Verify Any Brazilian Lawyer Free in 2 Minutes
Spot the scam before you sign anything
Por Lucas Ribeiro Cavalcante — OAB/CE 44.673
Verify Any Brazilian Lawyer Free in 2 Minutes
Spot the scam before you sign anything
Por Lucas Ribeiro Cavalcante — OAB/CE 44.673
Your Portuguese is shaky, the fees feel random, and you cannot tell a real lawyer from a fake one. That fear is legitimate. But it is completely manageable once you know one rule.
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No valid OAB number means they cannot legally represent you in court. Full stop.
Every practicing lawyer in Brazil must register with the OAB, the national Bar Association. Without active registration, a person cannot file petitions, appear in court or sign documents for you.
Open cna.oab.org.br
Search by name or OAB number
Confirm status reads Regular
✘ Mito
Myth: a despachante can be your lawyer
✓ Verdade
Truth: they cannot advise or represent you in court
Dica
Watch for Suspenso, Licenciado or Cancelado on the registry. Any of these means the person cannot represent you right now. Scammers also borrow a real OAB number that belongs to someone else.
What should a proper fee agreement contain?
A written contrato de honorarios listing scope, fees and payment terms before you pay a real.
Also confirm the photo and details match the person in front of you. A legitimate lawyer will never hesitate to share their OAB number. If they dodge the question, walk away before transferring money.
Protect yourself before you sign. Get a verified bilingual lawyer who explains every real.