Real estate investment north american investors Messina

I am Lawyer Liliana L'Aurora, registered with the Bar Association of Latina, with experience in business distress law and over-indebtedness, in compliance with the Business Distress Code. Crisis Manager in over-indebtedness procedures and insolvency proceedings. I am also registered with the Register of Crisis Managers and the OCC at the Bar Association of Latina.

I have acquired extensive experience working at the De Felice Law Firm, with particular focus on bankruptcy proceedings and real estate sales. I offer legal consultation in the following areas: commercial law, family law, debt recovery, civil liability.

Graduated in Law from La Sapienza University in Rome, I continue to train through advanced specialisation courses, including those on business distress issues.

I provide remote legal assistance throughout the Country, using advanced digital tools to ensure a safe and agile service at a distance.

• Does the law firm handle legal matters related to Messina?
  • The firm provides specialised legal counsel on matters involving Messina and the surrounding territory — irrespective of the client's place of residence.
  • From property disputes to local regulations, employment law to family matters: should a case be connected to Messina or neighbouring municipalities such as Campo Calabro, Fiumara, Saponara, the firm is available to assist.
  • Consultations are conducted remotely via video call or telephone, without the need to attend the office in person.
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• Can legal assistance be obtained for a matter involving Messina without residing there?
  • The firm handles legal matters connected to the territory of Messina and surrounding municipalities, regardless of where the client is based.
  • Cases involving local real estate, commercial activities, contracts, inheritance and disputes tied to the following areas are fully covered: Campo Calabro, Fiumara, Saponara, Calanna, Roccavaldina, Laganadi, Valdina, Rometta, San Roberto, Villa San Giovanni.
  • The firm is available to provide qualified legal assistance tailored to each specific situation.
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• Does the firm provide legal assistance for over-indebtedness and debt crisis procedures connected to Messina?
  • The firm offers specialised legal assistance for over-indebtedness procedures under Italian Law No. 3/2012 and the Business Crisis Code (D.Lgs. 14/2019), assisting both private individuals and sole traders connected to the Messina area.
  • Available procedures include the debt restructuring plan, the consumer arrangement, and the controlled liquidation of assets — instruments designed to provide a lawful and structured resolution to situations of financial distress.
  • Clients residing in or holding assets within Campo Calabro, Fiumara, Saponara, Calanna, Roccavaldina, Laganadi, Valdina, Rometta, San Roberto, Villa San Giovanni and surrounding municipalities may access these procedures with the support of the firm.
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INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS REQUIRING REAL ESTATE AND INHERITANCE LAW ASSISTANCE IN MESSINA

• Selling inherited Italian property from abroad — Messina and Messina
  • A non-resident heir wishing to sell inherited property in Messina faces a series of procedural requirements that must be addressed before any transfer can occur. These include completion of the succession declaration, cadastral alignment, resolution of any building code irregularities, and procurement of the required energy performance certificate. The heir must obtain an Italian tax identification number and may grant a power of attorney to enable the firm to act on their behalf before the notary public. Capital gains taxation for non-resident sellers is governed by specific provisions, and applicable bilateral tax treaties must be considered to avoid double taxation in the country of residence.
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• Purchasing property in Messina as a British citizen after Brexit
  • Since the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, British nationals seeking to acquire real estate in Messina must navigate a distinct regulatory framework. Reciprocity conditions under Italian law must be verified, tax identification must be obtained, and the conveyancing procedure differs markedly from the English system of solicitors and land registry. Furthermore, post-Brexit residence considerations apply where the purchaser intends to reside in the property for extended periods. The firm is available to assist UK clients at each stage of the acquisition process in the Messina area, from preliminary due diligence and building compliance verification through to notarial deed execution.
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• Real estate acquisition near Messina for German and Swiss buyers
  • German and Swiss nationals represent a significant share of foreign property purchasers in Sicilia. Whether acquiring a primary residence, a holiday home, or an investment property in the Messina area, the purchaser must contend with Italian conveyancing procedures, cadastral verifications, building compliance assessments, and a taxation framework distinct from that of Germany or Switzerland. The bilateral conventions for the avoidance of double taxation between Italy and each country have direct implications for property income and capital gains. The firm offers dedicated assistance in German legal terminology where required, with the aim of supporting the client's interests from preliminary inquiry through to registration.
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• Italian property inheritance for US and Canadian heirs in Messina
  • A United States or Canadian citizen who has inherited real property in Messina or in the province of Messina is required to complete the Italian succession procedure, regardless of residence abroad. The process entails filing a declaration of succession with the competent Revenue Agency, settling applicable inheritance taxes — which differ substantially from US estate tax provisions — and registering the transfer with the local land registry. Where building code violations affect the property, preliminary regularisation may be necessary before any disposition. Remote assistance may be provided for the principal procedural steps, which may allow the heir to fulfil obligations without travelling to Sicilia, depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
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• Inherited property in Messina — assistance for Argentine and Brazilian heirs
  • Descendants of Italian emigrants residing in Argentina or Brazil frequently inherit property in Messina or neighbouring municipalities in Messina. In many instances, the succession chain involves multiple generations and requires reconstruction of civil status documentation across Italian and South American registries. The firm regularly handles cases involving apostilled foreign documents, consular certificates, and multi-party successions where co-heirs reside on different continents. Where the inherited property is encumbered by debts or building irregularities, the firm advises on acceptance with benefit of inventory under Articles 484 and following of the Italian Civil Code, or on strategic renunciation under Article 519 of the Italian Civil Code.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS IN MESSINA

• What happens if inherited property in Messina has building code violations?
  • Building irregularities must generally be resolved before the property can be sold or mortgaged. Options include applying for a sanatoria (retroactive building permit) where the violation is eligible for regularisation, or demolition and restoration to the approved state. The firm assesses the nature of the violation and advises on available remediation options, which vary depending on the type and extent of the irregularity.
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• What taxes apply when a non-resident inherits property in Messina?
  • Inheritance tax in Italy is determined by the degree of kinship between the deceased and the heir, with rates ranging from four to eight percent and applicable exemption thresholds. Non-resident heirs are subject to the same rates as residents. Additionally, cadastral and mortgage taxes apply at the time of succession registration. Bilateral tax treaties may affect whether the inheritance is also taxable in the heir's country of residence.
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• Is a power of attorney sufficient to complete a property sale in Messina without being present?
  • A non-resident owner may grant a special power of attorney (procura speciale notarile) to an appointed representative, enabling the sale of property in Messina without the owner's physical presence at the notarial deed. The power of attorney must be executed before an Italian consulate abroad or before a foreign notary with subsequent apostille and sworn translation.
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• Can a foreign citizen purchase property in Messina without Italian residency?
  • Yes, subject to the verification of reciprocity conditions under Italian law. Citizens of countries with which Italy maintains reciprocity agreements — including the United States, the United Kingdom, and all EU member states — may acquire real property in Messina without holding Italian residency. The purchaser must obtain an Italian fiscal code prior to the transaction.
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