Lawyer keeping mum

[wifetobe 2]

Let me please give you a quick run down!

My fiancé (the petitioner) and I are just beginning our visa journey and our lawyer is ready to send off the petition. Though before he does, he asked my better other to write a letter stating exactly what his past conviction was for along with dates he served. He served 80 days of jail time throughout a year for drug and alcoholic abuse (not a serious crime). He meets with his DOC officer every week to make sure that he is clean of course and still attending his AA meetings which he is.

What I do not understand is why the lawyer told my fiancé: Do not share what I told you with your fianceé. ?? Why would a lawyer say that to my fiancé? He told me straight away but I feel somewhat uneasy that he even suggested that my fiancé keep a secret from me!!! Why on earth?

Sorry am confused, any feedback would be very nice.

Many thanks.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I would have a conversation with your lawyer and ask him straight up what's going on.

Asking the person you are going to be married to, the person you are spending the rest of your life with to withhold information from you is very shady and makes even me nervous.

I'd be getting to the bottom of it asap.

What other dishonest tactics does he believe in?

I wish you luck!

[YuAndDan 153]

Strange one, IMBRA rules for K-1 indicate that the US government can and does provide this to the foreign fiancee.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/IMBRA072106.pdf

[wifetobe 2]

I would have a conversation with your lawyer and ask him straight up what's going on.

Asking the person you are going to be married to, the person you are spending the rest of your life with to withhold information from you is very shady and makes even me nervous.

I'd be getting to the bottom of it asap.

What other dishonest tactics does he believe in?

I wish you luck!

You are absolutely spot on Laura. I want to get down to the bottom of it and ask in a polite and firm manner why he would say such a thing to my fiancé. It makes me feel uncomfortable that we are paying for a service which appears to be less than what I would expect from a lawyer.. It's really bizarre but I will keep you posted. I appreciate your thoughts The best of luck with your honey

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I would have a conversation with your lawyer and ask him straight up what's going on.

Asking the person you are going to be married to, the person you are spending the rest of your life with to withhold information from you is very shady and makes even me nervous.

I'd be getting to the bottom of it asap.

What other dishonest tactics does he believe in?

I wish you luck!

You are absolutely spot on Laura. I want to get down to the bottom of it and ask in a polite and firm manner why he would say such a thing to my fiancé. It makes me feel uncomfortable that we are paying for a service which appears to be less than what I would expect from a lawyer.. It's really bizarre but I will keep you posted. I appreciate your thoughts The best of luck with your honey

You are very welcome.

[wifetobe 2]

Strange one, IMBRA rules for K-1 indicate that the US government can and does provide this to the foreign fiancee.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/IMBRA072106.pdf

Thanks for that. I just read the statement related to my question and it says that the department of state will disclose this info to the beneficiary (me) at the time of the consular interview. That's fine, but why would my lawyer say such a thing to my fiancé? Perhaps I shouldn't get too bent out of shape and just treat this with a pinch of salt. My lawyer is in a meeting so awaiting his phone call when he is available grrrr

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Why didn't your fiance ask him right away after he told him not to tell you? I mean, after all you are paying for his services.. you and your fiance should feel free to ask him everything you need/want to ask.

[Minya's wife 24]

Your posts are a bit confusing.....

...

My fiancé (the petitioner) and I are just beginning our visa journey and our lawyer is ready to send off the petition. Though before he does, he asked my better other to write a letter stating exactly what his past conviction was for along with dates he served. He served 80 days of jail time throughout a year for drug and alcoholic abuse (not a serious crime). He meets with his DOC officer every week to make sure that he is clean of course and still attending his AA meetings which he is.

What I do not understand is why the lawyer told my fiancé: Do not share what I told you with your fianceé. ?? Why would a lawyer say that to my fiancé? He told me straight away but I feel somewhat uneasy that he even suggested that my fiancé keep a secret from me!!! Why on earth?

What did the lawyer tell him, that he wasn't supposed to share w/ you? You state that the lawyer asked your fiance (the US citizen) to write down what/when/why of his conviction and jail term....but then what did the lawyer "tell" your fiancee that he wasn't supposed to share w/ you?

Thanks for that. I just read the statement related to my question and it says that the department of state will disclose this info to the beneficiary (me) at the time of the consular interview. That's fine, but why would my lawyer say such a thing to my fiancé? Perhaps I shouldn't get too bent out of shape and just treat this with a pinch of salt. My lawyer is in a meeting so awaiting his phone call when he is available grrrr

Who's lawyer is it and where is this person located? Either way, its probably not the most "kosher" think for one's lawyer to advise the 'witholding' of information from one's SO. Are you sure he meant taht your fiancee not tell you about his conviction and jail time? Its just kinda pointless to say something like that....because chances are that you already know.

