after documenting source, purpose, legal basis or consent, notice to the person, opt-out/objection and evidence. Possessing a number does not authorize every use.

Official sources

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LEGAL 10 Individual employment consultation and preventive documentsRead the real relationship, calculate scenarios and document a decision before resigning, hiring, disciplining or terminating.

When it commonly applies

Workers and employers who need to understand contract, salary, vacation, thirteenth-month pay, benefits, changes, discipline or termination without commencing litigation.

Expected work product

Chronology, rights/obligations matrix, reviewed calculation, options and a preventive document where appropriate.

Typical route

01
Facts and evidence
Actual contract, role, subordination, salary, deductions, hours, vacation, changes and communications.
02
Calculation
Salary, vacation, thirteenth-month pay, seniority premium, severance and other items by route and date.
03
Options
Continuation, correction, letter, negotiation, mutual agreement, resignation or termination with risk and evidence.
04
Document
Contract, amendment, letter, calculation, agreement or step list; coordinated signature and payments.
05
Closing
Receipts, internal clearance, return of assets, confidentiality, system access and final file.

Documents and information to get started

Contract and amendments
Pay slips, CSS record and receipts
Vacation and thirteenth-month records
Job description and reviews
Rules and policies
Letters, emails, chats and measures
Calculations and exit proposal
Restrictions, confidentiality and intellectual property

Institutions and participants

Worker and employer
HR / payroll
CSS / SIPE
MITRADEL where a filing exists
Accountant or expert where calculations require it

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 2–5 business days for a defined consultation/calculation; 3–10 for a document and review.
Client time and decisions: 1–5 days to collect contract, payments and chronology.
Institutions or third parties: Negotiation and filings may add 1–4+ weeks; MITRADEL and CSS maintain their own timelines.
Overall planning range: A preventive consultation is commonly resolved within a week; a negotiated exit in 2–6+ weeks.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Verbal consultation for worker	B/.100 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.4.1
Verbal consultation for employer	B/.250 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.4.2
Written opinion for worker	B/.100 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.5.1
Written opinion for employer	B/.250 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.5.2
Calculation review for worker	B/.100 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.6.1
Calculation review for employer	B/.250 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.6.2
Employment contract	B/.200 minimum	Tariff 609-A §5.7
Ongoing employer advice	B/.300 minimum per month	Tariff 609-A §5.15
CPA, experts, certificates and filings	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

Is the employer’s calculation final?

Not necessarily. Salary basis, seniority, cause, vacation, thirteenth-month pay, prior payments, deductions and document language are reviewed.

Should I accept a mutual agreement?

It depends on economic and legal comparison with alternatives, restrictions, payment mechanics, confidentiality and evidentiary risk.

Does a consultation include a letter?

Not automatically. Consultation, written opinion, calculation and document are distinct tariff items and scopes.

Official sources

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ADVISORY

Transformation and growth

Executive processes that turn complex priorities into decisions, pilots and measurable outcomes.

ADVISORY 01 Management ConsultingTurn a management concern into a verifiable diagnostic, prioritized decisions and an execution system.

When it commonly applies

Leadership teams facing stalled growth, opaque cost, fragmented processes, slow decisions, unclear ownership or initiatives that fail to capture benefits.

Expected work product

Baseline, diagnostic, business case, decisions, roadmap, owners, metrics and review cadence.

Typical route

01
Mandate
Decision, sponsor, scope, hypotheses, constraints and success criteria.
02
Baseline
Data, interviews, processes, economics, customers, capacity and root causes—separating facts from perceptions.
03
Options
Alternatives with value, cost, risk, dependencies and reversibility.
04
Design
Operating model, governance decisions, roadmap, quick wins, budget and metrics.
05
Execution
Light PMO, weekly decisions, unblockers, benefits, adoption and transfer to the team.

Documents and information to get started

Executive question and sponsor
Financial and operating data
Process and organization map
Prior initiatives
Regulatory/technology constraints
Interviews and customer evidence

Institutions and participants

Executive sponsor
Steering committee
Finance
Operations
Commercial/customer
People
Technology and legal/compliance as relevant

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 1–2 weeks for mandate and baseline; 3–8 weeks for diagnostic and design.
Client time and decisions: 3–6 hours weekly from sponsor/core team plus timely data and decisions.
Institutions or third parties: Vendors, surveys, experts or validation may add 1–6+ weeks.
Overall planning range: 4–10 weeks to roadmap; 3–12+ months for implementation depending on scale.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Executive work by the hour	US$300 per hour	Commercial reference; not a legal tariff
Defined diagnostic or phase	Fixed scope price	Objective, deliverables, data and decisions agreed
Implementation / transformation office	Phased project or retainer	Governance, capacity and cadence defined
Travel, paid research, surveys, experts and software	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

What does management receive?

A supported point of view, options, recommendation, business case, roadmap, owners, metrics and a follow-through mechanism—not just a presentation.

