Claim Back Your Mortgage Opening Commission
What is the opening commission of a mortgage? The opening commission of a mortgage is a fee charged by the lender when you take out a mortgage. This fee is …
Maria Luisa Castro
Director and Founder
Expertise: All aspects of Residency, Family, Real Estate and Commercial Law in Spain
Education: University of Seville, Catholic University of America, University of Navarra
Highlights
- Leading expat lawyer in Spain
- Proud to be recommended by the UK and Irish embassies
- Winner of a landmark sentence in 2012 in Spain’s high court against off-plan property developer’s banks, paving the way for thousands of claims against irregular building and banking practices.
- Registered Lawyer number 2745 of the Cadiz Bar Association and is licensed to practice in all areas of law throughout Spain.
- Languages – English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese
Experience
María founded CostaLuz Lawyers in 2006 and is the Firm’s Director. María is registered Lawyer number 2745 of the Cadiz Bar Association and is licensed to practice in all areas of law throughout Spain. Working closely with her team, María has developed the firm into one of the most highly regarded and trusted Spanish Law Firms acting for English-speaking clients with legal problems in Spain.
The Beginnings
I founded CostaLuz Lawyers in 2006 with the idea of attracting property investment to the Costa de la Luz in southern Spain and help English-speaking foreigners buying property to retire to, live in or spend holidays in Spain.
My founding principle was to help foreigners understand how Spanish law works and get the best possible outcome for their interests. This mission now forms one of the pillars of CostaLuz Lawyers.
Changes to Spanish Wealth Tax from 2023
The Spanish Government has recently approved a new tax law that impacts residents and non-residents affected by the Wealth Tax in Spain (also known as “Impuesto de Patrimonio”). The change …
How to Pay Less Inheritance Tax in Spain
Paying less inheritance tax in Spain sits at the top of most heirs’ priorities, closely followed by the need to avoid conflict of interests. These objectives are particularly common when …
Divorce in Spain: How to Calculate Alimony
Calculating alimony is a hot topic surrounding divorce in Spain. Until recently, the amount of maintenance was at a judge’s discretion, a situation that has generated more contentious divorce proceedings …
Off-Plan Property Bank Guarantees and Insurance Policies
Off-plan property bank guarantees and insurance policies form a fundamental part of purchasing a new property in Spain. Between them, they provide protection for your money should the developer fail …
Off-Plan Property Bank Guarantees and Insurance Policies Read More
What Happens if a Property Isn’t Registered?
Registering a property at the appropriate registry is an essential step in a property purchase. Although you, as the buyer, are not obliged to register the property, at Costaluz Lawyers, …
What Is a Binding Mortgage Offer?
If you’re buying a property in Spain, you may need to apply for a loan. In this case, you’ll probably shop around banks and may receive favourable replies to your …
How to Calculate Transfer Tax on Spanish Property
Transfer tax on Spanish property can be as high as 10% and, as a result, makes up one of the highest costs involved in a purchase. In this blog post, …
European Court of Justice Rules Automatic Recognition of Extrajudicial Divorce
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) recently ruled on the automatic recognition of extrajudicial divorce. As a result, a divorce certificate drawn up before a civil registry in any EU …
European Court of Justice Rules Automatic Recognition of Extrajudicial Divorce Read More