Buying Property in Eastern Sicily

Translation for your property purchase

Property, legal and notarial documentation

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We translate from Italian into English and from English into Italian, including:

• purchase offers;

• preliminary sale agreements;

• deeds of sale;

• powers of attorney;

• previous title deeds;

• property records;

• cadastral and mortgage-related documentation;

• banking and mortgage documentation;

• personal and tax documents;

• corporate documents;

• inheritance and succession documents;

• technical reports and documentation;

• legal and notarial correspondence.

 

The appropriate form of translation is determined according to the intended use of the document and the requirements of the professional, authority or organisation receiving it.

Where required for the specific procedure, legal, certified or sworn translations can be prepared.

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Interpreting for meetings and notarial deeds

The firm provides interpreting in English for meetings with:

• lawyers;

• notaries;

• technical professionals;

• estate agents;

• other professionals involved in the property transaction.

 

Language assistance can also be arranged for remote meetings.

Where interpreting is required for the execution of a notarial deed, the service is organised in coordination with the notary's office and in accordance with the requirements of the specific transaction.

LEGAL & NOTARIAL INTERPRETING

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Document coordination

The firm can follow the documentary flow of the transaction and assist the client in organising the documents requested by the different professionals involved.

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The service may include:

• collecting and organising documents for translation;

• managing different versions and annexes;

• identifying language requirements;

• coordinating translations requested by the lawyer or notary;

• arranging meetings requiring interpreting;

• managing the language aspects of powers of attorney and documents issued abroad;

• transmitting documentation to the professionals identified by the client;

• coordinating deadlines relating to language and document services.

• Independent legal advice and specialist checks

 

The buyer's lawyer

Where the client requires specific legal protection, they may directly appoint a lawyer who collaborates with the practice or instruct a professional of their own choice.

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Depending on the scope of the engagement, the appointed lawyer may deal with matters including:

• review of legal documentation relating to the property;

• assessment of the purchase offer;

• review or preparation of the preliminary agreement;

• assessment of contractual clauses and conditions;

• assistance during negotiations;

• legal checks included within the agreed engagement;

• identification of potential legal issues;

• assistance in the stages preceding completion.

 

The scope of the legal services is agreed directly between the client and the appointed lawyer.

The lawyer acts independently, assumes responsibility for their own professional services and invoices the client directly.

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The notary

The notary independently carries out the checks and formalities falling within their professional role.

Stefania can coordinate with the notary regarding the language and documentary aspects of the transaction, including:

• identification documents;

• documents issued abroad;

• translations;

• powers of attorney;

• interpreting requirements;

• documentation required for completion.

The professional relationship with the notary remains direct and separate.

 

Technical professionals

Technical matters remain separate from language and legal services.

Checks relating, for example, to:

• planning;

• building compliance;

• cadastral matters;

• structural condition;

• installations;

• the physical condition of the property

are carried out by the surveyor, architect, engineer or other appropriately qualified technical professional appointed directly by the client.

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If the client does not already have a technical professional, the practice can, on request, introduce one or more trusted qualified professionals with whom it collaborates.

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The professional selected by the client acts independently, assumes responsibility for their own services and invoices the client directly.

Stefania can coordinate the relevant documentation and translate reports, communications or other technical documents where required.

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What happens if an issue is identified?

A documentary issue does not necessarily mean that the transaction cannot proceed.

Where the available documentation raises a matter requiring legal, notarial or technical investigation, the practice helps the client identify the appropriate professional and organise the documentation that needs to be reviewed.

The appointed professional then assesses the nature of the issue, its implications and any possible solutions within the scope of their professional engagement.

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Your purchase, stage by stage

1. Before making an offer

If you have identified a property, tell us:

• where it is located;

• the link to the property listing;

• which documents you have already received;

• whether an offer is waiting to be signed;

• any known deadlines;

• the languages required.

Stefania organises the necessary translations and, if requested, coordination with a lawyer before the client enters into contractual commitments.

