Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.2026-11-12T13:34:41Zhttps://www.urbanthier.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1203273/2019/12/cropped-favicon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Terminating Your Pre-Construction Purchase Agreement Contract and Recovering Your Deposit In Florida]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=560412026-11-05T15:58:07Z2026-11-05T15:58:07ZIf you wish to terminate your purchase agreement and recover your deposit, we urge you to take immediate action and sign no further documents whatsoever with the developer.
At every step of the way along the contracting and purchase process, the developer will push you to complete your purchase. Clients are often threatened by the developer, or the developer’s attorneys, with being declared in breach of the purchase agreement, losing all of their deposit funds, and/or facing legal action for breach of the purchase agreement, and/or having to pay the developer’s attorneys’ fees, performance the contractual purchase obligations, etc. all in an effort to keep purchasers from pursuing their legal rights.
Under our proven legal strategy, we seek to have your contract rescinded, meaning you are legally put back into the position you would have been in had you never entered into the contract or purchase agreement for sale in the first place. Under this strategy, you are entitled to a return of your entire deposit(s), your purchase obligation is permanently terminated, and you may also be entitled to an award of interest, attorney fees, and costs.
Regardless in which development or with which developer you have contracted, we can analyze your contract and circumstances to determine if we have a strategy that we believe will be successful for you and your situation. If we agree to accept your case, we represent you on a No Win No Fee/contingency fee basis.Developments now active include, but are not limited to:
942 NE 1ST AVENUE CONDOMINIUM, a condominium, by Legacy Tower MWC Ventures, LLC, Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida
REFLECTIONS II AT ORLANDO WEST CONDOMINIUM, a condominium, by Visions at Orlando West Phase V, LLC, Orlando, Orange County, Florida
To learn more about Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., and their attorneys’ extensive experience in this area of the law, or to learn more about this area of the law in general and your legal rights, please see the following additional materials discussing contract termination and deposit return litigation.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Enforcing your legal rights when injured on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Cruise]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=560362026-11-04T18:31:35Z2026-11-04T18:31:35ZKey points to know if injured on a Royal Caribbean cruise or cruise related activity
Venue / Forum / Location: Federal United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, in Miami, Florida (regardless of where you live or where the accident happened).
Notice of Claim: You must send a written notice of injury to Royal Caribbean’s corporate office within 6 months of the incident date.
Statute of Limitations / Deadline to Take Formal Legal Action: You must officially file your lawsuit with the court within 1 year of the date the incident involving your injury or the death occurred.
Governing Law: United States federal maritime law applies to injuries that happen on board the ship, in international waters, on a private cruise line owned or controlled island, and on many cruise related activities.
With the short deadlines and technical requirements to enforce your legal rights, it is critical that you take immediate action. An untimely or improperly sent Notice of Claim can result in the loss of your right to take legal action. Filing an untimely lawsuit can result in the loss of your right to pursue legal action. Royal Caribbean has teams of lawyers, both within Royal Caribbean and defense law firms, protecting and representing its interests. Likewise, you should ensure you have a legal team protecting and representing your interests.
Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., attorneys are admitted to all Florida State and Federal Courts, including the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Attorney John L. Urban has been the lead attorney on 100s of Florida federal lawsuits and has represented cruise passengers from different states and countries. Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., does not represent, and never has represented, the cruise lines. For cruise line cases, we only represent those injured or killed while on a cruise and while participating in a cruise related activity.
Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., can represent you if you are injured, or a loved one is killed, while on a cruise, including, but not limited to sexual and other assaults, trip or slip and fall cases, cruise related activity injuries, etc.
For more information regarding the types of cases we handle, and have handled, please view our Cruise Ship Accidents page.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Personal Injury or Wrongful Death While Visiting the Netherlands]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=560212026-10-27T19:51:59Z2026-10-27T19:51:59ZInternational Team of United States and Dutch Attorneys Focused on Assisting Tourists and Other Guests
If you are seriously injured, or have a loved one who dies, while vacationing in the Netherlands, our experienced personal injury attorneys at Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., can help you. We have established relationships, and have handled many cases, with our Netherlands-based Dutch attorney colleagues.
Most cases are handled on a contingency/No Win No Fee basis. This means that if we agree to accept your case (which is done via a written Legal Representation Agreement with a onetime cost deposit), we will advance all case-related costs and our team is only paid from any actual recovery we achieve on your behalf. In other words, our compensation is based purely on a percentage of funds actually recovered on your behalf. If we fail to recover funds, we are paid nothing and we write off the costs we advance. As a result, you can rest assured that our legal team’s interests and goals are the same as yours – to ensure the maximum compensation for your injuries and loss.
