KAREN DORCY • PANAMA-LICENSED ABOGADA (NO. 10179)
Your English-speaking lawyer in Panama.
Welcome to the Fischer & Cie. Private Office. Legal advice for international clients moving to, investing in or doing business in Panama. Independent. Clear. Digital-first.
PRACTICAL LEGAL SUPPORT
Legal services in Panama
Choose the support your matter needs. Clear scope, direct communication and fees agreed before we begin.
Property | Investment
Buying property in Panama? Obtain independent legal advice on title, contracts and payment arrangements before you commit.
Disputes | Private law
Advice on contractual disputes, suspected fraud, wills and inheritance, with the scope of representation agreed for your particular matter.
THE PRIVATE OFFICE APPROACH.
Personal service. Direct legal advice.
An international move or investment needs a sound legal foundation. You need to understand your options, the documents required and who will handle the work.
Fischer & Cie. brings these elements together. Your Panama legal work is led by Karen Dorcy, a licensed Abogada. We combine direct access and digital communication with clearly defined responsibilities.
From a contract review to a residency application, you can instruct us for an agreed individual service or a broader matter. We work in English, Spanish and German, with fees set out before work begins.
How we work with international clients:
- Clear scope and fees
Individual services or broader support, with a fixed fee or hourly basis agreed for your matter. - Direct communication
Speak with us in English by video call, email or WhatsApp. Receive clear explanations of the decisions you need to make. - Professional confidentiality
Legal work is handled under the professional duties that apply to Karen Dorcy as a Panama-licensed Abogada.
What to clarify before you instruct us
A clear engagement starts with the right questions.
| Matter | What we clarify | Our approach |
|---|---|---|
| Legal responsibility | Who will advise you and carry out the work? | Direct legal advice. Your Panama legal matter is led by Karen Dorcy, a licensed Abogada. |
| Scope and confidentiality | Which services are included, and who needs access to your information? | A defined engagement. Agreed responsibilities and the professional duties applying to your legal work. |
| Property purchase | What needs checking before you sign or transfer funds? | Independent review. Title, seller authority, contracts and payment arrangements within the agreed scope. |
| Fees and expenses | What will the work cost, and which third-party charges are additional? | Transparent fees. A fixed fee or hourly basis, with expenses and exclusions explained in advance. |
| Ongoing support | What happens after the initial matter is completed? | Support by agreement. Further legal work or coordination can be instructed as your needs develop. |
YOUR LAWYER IN PANAMA.
Karen Dorcy, Abogada.
I am Karen Dorcy. As a Panama-licensed Abogada, I advise international clients on their legal affairs in Panama and work in your interests.
Moving country, establishing a company or buying property involves decisions across different legal systems. With a law degree from Leibniz University Hannover, I understand the importance of explaining Panama’s requirements in a way you can use.
We can begin with a video consultation wherever you live. Before you proceed, we clarify which steps can be handled remotely and where original documents, signatures or a visit to Panama may be needed.
Idoneidad No. 10179
Professional registration: Panama Supreme Court of Justice.
Discuss your plans with Karen
Tell us what you want to achieve in Panama, your nationality and where you currently live. We will use the first conversation to understand your matter and explain the appropriate next steps.
CLEAR ANSWERS.
Frequently asked questions
Your legal work is led by Karen Dorcy, a Panama-licensed Abogada. We check the proposed route, supporting evidence and representation required for your application. The immigration authority assesses eligibility and makes the decision; no adviser can guarantee approval.
Company formation can often be prepared and handled remotely, subject to identification, signature and document requirements. We clarify the structure, resident-agent services and ongoing obligations before you instruct us. Opening a bank account is a separate process: the bank sets its own requirements and may request an interview or personal visit. See our companies and foundations services.
It means preparing an alternative residence or legal base that fits your circumstances. This may involve residency, a company, banking or property advice. Each has separate requirements: owning property or a company does not automatically grant residence, a bank account or a particular tax status. The right scope depends on your objectives and obligations in other countries.
The appropriate route depends on your nationality, pension, employment, investment and family circumstances.
Friendly Nations: Eligible nationals must also meet a qualifying economic basis. Citizenship alone is not enough. See the Friendly Nations Visa guide.
Pensionado: A route based on a qualifying pension, with evidence and family requirements to check. Read about the Pensionado Visa.
Qualified Investor: An investment-based route with its own eligibility and evidence requirements. Compare the options in our Panama residency overview.
Residence, permission to work and tax residence are separate questions. We clarify them before recommending a route.
Requirements depend on the bank, account type, your nationality and residence, and the intended use of the account. Expect identification and information about your income, source of funds and tax residence. A bank may request further documents or an interview and decides whether to accept the application. See our Panama bank account guide for the preparation process. No approval is guaranteed.
Arrange independent legal review before making a binding commitment or transferring funds. Depending on the property and transaction, this can include registered title, seller authority, restrictions, the purchase contract and payment arrangements. Agree the scope of due diligence and any specialist checks in advance. Read about our property law services.
No. Immigration residence and tax residence are different, and the treatment of income depends on its source and the applicable rules. Obligations in your current or former country may continue. US citizens and US tax residents generally remain subject to US worldwide-income rules even while living abroad. Obtain coordinated tax advice before changing your residence or business structure.
The checklist depends on the route and your circumstances. It commonly includes a passport, criminal-record evidence and proof of the qualifying pension, employment or investment; family certificates may be needed for dependants. Issuing-country and residence history can affect the requirements. Foreign documents may need an apostille or consular legalisation, and an authorised Spanish translation. Confirm the exact checklist and document validity before ordering documents. Start with our residency overview.
Yes. We advise clients in English, Spanish and German. Official procedures and documents in Panama generally use Spanish. We explain the legal issues and next steps in English and arrange certified translations where required. Translation scope, provider responsibilities and additional costs are clarified for your matter.
Let’s plan your next steps in Panama.
Request a confidential video consultation or arrange an appointment in Panama. Share a brief outline of your matter so we can prepare for the conversation.