Lawyers in Fernando de la Mora: how to choose and what they charge

To choose a lawyer in Fernando de la Mora, first work out which court your case belongs to (civil, labour, family and children, criminal), ask for the lawyer's bar registration number and agree the fee in writing before you sign a power of attorney. Since 30 September 2026 the city's first-instance courts sit in a new complex in the Ita Ka'aguy neighbourhood, so a lawyer who regularly litigates in Central department will know exactly where your file goes.

What kind of lawyer do you need?

Sum up your case in one sentence and match it to a court. The new Fernando de la Mora judicial complex, on the block bounded by Jerusalén, Pueblo Fernandino, Olimpo and Humaitá streets, brings almost all of them together (Paraguayan Judiciary⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠):

• Civil and commercial: debts, contracts, rentals, inheritance. There are four civil and commercial courts.
• Labour: dismissals, unpaid wages or the aguinaldo (13th-month pay). There are two labour courts.
• Children and adolescents: child support, custody and contact, paternity. There are four courts.
• Criminal: if you are charged or want to bring a private complaint. Nine pre-trial (garantías) courts and four trial courts operate there.
• Justice of the Peace (Juzgado de Paz): in block D of the same site, separate from the first-instance courts; among other things it handles domestic violence cases (Paraguayan Judiciary⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

Look for someone who works in that field day to day. A lawyer who handles inheritance is not automatically the right person for a dismissal claim.

How do you check someone is really a lawyer?

To represent you in court, a lawyer must be registered with the Supreme Court of Justice⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠. Ask for the registration number (matrícula) and ID card before signing a power of attorney or paying a retainer. With a larger firm, also ask who will handle your case day to day and who you will talk to.

How much do lawyers charge in Paraguay?

Fees are governed by Law 1376/88⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠, the fee schedule for lawyers and court agents:

• Lawyers may set their fee in a written contract (art. 13). Without one, the law's scales apply (art. 1).
• An oral consultation is set at a minimum of five daily minimum wages (jornales) per hour (art. 69). The jornal changes with each wage adjustment, so ask for the figure in guaraníes.
• With a contingency fee (cuota litis), the agreement cannot take more than 45% of the client's net result from the case (art. 16).

At the first meeting, get in writing what the fee covers, which costs are extra (court fees, copies, notices) and when each part is due.

What if you can't afford a lawyer?

• Public Defence: the Ministerio de la Defensa Pública gives free advice and representation to people who cannot pay a private lawyer, in civil, labour, criminal, children's and administrative cases. In 2020 it launched line 133, open 7:00 to 23:00 every day, which passes your case to the duty defender or a mediator (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).
• Mediation: Fernando de la Mora has one of the Judiciary's six mediation offices in Central department, alongside Luque, Limpio, Lambaré, Capiatá and San Lorenzo (Paraguayan Judiciary⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). For small debts, disputes with neighbours or family agreements, ask your lawyer whether mediation is worth trying first.

How to prepare for the first meeting

• Write a timeline with dates: when the problem began, which notices you received and what deadlines you were given. Labour and criminal deadlines run fast.
• Bring your ID, contracts, receipts, WhatsApp screenshots and any court notices, in date order.
• Ask about next steps, how long a case like yours usually takes and how you will be kept informed.
• Don't sign a power of attorney or pay a retainer until the fee is in writing.

If what you need is accounting, tax or setting up a company rather than a court case, our guide to business advisers in Fernando de la Mora is the better fit.