Why is it so important to hire an international legal team if my case involves an injury or death in the Netherlands?
In our experience, most United States-based firms will try to force a strategy, often unsuccessfully, that seeks to hold some American-based entity responsible or liable for the injury or death. We have also seen individuals try to locate and work with a Dutch or other foreign law firm directly only to be frustrated by, at best, cultural, language, and legal system differences, and, at worst, an inability to locate a competent attorney in the Netherlands or one that does not demand a large up front retainer.
Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.’s team ensures that our trusted and proven Dutch attorney colleagues advance your case through the Dutch Courts. At the same time, we provide a local presence to ensure accountability and accessibility to our clients, to handle client communications, evidence collection, medical records, translations, apostilles, record custodian affidavits, expert reports, and other support to ensure that damages (the economic and non-economic losses caused by the injury or death) are compiled, analyzed and properly authenticated to ensure admissibility in the Dutch Courts.
Examples of personal injury and death cases suffered by United States resident tourists visiting the Netherlands:
Vehicle accidents involving rental cars, ride share vehicles (such as Uber), e-bikes and e-scooters, bicycles, tour and excursion operators, and other prearranged transportation
Poorly designed and/or maintained premises such as slippery surfaces resulting in falls, balcony collapse, malfunctioning automatic doors, unsafe amusement park rides, and many other avoidable injuries caused by a defect in the premises
Excursion and outdoor activity injuries while a paying participant, such as bicycle tours, swimming, etc., resulting in femur, knee, wrist and other orthopedic injuries as well as head and other neurological injuries.
What do I do if I am injured or a loved one dies in the Netherlands?
If you are injured, or a loved one is killed, in a vehicle accident or while a guest at one of the many Dutch resorts or hotels, Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., can help you. If you are injured while a paying guest, patron, or business invitee, at an amusement park, night club, tourist excursion, or other activity, we can help you. The first step is to immediately contact us via our Contact Us form, Chat Assistant, or by calling our office.
We will immediately start gathering information about your specific matter to promptly determine if we can be of assistance. If we agree to take on your case, we will then work with you to secure medical records, economic damages documentation, and other materials and facts in support of your case and your damages claim. Under the applicable Dutch law, time bars/prescription periods for bringing a lawsuit can vary greatly depending on the type of case and the party being sued, with time bars running from the date of your injury, although certain claims involving insurance and other parties may need to be brough in a much shorter time period from the date of the accident. This means that it is critically important to act promptly.
* This article and this website are for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information provided should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter and not rely on the content of this article. Nothing on this site is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and nothing posted constitutes legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is accurate, complete or up to date.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Personal Injury or Wrongful Death While Visiting France]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=559792026-09-22T01:51:22Z2026-09-22T01:51:22ZWhy is it so important to hire an international legal team if my case involves an injury or death in France?
In our experience, most United States-based firms will try to force a strategy, often unsuccessfully, that seeks to hold some American-based entity responsible or liable for the injury or death. We have also seen individuals try to locate and work with a French or other foreign law firm directly only to be frustrated by, at best, cultural, language, and legal system differences, and, at worst, an inability to locate a competent attorney in France or one that does not demand a large up front retainer.
Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.’s team ensures that our trusted and proven French attorney colleagues advance your case through the French Courts. At the same time, we provide a local presence to ensure accountability and accessibility to our clients, to handle client communications, evidence collection, medical records, translations, apostilles, record custodian affidavits, expert reports, and other support to ensure that damages (the economic and non-economic losses caused by the injury or death) are compiled, analyzed and properly authenticated to ensure admissibility in the French Courts.
Examples of personal injury and wrongful death cases suffered by United States resident tourists visiting France
Vehicle accidents involving rental cars, ride share vehicles (such as Uber), e-bikes and e-scooters, tour and excursion operators, and other prearranged transportation.
Poorly designed and/or maintained premises such as slippery surfaces resulting in falls, balcony collapse, malfunctioning automatic doors, unsafe amusement park rides, and many other avoidable injuries caused by a defect in the premises
Excursion and outdoor activity injuries while a paying participant, such as skiing, snowboarding, swimming, etc., resulting in femur, knee, wrist and other orthopedic injuries as well as head and other neurological injuries.
What do I do if I am injured or a loved one dies in France?
If you are injured, or a loved one is killed, in a vehicle accident or while a guest at one of the many French resorts or hotels, Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., can help you. If you are injured while a paying guest, patron, or business invitee, at an amusement park, night club, tourist excursion, or other activity, we can help you. The first step is to immediately contact us via our Contact Us form, Chat Assistant, or by calling our office.
