Forms for NVC - Ok, how long should this take, really

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I'm sure you will all tell me this is taking long because we have a lawyer. But it's done. I didn't know about VJ at the time. I paid both the AOS and Visa bills a month ago. I emailed the lawyer 2 weeks ago and asked when I should come in to sign the Affidavit of Support. She answered, "I usually don’t prepare it until the NVC requests it so that it is current." My question is, if she is waiting for the request, how long does it normally take?

[Ryan H 3,810]

Your lawyer is needlessly waiting on the NVC; furthermore, waiting for the NVC to make contact equals waiting a very long time. Once the payment on the bills has gone through, the paperwork can be submitted.

[Alaska2012 462]

When I read about some lawyers I feel really lucky. We also had a lawyer but she kicked ####, had everything prepared and even contacted our congress man for us when it took too long to get the Noa 2. Get on your lawyers back, read up here on VJ so you know what to expect and then have a word with your lawyer!

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Your lawyer is needlessly waiting on the NVC; furthermore, waiting for the NVC to make contact equals waiting a very long time. Once the payment on the bills has gone through, the paperwork can be submitted.

I gathered that from reading other people's timelines. I'm not sure how to approach her about this matter but I did send her another email. If I can figure out how to get her moving, that would be great. But my question is, how long must this needless waiting continue if I need to continue waiting needlessly?

[indiana_sweetie 120]

When I read about some lawyers I feel really lucky. We also had a lawyer but she kicked ####, had everything prepared and even contacted our congress man for us when it took too long to get the Noa 2. Get on your lawyers back, read up here on VJ so you know what to expect and then have a word with your lawyer!

Ok, trying to figure out how to bring it up but not make her outright mad at me....

[Alaska2012 462]

Ok, trying to figure out how to bring it up but not make her outright mad at me....

Well if she gets mad at you maybe you should fire her, or did you pay for the whole process in advance?

[Ryan H 3,810]

I gathered that from reading other people's timelines. I'm not sure how to approach her about this matter but I did send her another email. If I can figure out how to get her moving, that would be great. But my question is, how long must this needless waiting continue if I need to continue waiting needlessly?

Bluntly tell the lawyer not to wait anymore, you are paying her. If she won't go along, fire her.

This is only my opinion, only you can ultimately decide how you want to proceed in your dealings with the lawyer.

Edited October 29, 2012 by Ryan H

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Well if she gets mad at you maybe you should fire her, or did you pay for the whole process in advance?

I paid in advance. It was reasonable, from what I researched online, and she only handles immigration cases. We have LOTS of immigrants here.

[We Are The Art 46]

Ok, trying to figure out how to bring it up but not make her outright mad at me....

Maybe she is just ignorant of the process and less than fully qualified to handle immigration cases but in any case, she is YOUR employee, she works for YOU. If she is knowingly delaying your case (at your expense) you have every right to make it a point of contention and address it. By law you are entitled to "a reasonable level of professionalism" when you entered into a legal contract with her and she is legally obligated to provide such. Be direct and professional about it, but let her know in no uncertain terms that you are aware of the situation and the timeframes involved and you fully expect her to do the job she was PAID to do in a timely manner. If she fails to do so, let her know in equally certain terms that you would be more than happy to file a Formal Grievance with the State Bar as early as the next morning at the local courthouse. This should be a last resort but just the "threat" of it will no doubt send her scrambling immediately.

I despise so-called "professionals" who take thier clients for granted and have no regard for the personal impacts involved as long as they are being paid. Be Firm, Be Professional and be Calm, but by all means...Stand Your Ground. YOU have Rights too.

Edited October 29, 2012 by We Are The Art

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Maybe she is just ignorant of the process and less than fully qualified to handle immigration cases but in any case, she is YOUR employee, she works for YOU. If she is knowingly delaying your case (at your expense) you have every right to make it a point of contention and address it. By law you are entitled to "a reasonable level of professionalism" when you entered into a legal contract with her and she is legally obligated to provide such. Be direct and professional about it, but let her know in no uncertain terms that you are aware of the situation and the timeframes involved and you fully expect her to do the job she was PAID to do in a timely manner. If she fails to do so, let her know in equally certain terms that you would be more than happy to file a Formal Grievance with the State Bar as early as the next morning at the local courthouse. This should be a last resort but just the "threat" of it will no doubt send her scrambling immediately.

I despise so-called "professionals" who take thier clients for granted and have no regard for the personal impacts involved as long as they are being paid. Be Firm, Be Professional and be Calm, but by all means...Stand Your Ground. YOU have Rights too.

Thank you for the advice

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I emailed the lawyer. I had asked if it was normal for it to take so long. She answered "yes". I emailed back "Thank you. However I am concerned because I am aware that it is not actually necessary to wait until they request it." She answered, "Not true – the NVC specifically says “Do not submit documents unless they were requested by the NVC.” I usually email them 30 days after I pay the fee to ask if we can submit them."

I don't know where she got her info, but...30 days will be here any day now. I will be watching to see if she picks up the ball without a fight.

I see I made one mistake. In the email she sent to me before I left for Kosovo, there were PDF files with info for me to make the payments online. In my rush to prepare for my trip, printing 100's of pages of papers, packing, etc., I had concentrated on getting the forms I needed to bring for hubby to sign and then I brought her a check. So I sort of shot myself in the foot there.

[Darnell 8,478]

wow the lawyer not even pay online?

REALLY?

Edited October 29, 2012 by Darnell

[indiana_sweetie 120]

wow the lawyer not even pay online?

REALLY?

No, I meant I could have paid online but I didn't. The lawyer probably paid online after I gave her my check.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Correction, I paid by credit card at her office. I'm sure she paid online as she was forwarding emails from the NVC to me

[Darnell 8,478]

then you know the IIN and NVC casefile #.

Hit the online payment portal, see what's what.