Thread: Question about land certificate

Since 2002 my wife and I own a piece of land in Bali. Since 2005 a second. My wife is balinese. We live in the Netherlands, but although she can she didnt apply for dutch nationality, so she is still indonesian.

The land certificates are all in name of my wife, wich is normal. The strange thing (and thats a question for us both) is that on the certificate is stated that we were not married when my wife bought the land. This is not true. We are married since mid 2001. Is this normal? If not what problems could arise?

(I assume non at the moment cause we are very happily married).

Iain, for the time being, you might be better off with the land certificate as it is.

Although I have no first hand experience with this, I have heard from time to time that the land rights of an Indonesian woman married to a non Indonesian are not the same as if she were single, or married to another Indonesian who pre-deceased her.

Hopefully the new law regarding citizenship matters recently passed will change all of that.

Thanks for the answer Roy. We dont worry alot about it, but we just wondered why this was. Also we both dont really trust the notary in my wife's village (has something to do with a small dispute between her father and him). But like I hear from you its not uncommon and we will just wait. I wont cause a problem now and we dont have active plans for the land (except that I take home vanilla every time when I fly away from bali :lol: )

Also we both dont really trust the notary in my wife's village (has something to do with a small dispute between her father and him). But like I hear from you its not uncommon and we will just wait.

Yes, these little "inter-kampung" disputes can be a royal pain in the butt.

If I can just say, hindsight always being 20/20, I would never use a notaris from any village where any land transaction is to take place. Moreover, I have never used a notaris at all...rather, full on attorneys.

While the use of an attorney costs more, the advantage is that they can argue your case in court....should anything ever happen to bring it there. Notaris can act as a witness, but they cannot argue a case before the justice tribunal.

It’s funny though, as each and every one of us has to do some serious soul searching.

At this point in my life, it doesn’t seem important anymore to protect myself. I just want to enjoy my totally wonderful wife, our three God gifted boys, and all that Bali and our modest village has to offer our happiness and fulfillment in life.

Eight years on...and I’m still 100% intoxicated by the mistress Bali, and all she has brought into my life.

I think your last comments are really true and my question was more out of curiosity than out of finding a way to protect us or something like that. Although I dont know how really living in Bali would be, I know I fell in love with asia when I was 16 (in HK) and that till now Bali felt more as a home than any other place in the world (it helps that my wife is a true balinese). So when I finally can live in Bali I will only enjoy the island and give as much as possible to Bali (but preferably in spending so that Balinese people earn money and not in taxes :lol: ).

Thanks again for your answers.

I know I fell in love with asia when I was 16 (in HK) and that till now Bali felt more as a home than any other place in the world (it helps that my wife is a true balinese). So when I finally can live in Bali I will only enjoy the island and give as much as possible to Bali (but preferably in spending so that Balinese people earn money and not in taxes

That all sounds very good to me, and I wish you and your Balinese lady (wife). all the best when you find Bali to be home. I have to admit though, a bit of a chuckle. when you wrote, “true Balinese.” I guess it never occurred to me that there might be “untrue” or fake Balinese running around here.

Ok, forget that word. Maybe I meant with that that she had a very strong connection with her homeland and her family (as most asian and particulary indonesians).

No need Iain for that last post. How many Balinese do you think would be happy living in Belanda for a long time?

I didn't mean to "pick on" The Netherlands...so you can expand my question to just about anywhere outside of Bali, (including other parts of Indonesia) you can think of.

I didnt see it like that. The Netherlands is a very nice country to work (in some areas). The laws are clear. Notarys can be trusted (in general). But for not working and for "real" living I would prefer asia. By the way. I read alot of posts here (already long before I was a member) and think it is THE best source if you want to learn something about Bali. Especially becuase of the lot different point of views. Really like it. i will stick around on the forum from here for the next 4 years. After that I hope that I can start giving back some info about Bali from my experience there.