We will immediately start gathering information about your specific matter to promptly determine if we can be of assistance. If we agree to take on your case, we will then work with you to secure medical records, economic damages documentation, and other materials and facts in support of your case and your damages claim. Under the applicable French law, time bars/prescription periods for bringing a lawsuit can be as long as 10 years from the date of your injury, although certain claims involving insurance and other parties may need to be brough in a much shorter time period from the date of the accident. This means that it is critically important to act promptly.
This article and this website are for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information provided should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter and not rely on the content of this article. Nothing on this site is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and nothing posted constitutes legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is accurate, complete or up to date.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Personal Injury or Wrongful Death While Visiting Grenada]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=559732026-09-29T08:04:26Z2026-09-04T19:00:58ZInternational Team of United States and Grenadian Attorneys Focused on Assisting Tourists and Other Guests
If you are seriously injured, or have a loved one who dies, while vacationing or otherwise staying in Grenada, our experienced personal injury attorneys at Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., can help you. We have established relationships and have handled many cases with our Grenada-based attorney colleagues.
Most cases are handled on a contingency/No Win No Fee basis. This means that if we agree to accept your case (which is done via a written Legal Representation Agreement with a onetime cost deposit), we will advance all case-related costs and our team is only paid from any actual recovery we achieve on your behalf. In other words, our compensation is based purely on a percentage of funds actually recovered on your behalf. If we fail to recover funds, we are paid nothing and we write off the costs we advance. As a result, you can rest assured that our legal team’s interests and goals are the same as yours – to ensure the maximum compensation for your injuries and loss.
Why is it so important to hire an international legal team if my case involves an injury or death in Grenada?
In our experience, most United States-based firms will try to force a strategy, often unsuccessfully, that seeks to hold some American-based entity responsible or liable for the injury or death. We have also seen individuals try to locate and work with a Grenadian or other foreign law firm directly only to be frustrated by, at best, cultural, language, and legal system differences, and, at worst, corruption, exploitation and incompetence.
Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.’s team ensures that our trusted and proven Grenadian attorney colleagues advance your case through the Grenadian Courts. At the same time, we provide a local presence to ensure accountability and accessibility to our clients, to handle client communications, evidence collection, medical records, translations, apostilles, record custodian affidavits, expert reports, and other support to ensure that damages (the economic and non-economic losses caused by the injury or death) are compiled, analyzed and properly authenticated to ensure admissibility in the Grenadian Courts.
Actual examples of personal injury and death cases suffered by United States resident tourists visiting Grenada
Negligent security incidents such as assaults, robberies, murders, rapes, and other violent crimes committed on hotel and resort premises against guests and other business invitees
Poorly designed and/or maintained premises such as slippery surfaces resulting in falls, balcony collapse, malfunctioning automatic doors, gas appliance explosions, and many other avoidable injuries caused by a defect in the premises
Vehicle accidents involving rental cars, ride share vehicles, tour and excursion operators, and other prearranged transportation
What do I do if I am injured or a loved one dies in Grenada?
If you are injured, or a loved one is killed, while a guest at one of the many Grenadian resorts or hotels, Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., can help you. If you are injured while a paying guest, patron, or business invitee, at a night club, tourist excursion, or other activity, we can help you. The first step is to immediately contact us via our Contact Us form, Chat Assistant, or by calling our office.
We will immediately start gathering information about your specific matter to promptly determine if we can be of assistance. If we agree to take on your case, we will then work with you to secure medical records, economic damages documentation, and other materials and facts in support of your case and your damages claim. Under the applicable Grenadian law, time bars/prescription periods for bringing a lawsuit are generally three (3) years from the date of your injury or the date of death. Missing this deadline can act as a complete defense against a claim and the Grenadian Court will dismiss a claim that is not timely. This means that it is critically important to act promptly.
* This article and this website are for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information provided should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter and not rely on the content of this article. Nothing on this site is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and nothing posted constitutes legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is accurate, complete or up to date.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Frequently Asked Questions for Portugal Golden Visa Applicants and Investors]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=559712026-08-13T14:53:26Z2026-08-13T14:53:26ZHow do I know who I can trust, including the law firm of [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"]?
