Nearly twenty years ago, Argentine attorney Maria Marta Calderon arrived in South Florida with a dream to practice law in the United States. Today, as founder of Calderon Law Firm, she advises prominent developers and Family Offices on cross-border asset protection. In an exclusive interview, she breaks down the legal anatomy of real estate and the core keys to protecting Latin American capital in Florida.
According to Calderon, the most severe mistake Latin American entrepreneurs make is assuming that U.S. rules work the same as in their home countries. They often rely on non-specialized advisors, leading to legal liabilities, tax exposure, and complications with FIRPTA. She emphasizes that a properly structured property can build generational wealth, while an improperly structured one can become a million-dollar liability.
Calderon warns against purchasing real estate under personal names, as it can trigger federal estate tax for non-resident aliens and create direct personal exposure to lawsuits. She advocates for corporate or fiduciary structures that limit liability and facilitate family succession. Her firm designs structures that protect not only the investment but also the family's legacy.
In commercial real estate, Calderon sees opportunities in mixed-use developments, logistics centers, multifamily housing, data centers, and tech-driven projects. She stresses that due diligence varies by property type—for example, analyzing a data center requires reviewing power grid infrastructure and energy redundancy. Her role is to guide foreign investors through every stage, ensuring they remain protected and properly structured.
Calderon, a licensed attorney in both Argentina and the U.S., notes the cultural and legal contrasts between the Civil Law system used in Latin America and the Common Law system in the U.S. She acts as a bridge, helping clients navigate both worlds and capitalize on the legal certainty that the American system offers. She advises investors to surround themselves with excellent advisors and never sign anything under pressure or without full understanding.
For more insights, visit Calderon Law Firm and the Argentine-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida.