Can we start with a few hours?

Yes. A short phase can define the question, validate available data and decide whether a project has enough value.

Who implements?

It depends on capacity: client team, vendors or execution support. The proposal separates recommendation, management and third-party work.

Service basis

Proprietary executive methodology. The displayed price is a commercial reference and is not part of the legal tariff.

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ADVISORY 02 Digital TransformationConnect technology, data, processes and adoption to a business case and an executable sequence.

When it commonly applies

Organizations with manual work, fragmented systems, data that does not drive decisions, inconsistent experience or technology investments without demonstrated benefits.

Expected work product

Capability and process map, prioritized portfolio, business case, decision architecture, pilot, scale roadmap, metrics and governance.

Typical route

01
Value and current state
Business problem, journeys, processes, data, systems, cost, friction and change capacity.
02
Portfolio
Use cases valued by impact, feasibility, risk, dependency and time to evidence.
03
Design
Future process, data, roles, controls, integration, security, vendor and business case.
04
Pilot
Hypothesis, limited scope, baseline, scale/adjust/stop criteria and rapid learning.
05
Scale
Adoption, rollout, governance, benefits, debt, continuity and operational handover.

Documents and information to get started

Objectives and baseline
Process/system/data inventory
Cost and volumes
Incidents and risks
Contracts and licenses
Current architecture and security
Team and vendor capacity

Institutions and participants

Business sponsor
Operations and customers
Technology
Data/analytics
Security
Finance
People/change
Procurement, vendors and compliance

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 2–4 weeks for assessment and 4–10 for portfolio, business case and pilot design.
Client time and decisions: Business/technology core team 4–8 hours weekly; sponsor decisions every two weeks.
Institutions or third parties: RFP, contracting, integration, licenses and security may add 4–20+ weeks.
Overall planning range: 6–12 weeks to designed pilot; 8–16 weeks for initial evidence; 6–24+ months to scale.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Advice by the hour	US$300 per hour	Commercial reference; not a legal tariff
Assessment, roadmap or pilot design	Fixed price by phase	Scope and data sources defined
Implementation governance	Phased project or retainer	Cadence, decisions and capacity agreed
Software, cloud, integrators, licenses, testing and cybersecurity	Variable	Contracted/quoted separately

Frequently asked questions

Must current systems be replaced?

Not necessarily. Value, friction, integration and debt come first; some gains result from process, data, configuration or adoption.

How do we avoid an endless pilot?

Set baseline, owner, budget, date and explicit scale/adjust/stop criteria before starting.

What measures impact?

Time, cost, errors, conversion, satisfaction, risk, adoption and financial benefits, with named owners and data sources.

Service basis

Proprietary executive methodology. The displayed price is a commercial reference and is not part of the legal tariff.

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ADVISORY 03 Project structuringDesign commercial, financial, legal and governance architecture before committing capital, contracting or partnering.

When it commonly applies

New projects, alliances, platforms, infrastructure, complex services or investments that require validation of feasibility, responsibilities, risk and approval.

Expected work product

Project charter, alternatives, business case, financial model, contractual structure, risk map, procurement plan, governance and investment decision.

Typical route

01
Mandate and scope
Need, users, sponsor, deliverable, interfaces, constraints and investment decision.
02
Feasibility
Demand, technical alternatives, regulation, operations, cost, revenue/benefits and risks.
03
Structure
Commercial model, roles, ownership, financing, contracts, incentives, security and risk allocation.
04
Approval and procurement
Business case, scenarios, stage gate, RFP/negotiation, diligence and conditions precedent.
05
Execution governance
RACI, plan, milestones, budget, change, risk, reporting, acceptance and benefits.

Documents and information to get started

Charter and requirements
Studies/estimates
Financial model and assumptions
Regulatory and permit map
Commercial and contract strategy
Risk and insurance
Buy/partner criteria
Governance and delivery capacity

Institutions and participants

Sponsor and investment committee
Finance
Legal and compliance
Procurement
Operations
Technology/engineering
Partners and vendors
Lenders, insurers and regulators

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 2–4 weeks for charter and alternatives; 6–12 for business case and decision structure.
Client time and decisions: Weekly workshops, data, technical/commercial validation and stage-gate decisions.
Institutions or third parties: Studies, diligence, permits, banking, RFP and negotiation may add 1–6+ months.
Overall planning range: 8–16 weeks to a structured decision; procurement and closing may take 3–12+ months.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Structuring by the hour	US$300 per hour	Commercial reference; not a legal tariff
Pre-feasibility or business case	Fixed price by phase	Assumptions, scenarios and deliverables defined
Structure and procurement support	Phased project	Number of alternatives, bidders and negotiations defined
Specialist counsel, engineering, modelling, experts, banks and permits	Variable	Third parties and legal services separate

Frequently asked questions

What makes a project financeable?