This is a frequent and excellent question. As set forth in some of our other Portugal Golden Visa related blog articles on this website, it is clear to us that almost all law firms involved in the Golden Visa process are conflicted in that they are directly or indirectly financially involved (common ownership, commission payments, etc.) with the very investment companies and funds that they are recommending. Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., has zero financial interest or involvement in these investments or funds. Moreover, if we agree to represent you, we handle the entire case on a No Win No Fee basis (there is a small upfront onetime cost deposit but zero fees unless and until we recover funds for you and then our fee is strictly limited to a percentage of those recovered funds). Accordingly, we only represent investors who are seeking to exit their Portugal Golden Visa investment. We have absolutely no other interest.
What if I am still weighing my options and am not sure how to proceed?
We are happy to discuss your unique case and to review your specific documents to determine whether we are willing to take on your particular case and work with you. However, we do not give tax advice, we do not give investment restructuring advice, and you should only retain our services if you wish to exit your Portugal Golden Visa related investment.
Why would I want to hire an international law firm when the matter involves a case in Portugal?
Being an international law firm, Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., is able to offer a No Win No Fee representation that covers our entire legal team, including our trusted and proven Portugal based attorney colleagues. Respectfully, you should be very cautious if a law firm requests a large fee retainer (sometimes tens of thousands of dollars or euros upfront) and bills you hourly for their work (often many hundreds of dollars or euros per hour). We represent Golden Visa investors seeking to exit their investments and recover their funds on a strict No Win No Fee basis. In other words, if we fail to recover money for you, you owe us nothing and any costs we advance on your behalf, in excess of your onetime upfront cost deposit, are written off.
Why is [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"], so confident that it can terminate my Portugal Golden Visa investment contract and recover funds for me?
A: As set forth in some of our other Portugal Golden Visa related blog articles on this website, it is clear to us that there are multiple independent grounds for terminating the investment and seeking recovery of funds. To us, each prospective client is a separate case and we analyze your specific documents and circumstances before deciding whether we are willing to take on your case. We only agree to accept a case once we are confident that we have a winning strategy in place. Given that we are only accepting cases on a No Win No Fee basis, we only take on cases that we are confident will result in a successful recovery of funds.
Is there a Statute of Limitations/Prescription Period/time bar for taking legal action if I want to terminate my Portugal Golden Visa investment and recover my funds?
Firstly, there is no advantage to waiting to take action. Every cause of action and legal strategy involves different time bars. Every case involves different contract or investment dates, different deadlines for performance, etc. Our recommendation is that, once you have decided that you no longer wish to pursue a Portugal Golden Visa, or at least no longer wish to pursue the qualifying investment, you should take immediate action to enforce your rights via an attorney who is independent, selected by you and has a clear interest in your recovery, and no interest whatsoever tied to the underlying investment. In our extensive experience in representing investors in similar group investment situations, we also find that waiting can result in missing out completely on the ability to recover money. As an increasing number of investors terminate their investments, there often comes a tipping point where the overall investment may become insolvent and enter liquidation or other bankruptcy type proceedings. The more you delay in pursuing your rights, the less likely that you will be able to recover funds.
What are the next steps if I want to have [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"], represent me to exit my Portugal Golden Visa investment and recover funds for me?
If you are interested in having Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., review your case, then please contact us via our Contact Us form, telephone, Chat, etc. There is absolutely no charge for us to evaluate your case and discuss your case with you. All communications with us are protected by the attorney privilege regardless of whether or not we accept your case. If we agree to accept your case, we will send you our standard written Legal Representation Agreement clearly setting forth the terms of our No Win No Fee/contingency fee representation and covering the entire legal team, including our trusted and proven Portugal based attorney colleagues.
We encourage all Portugal Golden Visa investors who wish to exit their investments, or who wish to explore their options, to do their own independent research. We are confident that the more educated you are as to your options, the more you will see the value of working exclusively with the Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., legal team, which includes our trusted and proven Portugal based attorney colleagues.
[nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] works with trusted Porto-based attorney colleagues to represent, and enforce in the Portuguese courts, the interests of international clients with legal matters in Portugal. Our No Win No Fee legal representation agreement covers the entire USA and Portugal legal team. Contact us today at info@urbanthier.com or call 877-693-4516.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Personal Injury or Wrongful Death While Visiting Costa Rica]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=559702026-09-29T08:04:18Z2026-08-03T15:08:08Zour experienced personal injury attorneys at Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., can help you. We have established relationships, and have handled many cases, with our Costa Rica-based attorney colleagues.
Most cases are handled on a contingency/No Win No Fee basis. This means that if we agree to accept your case (which is done via a written Legal Representation Agreement with a onetime cost deposit), we will advance all case-related costs and our team is only paid from any actual recovery we achieve on your behalf. In other words, our compensation is based purely on a percentage of funds actually recovered on your behalf. If we fail to recover funds, we are paid nothing and we write off the costs we advance. As a result, you can rest assured that our legal team’s interests and goals are the same as yours – to ensure the maximum compensation for your injuries and loss.
