"Lawyers in the DR can only be compared to USED CAR Salesmen in the US. So many are crooked."
At least when you buy a used car, you see what you get for the most part. In real estate dealings in the DR you often buy a piece of paper, which may or may not be worthless. Many titles of property in the DR are not registered, so when buying a property its very possible for 'heirs' from previous owners or other people who claim to have paid for the same property to show up.
Only a good AND honest lawyer can prevent a mess, and lawyers with both qualities are very hard to find in this country.