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2. Purchase offer and negotiations

We can translate:

• the purchase offer;

• communications from the estate agent;

• supporting documentation;

• amendments or additional documents.

If the client requires legal advice on the proposed terms, this service is provided by the lawyer directly appointed by the client.

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3. Preparing the preliminary agreement

The firm can provide:

• translation of drafts;

• translation of annexes;

• consistent contractual terminology;

• interpreting during meetings;

• document coordination with the professionals involved.

The lawyer deals with the legal matters covered by their engagement, while the technical professional carries out the checks falling within their own remit.

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4. Preparing for completion

The practice coordinates with the notary regarding the language requirements for completion.

The service may include:

• translation of requested documents;

• language management of powers of attorney;

• translation of documents issued abroad;

• preparation for interpreting;

• coordination of the relevant language versions;

• organisation of appointments requiring language assistance.

 

5. Signing the notarial deed

Where required, interpreting in English can be provided during the notarial appointment in accordance with the arrangements made with the notary.

 

6. After completion

If deeds, notarial copies, certificates or other documentation need to be translated after completion, language services can continue after the transaction has been finalised.

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Buying property while living abroad

Many preparatory steps can be organised remotely.

The client can submit documentation electronically and participate in meetings by video conference.

Where appropriate, certain steps may also be carried out through a representative acting under a power of attorney.

Whether a power of attorney can be used, its form and any required formalities must be assessed with the notary and, where appropriate, the appointed lawyer.

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Powers of attorney signed abroad

Where a power of attorney is executed outside Italy, specific requirements may apply concerning:

• the form of the document;

• authentication;

• legalisation or Apostille;

• translation.

The procedure depends on the country in which the document is executed, the type of power of attorney, the notary's instructions and the specific property transaction.

Stefania can manage the language and documentary aspects of the procedure.

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Non-EU buyers

For some purchasers who are nationals of countries outside the European Union, additional checks may be relevant to the specific transaction.

Where applicable, these matters are assessed by the notary and the other competent professionals on the basis of the individual case.

It is therefore useful to provide the buyer's nationality and country of residence at an early stage.

Choose the support pathway that matches your purchase

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PROPERTY START

You have found a property and want to organise the first steps correctly

May include:

• initial language and document assessment;

• organisation of the available documentation;

• translation of initial documents;

• language support for communications;

• identification of further documentary requirements;

• preliminary coordination.

REQUEST PROPERTY START

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PROPERTY LEGAL CHECK

You are considering signing an offer or preliminary agreement

This option is designed for clients who wish to combine the practice's language and document services with a specific legal assessment by a lawyer directly appointed by them.

The pathway may include:

• document translation;

• translation of the purchase offer;

• translation of the preliminary agreement;

• coordination with the appointed lawyer;

• legal review agreed directly with the lawyer;

• coordination with the notary and technical professional;

• interpreting during meetings.

The lawyer's engagement, professional responsibility and invoice remain separate from those of the practice.

REQUEST PROPERTY LEGAL CHECK

 

PROPERTY COMPLETE

One operational point of contact from negotiations through completion

Designed particularly for international buyers who live abroad and do not wish to manage translations, documentation and communication with several professionals independently.

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Stefania Posa remains the language and document point of contact throughout the transaction, coordinating the activities required at the different stages of the purchase.

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The pathway may include:

• organisation of the documentation received;

• translation of purchase offers, preliminary agreements, powers of attorney and notarial documents;

• coordination of language versions;

• document communication with the appointed lawyer;

• coordination with the technical professional regarding documentation within their remit;

• language and document coordination with the notary's office;

• organisation of meetings;

• interpreting with lawyers, notaries, technical professionals and estate agents;

• language preparation for completion;

• notarial interpreting;

• translation of final documentation.

 

Where a matter requires legal, notarial or technical assessment, the practice helps the client identify the appropriate professional and coordinates the transmission of the relevant documentation.