Why is it so important to hire an international legal team if my case involves an injury or death in Costa Rica?
In our experience, most United States-based firms will try to force a strategy, often unsuccessfully, that seeks to hold some American-based entity responsible or liable for the injury or death. We have also seen individuals try to locate and work with a Costa Rican or other foreign law firm directly only to be frustrated by, at best, cultural, language, and legal system differences, and, at worst, corruption, exploitation and incompetence.
Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.’s team ensures that our trusted and proven Costa Rican attorney colleagues advance your case through the Costa Rican Courts. At the same time, we provide a local presence to ensure accountability and accessibility to our clients, to handle client communications, evidence collection, medical records, translations, apostilles, record custodian affidavits, expert reports, and other support to ensure that damages (the economic and non-economic losses caused by the injury or death) are compiled, analyzed and properly authenticated to ensure admissibility in the Costa Rican Courts.
Examples of personal injury and death cases suffered by United States resident tourists visiting Costa Rica:
Negligent security incidents such as assaults, robberies, murders, rapes, and other violent crimes committed on hotel and resort premises against guests and other business invitees
Poorly designed and/or maintained premises such as slippery surfaces resulting in falls, balcony collapse, malfunctioning automatic doors, unsafe amusement park rides, and many other avoidable injuries caused by a defect in the premises
Vehicle accidents involving rental cars, ride share vehicles (such as Uber), tour and excursion operators, and other prearranged transportation
What do I do if I am injured or a loved one dies in Costa Rica?
If you are injured, or a loved one is killed, in a vehicle accident or while a guest at one of the many Costa Rican resorts or hotels, Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., can help you. If you are injured while a paying guest, patron, or business invitee, at an amusement park, night club, tourist excursion, or other activity, we can help you. The first step is to immediately contact us via our Contact Us form, Chat Assistant, or by calling our office.
We will immediately start gathering information about your specific matter to promptly determine if we can be of assistance. If we agree to take on your case, we will then work with you to secure medical records, economic damages documentation, and other materials and facts in support of your case and your damages claim. Under the applicable Costa Rican law, time bars/prescription periods for bringing a lawsuit can be as long as 10 years from the date of your injury, although certain claims involving insurance and other parties may need to be brough in as little as 1 year from the date of the accident. This means that it is critically important to act promptly.
This article and this website are for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information provided should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter and not rely on the content of this article. Nothing on this site is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and nothing posted constitutes legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is accurate, complete or up to date.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Independent Legal Representation for Portugal Golden Visa Investors]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=559692026-08-03T15:03:09Z2026-08-03T15:03:09ZConflicts
We have found evidence that some attorneys in Portugal, who hold themselves out as providing independent legal advice for those seeking to take advantage of the Golden Visa program, are actually deeply conflicted. On the one hand, they take a fee from Golden Visa applicants and purport to guide them through the process as their independent legal advisor. However, simultaneously, many of these same legal advisors have a financial interest in the very investment which they purport to independently recommend to those same clients.
In other words, Golden Visa application investors may believe that they are paying for independent counsel when, in fact, they may be receiving guidance from lawyers or firms that are tied to the underlying investment. This is a clear conflict of interest. When the same network that promoted the investment is also influencing the legal advice, it becomes difficult to know whether the guidance is truly independent or in whose best interest it is being given. Any investor who suspects a conflict should obtain advice from counsel of their own choosing, with no connection to the Golden Visa application attorney or the underlying investment.
Failed and Delayed Investments
Although many Golden Visa investors entered into investment contracts primarily to qualify for Portugal’s Golden Visa, these are still investment agreements involving substantial capital, often €500,000 or more. Investors have committed significant personal savings with the expectation that the project would be completed, contractual obligations would be honored, and the immigration goals tied to the investment would remain achievable.
In some cases, investors may have concerns about delayed timelines, missed deadlines, failure to make promised payments, failure to honor return or buyback provisions, or other possible breaches. These issues can be especially serious where the investment was marketed as stable, time-sensitive, and tied to residency eligibility. If any of these concerns apply, the contract should be reviewed immediately by independent counsel of your own selection and, as necessary, formal legal action should be initiated.
Changes in Portugal Golden Visa Law
Significantly unfavorable changes to Portugal’s Golden Visa program were signed into law by Portugal’s President on May 3, 2026. Most Golden Visa investors made their investments before these significant changes were enacted. Over time, the legal and practical landscape has shifted, and investors who expected a faster path to residency or citizenship now face a much longer process than originally anticipated.
