You paid the developer. There's no house, no deed, and nobody answers. Move now.
I'm a litigation attorney in Mérida. I file criminal fraud complaints and breach-of-contract suits against developers and sellers who took the money and didn't deliver.
What's going on
When a developer stops delivering, it's almost always for one of two reasons: they ran out of money, or someone walked away with it. Either way, there is less to recover every month that passes.
That's why speed matters more here than in almost any other kind of case. The buyers who act and apply pressure early are the ones with a real chance of getting their money or their property. The ones who wait for the next promised delivery date are usually at the back of the line.
If the developer has gone quiet, don't wait for the next promise. Get your contract and your receipts together and message me.
How I can help
- File a criminal complaint for fraud against the people responsible.
File a civil suit for breach of contract.
- Run both at the same time and keep the pressure on. One track alone gives the other side room to stall.
- Tell you honestly what there is to recover, before you spend more money chasing it.
What it looks like
An American couple bought a house in Mérida. Three years later they had paid for the property, the fideicomiso and the closing costs in full, and still had no deed and no house. We filed a criminal complaint and a civil suit and brought public attention to the case. They got their deed and their house.
Details are omitted to protect my clients' identities. Every case is different, and this one doesn't predict yours.
How it works
- You send me your contracts and your proof of payment. Those two things are the case.
- We talk. I tell you which actions fit, against whom, and what I think can realistically be recovered.
- You grant a power of attorney if you're outside Mexico, before a notary or at a Mexican consulate.
- I file and push. You get updates as things happen.
What it costs
The consultation: US$100 · 45 minutes, by video call or in person.
The case: a flat fee, quoted in writing before any work starts. You know the full cost from day one.
What to have ready
- Every contract you signed, in whatever form you have it
- Proof of every payment: transfers, receipts, bank statements
- The developer's company name and the names of the people you dealt with
- Emails and messages where delivery dates were promised
- The name of the notary, if one was involved
Who handles your case
Javier Quezada, litigation attorney in Mérida with 15 years of practice (cédula profesional 6462824). About 90% of my work is in court. I handle federal cases throughout Mexico.
Frequently asked questions
The developer keeps giving me new delivery dates. Should I wait?
No. Waiting helps the developer, not you.
All I have is a PDF of the contract.
Send it anyway. In practice a PDF won't get you far in a Mexican court on its own, so the first thing I do is tell you what you have and what's missing.
Is this a criminal matter or a civil one?
Usually both. Fraud is reported to the prosecutor and the breach of contract is sued in civil court.
How long does it take?
These are long cases. In the best scenario, six months to a year. I'd rather you hear that now than after you've hired me.
I'm not in Mexico. Do I need to travel?
Not necessarily. You can act through a power of attorney.
The property is outside Yucatán.
I take cases anywhere in Mexico.