Residency: lawyer or ourselves?

[Massielg]

My husband is french, I am dominican, we are married since 2 years now and live here in DR.

He would like to do his DR residency and I was wondering if is easy do it ourselves (as we are married) or if is too complicated and we willl need a lawyer?

If a lawyer is needed, could somebody tell me how long is the process, estimated cost; also, could somebody recommend us a good lawyer specialized in those cases?

Thanks!

[The Virginian]

My wife and I used Dolly Cabrera in Santiago. She charged us $800.00 each. It has taken 3 months so far. I understand the cedules are ready we just haven't gone to collect them yet. You might search Dolly on this forum, I think you will find others have recommended her as well.

[Bob K]

If you are fluent in spanish and know how to "work" the system you can do it yourself and save some $$.
If not I also reccomend Dollly

Bob K

[Massielg]

Thanks for your answer the virginian!

One question, how many times did you go to Santiago to see her for this?

Somebody told me people needs to go a several times to Migracion office, even if a lawyer is in charge, that is important to me, because my husband doesnt speak spanish or english and I need to go with him for this (and Im a very busy person).

thanks

[Massielg]

Originally Posted by Bob K

If you are fluent in spanish and know how to "work" the system you can do it yourself and save some $$.
If not I also reccomend Dollly

Bob K

Thanks Bob!

The problem is if is too complicated (and we need to go often to Santo Domingo) I do not have time to do that..

[william webster]

Originally Posted by Massielg

Thanks Bob!

The problem is if is too complicated (and we need to go often to Santo Domingo) I do not have time to do that..

We did it last year. Two visits to SD
The first to fulfill the medical - xray, etc and do the legal paperwork
The second to walk through the validation, photos, etc acceptance process.

Application filed in Feb .... Granted in Sept.

We used Sr Guzman's office

[Massielg]

Originally Posted by william webster

We did it last year. Two visits to SD
The first to fulfill the medical - xray, etc and do the legal paperwork
The second to walk through the validation, photos, etc acceptance process.

Application filed in Feb .... Granted in Sept.

We used Sr Guzman's office

Thanks for your answer? How much did it cost it?

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by Massielg

Somebody told me people needs to go a several times to Migracion office, even if a lawyer is in charge, that is important to me, because my husband doesnt speak spanish or english and I need to go with him for this (and Im a very busy person).

If he has a French speaking lawyer he won't need you to go with him. Most of the new English speaking expats don't have much Spanish but have a lawyer who speaks English and they manage. As long as your husband can communicate with his lawyer he won't have a problem. Anyway, he has got to start speaking Spanish sometime - he has been here 2 years? Should have some Spanish by now......................

[william webster]

It was about $1200 each. We were not living here so had to have someone do the whole thing in our absence.

If living here, I expect you might be able to do it for less.

It helps if the lawyer has good connections - Guzman, Ariza has good connections.

[Massielg]

Originally Posted by Lambada

If he has a French speaking lawyer he won't need you to go with him. Most of the new English speaking expats don't have much Spanish but have a lawyer who speaks English and they manage. As long as your husband can communicate with his lawyer he won't have a problem. Anyway, he has got to start speaking Spanish sometime - he has been here 2 years? Should have some Spanish by now......................

Find a lawyer who speak french is a bit dificult I think...he speaks a bit spanish but his level is not enough to do that himself...and also, I prefer to be involved in the process (you know he is another "gringo"...I am dominican, is not the same).