Under the current changes to Portugal’s Golden Visa program law, the residency timeline may begin only after issuance of the first residence card, not when the application is filed. In addition, the minimum legal residency requirement for citizenship has increased for many non-EU applicants, including applicants from the United States of America (USA). As a result, delays in processing can extend the overall path to Portuguese citizenship and long-term European residency far beyond what many investors originally expected. This means that, with processing delays and other issues, the realistic timeline for the Portugal Golden Visa pathway to Portuguese citizenship, and permanent European Union residency, can be as much as 11 to 13 years or longer. For many, this is simply incompatible with their retirement timeline and plans.
What Investors Should Do Now
If you made an investment as part of your Golden Visa application process and suspect a breach of contract, conflict of interest, or otherwise wish to explore your legal options, we encourage you to contact us immediately. Critical to our analysis, we will need you to gather all of your documents. The most important records include any investment agreements, any amendments, marketing materials, payment confirmations, email communications, your contract for representation with your Portuguese attorney, and any immigration filings or correspondence. Even if we ultimately do not accept your case or work with you, any communications with our office or USA/Portugal legal team is strictly confidential and covered by the attorney work product privilege.
A prompt independent review can help determine whether your contract has been breached, whether your residency strategy is still viable, and what legal remedies may be available. Every case is fact-specific, so the earlier the review begins, the better positioned you may be to protect your rights. If legal action is warranted, our legal team can file a lawsuit in the appropriate Portuguese court and fight for your rights.
Why Independent Counsel Matters
If you believe you may have a breach of contract, a conflict of interest, or a problem with your Portugal Golden Visa investment, it is important to speak with an attorney who is truly independent. That means a lawyer who has no connection whatsoever to your immigration attorney or the underlying investment.
[nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] works with trusted Porto-based attorney colleagues to represent, and enforce in the Portuguese courts, the interests of international clients with legal matters in Portugal. In many cases, we can represent you via a No Win No Fee legal representation agreement that covers the entire USA and Portugal legal team. Contact us today at info@urbanthier.com or call 877-693-4516.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Independent Legal Representation for Mercan Group Portugal Golden Visa Investors]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=559522026-07-22T01:54:21Z2026-07-22T01:54:21ZConflicts of Interest
There appear to be conflicts of interest involving some attorneys in Portugal who hold themselves out as providing independent legal advice while also having a financial interest in the investments they are supposedly reviewing. In practical terms, investors may believe they are paying for independent counsel when, in fact, they may be receiving guidance from lawyers or firms that are tied to the underlying investment.
For investors, this is not a minor issue. When the same network that promoted the investment is also influencing the legal advice, it becomes difficult to know whether the guidance is truly independent. Any investor who suspects this kind of conflict should obtain advice from counsel of their own choosing, with no connection to Mercan Group or any affiliated project.
Breached Investment Contracts
Although many investors entered into Mercan investment contracts primarily to qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa, these are still investment agreements involving substantial capital, often €500,000 or more. Investors have committed significant personal savings with the expectation that the project would be completed, contractual obligations would be honored, and the immigration goals tied to the investment would remain achievable.
In some cases, investors may have concerns about delayed timelines, missed deadlines, failure to make promised payments, failure to honor return or buyback provisions, or other possible breaches. These issues can be especially serious where the investment was marketed as stable, time-sensitive, and tied to residency eligibility. If any of these concerns apply, the contract should be reviewed immediately by independent counsel.
Changes in Portugal Golden Visa Law
Many Mercan investors made their investments before significant changes were made to Portugal’s Golden Visa program. Over time, the legal and practical landscape has shifted, and investors who expected a faster path to residency or citizenship may now face a much longer process than originally anticipated.
The residency timeline may begin only after issuance of the first residence card, not merely when the application is filed. In addition, the minimum legal residency requirement for citizenship has increased for many non-EU applicants, including applicants from the United States. As a result, delays in processing can extend the overall path to Portuguese citizenship and long-term European residency far beyond what many investors originally expected. This means that, with processing delays and other issues, the realistic timeline for the Portugal Golden Visa pathway to Portuguese citizenship, and permanent European Union residency, can be as much as 11 to 13 years.
What Investors Should Do Now
If you invested with Mercan and suspect a breach of contract or conflict of interest, do not wait to gather your documents. The most useful records typically include the investment agreement, any amendments, marketing materials, payment confirmations, email communications, and any immigration filings or correspondence.