The client therefore has one operational point of contact, while each professional retains their own engagement, professional responsibility and independent invoicing.

REQUEST PROPERTY COMPLETE

 

Separate engagements, responsibilities and invoices

Clear professional roles are an integral part of the service.

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Stefania Posa
Translation, interpreting and language/document coordination.

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Appointed lawyer
Legal advice and assistance within the scope of the engagement agreed directly with the client.

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Notary
Notarial services and checks falling within the notary's professional role.

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Appointed technical professional
Planning, building, cadastral, structural and other technical checks included within their professional engagement.

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Each professional remains responsible for their own services and invoices the client directly.

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Your contact in Sicily

Stefania Posa — Lawyer linguist

Stefania Posa has a legal background and previous experience in legal practice and has worked for more than ten years with legal translations and official documentation.

Her professional training also includes recognised notarial training, contributing to her familiarity with the structure, function and terminology of notarial deeds and property documentation.

The practice directly provides language and document services in Italian and English and acts as the client's point of coordination throughout the different stages of the transaction.

Any legal advice or legal representation is provided by lawyers directly appointed by the client.

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Frequently asked questions

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Can I use your services if I already have a lawyer, notary or technical professional?

Yes.

You can engage the practice solely for translation, interpreting and the agreed document coordination services.

We can work with the professionals you have already chosen.

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Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Italy?

Legal assistance is separate from the notarial role and depends on the buyer's needs and the circumstances of the specific transaction.

A buyer may choose to appoint their own lawyer to receive advice specifically directed to their interests, particularly before entering into contractual commitments.

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Can my purchase offer be reviewed before I sign it?

Yes.

The practice can translate the document and organise the relevant documentation.

If you require legal advice on its clauses, obligations or risks, you can separately appoint a lawyer to review it before signature.

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Can I buy property while living abroad?

Many preparatory steps can be organised online.

Whether a power of attorney can be used and what requirements apply to documents executed abroad should be confirmed with the notary and the other professionals involved.

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Does every document need a sworn translation?

No.

The required form depends on the type of document, its intended use and the recipient's requirements.

Instructions from the notary, bank, authority or other relevant professional are considered before the final translation is prepared.

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Can you arrange a surveyor or other technical professional?

If you already have a trusted technical professional, Stefania can coordinate directly with them regarding the relevant documentation.

If you do not have one, Stefania can, on request, introduce a qualified professional with whom it collaborates.

The technical professional is appointed directly by the client, acts independently and invoices their services separately.

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Can you carry out planning or cadastral checks yourselves?

No.

Technical checks are carried out by the appropriately qualified professional appointed by the client.

The practice can organise and translate documentation relating to those checks and coordinate the language aspects with the technical professional.

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Can I use only part of the service?

Yes.

You may request a single translation, interpreting for a particular meeting, document coordination for one stage of the transaction or a broader support pathway such as Property Start, Property Legal Check or Property Complete.

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How much does the service cost?

The quotation depends on:

• the documents to be translated;

• languages;

• volume and complexity of the documentation;

• meetings;

• interpreting;

• the document coordination required.

Legal advice, notarial services and technical checks are quoted and invoiced separately by the relevant professionals.

Taxes, duties and other transaction expenses are separate from professional fees.

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How long does the process take?

Delivery times for the practice's services are stated in the quotation.

The overall property-purchase timeline depends on the available documentation, the checks required, the complexity of the transaction and the arrangements of the parties and professionals involved.

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Have you already found a property?

For an initial assessment, tell us:

town or area · property-listing link · stage of negotiations · documents already received · languages required · any deadlines

If you have already received a purchase offer or draft preliminary agreement, mention this in your message.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PURCHASE

MESSAGE US ON WHATSAPP

Email: avv.posa@hotmail.it
Phone and WhatsApp: +39 329 842 9140
Practice: Corso Italia 298, Catania — visits by appointment.