Credible demand and cash flow, permits, risk structure, contracts, sponsor, capital, security, governance and sufficient decision evidence.

Is a financial model included?

It may be, with agreed assumptions and scenarios. Audit, independent valuation, tax opinion or specialist modelling are separately identified.

When should the project stop?

Each phase has information, economic, risk and capacity criteria. Failure leads to adjustment, deferral or closure before more resources are committed.

Service basis

Proprietary executive methodology. The displayed price is a commercial reference and is not part of the legal tariff.

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ADVISORY 04 Strategic Development & Business InnovationIdentify and execute initiatives beyond the traditional portfolio with measurable impact, speed and financial discipline.

When it commonly applies

Organizations seeking new models, platforms, revenue, efficiency or alliances that need to turn scattered ideas into a governed portfolio.

Expected work product

Opportunity thesis, prioritized portfolio, business model, unit economics, pilot, alliances, metrics and scale/adjust/stop decisions.

Typical route

01
Horizon
Trends, regulatory/technology shifts, differentiated assets, customer problems and spaces for advantage.
02
Thesis and portfolio
Opportunities compared by value, evidence, right to win, investment, risk and time.
03
Model
Customer, proposition, channels, revenue, cost, capabilities, partners, data and defensibility.
04
Rapid pilot
Critical hypothesis, MVP, limited budget, evidence, guardrails and dated decision.
05
Disciplined scale
Alliances, go-to-market, capital, operating model, governance, metrics and accountability.

Documents and information to get started

Strategic ambition and constraints
Current portfolio and capabilities
Customer/market data
Economics and budget
Trends and regulation
Assets, IP and channels
Potential partners and investment criteria

Institutions and participants

CEO/sponsor
Strategy and new business
Finance
Commercial/customer
Operations and technology
Legal/compliance
Partners, startups, vendors and investors

Planning timeline

Professional preparation: 2–4 weeks for map and thesis; 4–10 for model and pilot design.
Client time and decisions: Sponsor every two weeks and core team 4–8 hours weekly for data, decisions and customer/partner access.
Institutions or third parties: Research, alliances, regulation, development or procurement may add 1–6+ months.
Overall planning range: 6–12 weeks to approved pilot; 8–20 weeks for evidence; 6–24+ months to scale.

Procedure and cost

Procedure or concept	Amount or rule	Nature
Strategic advice by the hour	US$300 per hour	Commercial reference; not a legal tariff
Thesis, portfolio or model design	Fixed price by phase	Questions and deliverables agreed
Pilot, alliances and growth office	Phased project or retainer	Stage gates, governance and capacity defined
Research, data, design, development, media and experts	Variable	External costs excluded

Frequently asked questions

How is an idea prioritized?

Potential value, real problem, evidence, right to win, capital, risk, speed, dependencies and ability to test the critical point at low cost.

What makes a pilot different from a small project?

A pilot answers a hypothesis with a baseline and decision criterion. If it does not define which evidence will change the decision, it is not well designed.

When does a partnership belong?

When it accelerates access, capability or efficiency with clearly structured economics, incentives, data, ownership and exit.

Service basis

Proprietary executive methodology. The displayed price is a commercial reference and is not part of the legal tariff.

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FAQ

Before work begins.

Common answers for interpreting scope, figures and timelines.

Is the displayed figure the final price?

No. The applicable minimum legal fee is separated from taxes, notary, Registry, translations, publications, experts, banks and other third parties. A written scope with assumptions and exclusions is provided before work begins.

Does the typical route mean Rodrigo performs every step?

No. The route explains the full process for planning purposes. The written scope identifies accepted preventive or document work, steps handled directly by the client, and phases requiring independent counsel, an institution or another third party. Representation before public authorities is excluded.

Are B/. and US$ equivalent?

The balboa is at par with the U.S. dollar. Legal tariffs are stated in balboas; advisory fees are stated in U.S. dollars. ITBMS, when legally applicable, is identified separately.

Are the timelines guaranteed?

No. They are planning ranges and depend on document quality, client decisions, signature scheduling, observations, institutional workload, third parties and case-specific facts.

What should I send in the first message?

Only a general description, the parties involved, the pending decision and any relevant date. Do not send documents or confidential information before conflicts clearance and engagement acceptance.

Do you handle disputes or emergencies?

The practice focuses on prevention, analysis, drafting, structuring and selected non-contentious processes. Litigation, hearings, contentious collections, emergencies and representation before public authorities are not accepted; where useful, a referral to an appropriate independent professional may be coordinated.

How is advisory work priced?

The reference rate is US$300 per hour. Once the objective, deliverables, dependencies and governance are defined, a fixed price by phase or project may be proposed.

NEXT STEP

The guide provides direction. The diagnostic makes the decision.

Share only the general context, parties and relevant date. Conflicts, scope and required documents are confirmed first.

WhatsApp tercero@rodrigoromero.co