A prompt independent review can help determine whether your contract has been breached, whether your residency strategy is still viable, and what legal remedies may be available. Every case is fact-specific, so the earlier the review begins, the better positioned you may be to protect your rights.
Why Independent Counsel Matters
If you believe you may have a breach of contract, a conflict of interest, or a problem with your Portugal Golden Visa investment, it is important to speak with an attorney who is truly independent. That means a lawyer who is not connected to Mercan Group, not influenced by anyone affiliated with the investment, and not financially tied to the outcome of the project.
Urban Thier & Federer, P.A. works with Porto-based colleagues to represent the interests of U.S.-based clients with legal matters in Portugal. In many cases, we can represent you via a No Win No Fee legal representation agreement that covers the entire USA and Portugal legal team. Contact us today at info@urbanthier.com or call 877-693-4516.]]>On Behalf of Urban Thier & Federer, P.A.<![CDATA[Florida Statutes § 692.204 Prohibition on Chinese and Other Nationals Owning Real Property in the State of Florida]]>https://www.urbanthier.com/?p=559442026-07-02T15:15:41Z2026-07-02T15:15:41ZFlorida Statutes § 692.204, titled Purchase or Acquisition of Real Property by the People’s Republic of China Prohibited, certain Chinese nationals are now prohibited from purchasing or owning real property in Florida. Specifically, this law applies to citizens of China who are not United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.
This prohibition has already been challenged in court and upheld as constitutional, valid, and enforceable. If you are impacted by this law and are currently under contract to purchase real estate in Florida, you may have legal grounds to terminate your purchase agreement. It is essential to consult with an attorney of your choosing to understand your rights and available options. Most real estate contracts contain provisions related to force majeure, frustration of purpose, illegality, or impossibility of performance. The enactment of Florida Statutes § 692.204 may trigger one or more of these clauses. However, terminating a contract and recovering your deposit or earnest money is not automatic. To avoid forfeiting your funds, your purchase agreement must be carefully reviewed by a licensed Florida attorney experienced in this area of law. An attorney can also issue a formal demand letter or rescission notice to the seller and any escrow agent holding your deposit.
Time is critical. Sellers often attempt to declare buyers in breach of contract on technical grounds and then seek release of the full deposit as liquidated damages. As the purchaser, you bear the burden of timely raising legal defenses, such as the statutory prohibition under § 692.204 or other purchaser protections, that may allow you to legally terminate the contract and recover your deposit. In reality, most purchase agreements are drafted by the seller’s attorneys and heavily favor the seller. Unsuspecting buyers can easily be found in breach for minor or technical reasons, which may result in the loss of their entire deposit and, in some cases, additional liability for the seller’s attorney’s fees and costs.
At Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., we do not represent sellers or developers. We represent purchasers only and have helped hundreds of buyers successfully terminate real estate contracts and recover their deposit funds. We are so confident in our ability to help that many of our cases are handled on a No Win, No Fee basis; meaning you pay nothing unless and until we recover money for you.
If you believe you may be affected by Florida Statutes § 692.204, we strongly encourage you to act immediately and consult with us or another attorney of your choice. You should avoid working with any attorney or law firm connected to or recommended by the seller.
Florida Statutes § 692.204 Ban
692.204 Purchase or acquisition of real property by the People’s Republic of China prohibited.—
(1)(a) The following persons or entities may not directly or indirectly own, have a controlling interest in, or acquire by purchase, grant, devise, or descent any interest, except a de minimus indirect interest, in real property in this state:
1. The People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, or any official or member of the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party.
2. Any other political party or member of a political party or a subdivision of a political party in the People’s Republic of China.
3. A partnership, an association, a corporation, an organization, or any other combination of persons organized under the laws of or having its principal place of business in the People’s Republic of China, or a subsidiary of such entity.
4. Any person who is domiciled in the People’s Republic of China and who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
5. Any person, entity, or collection of persons or entities described in subparagraphs 1. through 4. having a controlling interest in a partnership, association, corporation, organization, trust, or any other legal entity or subsidiary formed for the purpose of owning real property in this state.
(b) A person or entity has a de minimus indirect interest if any ownership is the result of the person’s or entity’s ownership of registered equities in a publicly traded company owning the land and if the person’s or entity’s ownership interest in the company is either:
1. Less than 5 percent of any class of registered equities or less than 5 percent in the aggregate in multiple classes of registered equities; or
2. A noncontrolling interest in an entity controlled by a company that is both registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is not a foreign entity.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a natural person described in paragraph (1)(a) may purchase one residential real property that is up to 2 acres in size if all of the following apply:
(a) The parcel is not on or within 5 miles of any military installation in this state.
