Legal Archives - Focus On Mexico

Getting Your Mexican Resident Visa

Once you are within no longer than six months of your proposed date to move to Mexico, the next step is to apply for either a temporary or permanent resident visa at the Mexican consulate nearest to you in your home country. While the process may seem daunting at first, it is rather straightforward at most (but not all) Mexican consulates. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that some consulates are easier to deal with than others, and much like any other process involving government bureaucracy, patience and calm will help you navigate the visa process. The consulates vary widely in their … [Read more...]

We All Come Here To Die!

or...People come to Lakeside to die and forget because they are so busy living! Both sayings are true as most expats who move Lakeside enjoy full lives and make significant contributions to the community. But the day comes for all of us when it's time to move on to the next stage of our journey. One of the best things about Mexico is the healthy attitude towards death and dying. People mourn for their loved ones like everywhere in the world, but there is a more general acceptance of death as part of the process. How to Prepare for Death As An Expat in Mexico Many expats moving to … [Read more...]

Getting Your Dog or Cat Into Mexico

At our latest Focus on Mexico learning seminar, we were fortunate to have a presentation by a FOCUS alumni who is an accredited veterinarian and moved to Mexico with his pets. He was kind enough to allow us to share this information with you. What are the requirements to bring my pet to Mexico? The U.S. and Mexico have agreements on the movement of many things across the border including pets. Basic requirements that are continually updated can be found at the USDA website. What is an Accredited Veterinarian? An accredited veterinarian is one that has completed training through the USDA … [Read more...]

Is Traveling to Guadalajara During Mexican Election Season Advisable?

This is an election year and presidential elections in Mexico usually imply an uptick in violence between warring factions, such as the May 20 violence in Guadalajara fully reported on by the international press. The chances of expats being caught in the crossfire are low and the Mexico constitution provides specific guidance about foreign involvement in Mexican politics. It's always good in an election year to be reminded of our rights and responsibilities as foreigners and this article from the Yucatan Times spells it out for … [Read more...]

Inheritance Wills for Assets in Mexico

If you decide to live in Mexico and accrue some assets, then you need to consider a Will. A regular Will covers your worldwide assets and can be made either in your home country or in Mexico. An issue with a regular Will is that “cross border” probate can be very complicated. In Mexico, you can have a legacy Will which only covers your assets in Mexico and your regular Will covers your assets in your home country Some assets can be passed on to your heirs by including them on title (in case of a property) or including them as a named signatory (for bank accounts/investment … [Read more...]