(b) The person has a current verified United States Visa that is not limited to authorizing tourist-based travel or official documentation confirming that the person has been granted asylum in the United States and such visa or documentation authorizes the person to be legally present within this state.
(c) The purchase is in the name of the person who holds the visa or official documentation described in paragraph (b).
(3) A person or entity described in paragraph (1)(a) that directly or indirectly owns or acquires any interest in real property in this state before July 1, 2023, may continue to own or hold such real property, but may not purchase or otherwise acquire by grant, devise, or descent any additional real property in this state.
(4)(a) A person or entity described in paragraph (1)(a), subsection (2), or subsection (5) must register with the Department of Commerce if the person or entity owns or acquires more than a de minimus indirect interest in real property in this state. The department must establish a form for such registration which, at a minimum, must include all of the following:
1. The name of the owner of the real property.
2. The address of the real property, the property appraiser’s parcel identification number, and the property’s legal description.
(b) A person or entity that fails to timely file a registration with the department is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each day that the registration is late. The person or entity subject to the registration requirements must register the property or property interests owned or acquired before July 1, 2023, by December 31, 2023. The registration is considered to be late 30 days after January 31, 2024. A person or entity that owns or acquires real property or an interest in real property as authorized under subsection (2) or subsection (5), other than a de minimus indirect interest, on or after July 1, 2023, must register the real property or interest within 30 days after the property or interest is owned or acquired. The department may place a lien against the unregistered real property for the unpaid balance of any penalties assessed under this paragraph.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person or an entity described in paragraph (1)(a) may acquire real property in this state on or after July 1, 2023, by devise or descent, through the enforcement of security interests, or through the collection of debts, provided that the person or entity sells, transfers, or otherwise divests itself of such real property within 3 years after acquiring the real property, unless the person or entity is exempt under s. 692.205.
(6)(a) At the time of purchase, a buyer of real property in this state must provide an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury attesting that the buyer is:
1. Not a person or entity described in paragraph (1)(a) or that the buyer is a person described in paragraph (1)(a) but is authorized under subsection (2) to purchase the subject property; and
2. In compliance with the requirements of this section.
(b) The failure to obtain or maintain the affidavit does not:
1. Affect the title or insurability of the title for the real property; or
2. Subject the closing agent to civil or criminal liability, unless the closing agent has actual knowledge that the transaction will result in a violation of this section.
(c) The Florida Real Estate Commission shall adopt rules to implement this subsection, including rules establishing the form for the affidavit required under this subsection.
(7)(a) If any real property is owned or acquired in violation of this section, the real property may be forfeited to the state.
(b) The Department of Commerce may initiate a civil action in the circuit court of the county in which the property lies for the forfeiture of the real property or any interest therein.
(c) Upon filing such action, the clerk must record a lis pendens in accordance with s. 48.23. The court must advance the cause on the calendar. The defendant may at any time petition to modify or discharge the lis pendens based upon a finding that there is no probable cause to believe that the real property, or any portion thereof, is owned or held in violation of this section.
(d) If the court finds that the real property, or any portion thereof, is owned or held in violation of this section, the court must enter a final judgment of forfeiture vesting title to the real property in this state, subject only to the rights and interests of bona fide lienholders, and such final judgment relates back to the date of the lis pendens.
(e) The department may sell the real property subject to a final judgment of forfeiture. Any proceeds from the sale must first be paid to any lienholders of the land, followed by payment of any outstanding fines assessed pursuant to this section, after which the department must be reimbursed for all costs related to the forfeiture civil action and any costs related to the sale of the land. Any remaining proceeds must be paid to the property owner.
(f) At any time during the forfeiture proceeding, the department may seek an ex parte order of seizure of the real property upon a showing that the defendant’s control of the real property constitutes a clear and present danger to the state.
(8) A violation of this section constitutes a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(9) A person who knowingly sells real property or any interest therein in violation of this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(10) The Department of Commerce shall adopt rules to implement this section.
Consult With An Experienced Real Estate Lawyer In Florida
Florida real estate has long been an attractive investment for international buyers. However, recent changes in Florida law have created serious and unexpected legal consequences for certain foreign purchasers. If you are a Chinese national who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and are now prohibited from completing a real estate purchase under Florida Statutes § 692.204, it is critical to understand that you may still have legal options. Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., has the experience and resources to help affected purchasers terminate contracts and recover their deposit or earnest money.
Call us at 212-256-9513 or complete our online contact form to speak with an experienced Florida real estate attorney. We are ready to help you understand your rights and protect your financial interests.]]>