-P

[wifetobe 2]

I would have a conversation with your lawyer and ask him straight up what's going on.

Asking the person you are going to be married to, the person you are spending the rest of your life with to withhold information from you is very shady and makes even me nervous.

I'd be getting to the bottom of it asap.

What other dishonest tactics does he believe in?

I wish you luck!

Hi I'm back with an update lol!! My fiance misheard what our lawyer said so the big confusion is now a big sigh of relief My lawyer basically said to me fiancé "I can not disclose information about you via public records, you would have to do a check for yourself" so I really don't know where my fiance got that from about the 'don't tell me' part.. I think it's overtime hours he's done in the last week. Sorry for the 'waste of time' post... I really wished I sorted it first before posting on here.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I would have a conversation with your lawyer and ask him straight up what's going on.

Asking the person you are going to be married to, the person you are spending the rest of your life with to withhold information from you is very shady and makes even me nervous.

I'd be getting to the bottom of it asap.

What other dishonest tactics does he believe in?

I wish you luck!

Hi I'm back with an update lol!! My fiance misheard what our lawyer said so the big confusion is now a big sigh of relief My lawyer basically said to me fiancé "I can not disclose information about you via public records, you would have to do a check for yourself" so I really don't know where my fiance got that from about the 'don't tell me' part.. I think it's overtime hours he's done in the last week. Sorry for the 'waste of time' post... I really wished I sorted it first before posting on here.

whew! I bet that's a huge sigh of relief huh!!!

Thanks for updating...glad it all worked out ok!!!!

[rouguewave 7]

I would have a conversation with your lawyer and ask him straight up what's going on.

Asking the person you are going to be married to, the person you are spending the rest of your life with to withhold information from you is very shady and makes even me nervous.

I'd be getting to the bottom of it asap.

What other dishonest tactics does he believe in?

I wish you luck!

Hi I'm back with an update lol!! My fiance misheard what our lawyer said so the big confusion is now a big sigh of relief My lawyer basically said to me fiancé "I can not disclose information about you via public records, you would have to do a check for yourself" so I really don't know where my fiance got that from about the 'don't tell me' part.. I think it's overtime hours he's done in the last week. Sorry for the 'waste of time' post... I really wished I sorted it first before posting on here.

I don't profess to be an expert on this, but reading through this thread, as well having a little understanding about the IMBRA requirements, my theory would be this: the lawyer is trying to tell your fiance that he (your fiance) should get a copy of his record and make sure that he gives it (not tells) you. The lawyer cannot do this, because his communication with your fiance is protected by lawyer-client privilege. The lawyer may also be trying to avoid taking on responsibility for this because of additional time and or costs it would incur beyond his already paid fees.

You having a complete, printed copy of your fiance's record equips you with all that you need to know about your fiance's past when it comes to the consular interview. The consular section will want to be sure that you have had full access and knowledge of your fiance's background, especially since there have been incidents in his past. Showing them that you have a copy of his record that he sent you (or that you got yourself) is more convincing (and secure) than just responding "Yes, he told me all about that."

Your fiance can get a copy of his records (I think) from the state police where he was convicted, or perhaps the FBI. If he has moved to various locations (different states in US) it might be worth getting a seperate report from each state he has lived in. He will have to make the request and pay some costs for each report. Doing it this way, rather than just sending you copies of his original court documents, is also more convincing because it will show that you've been given a more thorough search. Not just the single incident report(s).

Also, be prepared that it might take a little extra time for your Visa process, as your fiance's past might come up during the Name Check that the Service Center does, which might cause them to want to have someone take an extra look at it before approval.

Unless someone more knowledgeable tells you otherwise, I wouldn't take this effort lightly. The IMBRA requirements are in place to protect the incoming fiance and the Embassy consular section takes their role in their monitoring seriously. A few extra steps (and a few extra $$'s) on your fiance's part might save some precious time later.

[mc2000ch 0]

I would have a conversation with your lawyer and ask him straight up what's going on.

Asking the person you are going to be married to, the person you are spending the rest of your life with to withhold information from you is very shady and makes even me nervous.

I'd be getting to the bottom of it asap.

What other dishonest tactics does he believe in?

I wish you luck!

You are absolutely spot on Laura. I want to get down to the bottom of it and ask in a polite and firm manner why he would say such a thing to my fiancé. It makes me feel uncomfortable that we are paying for a service which appears to be less than what I would expect from a lawyer.. It's really bizarre but I will keep you posted. I appreciate your thoughts The best of luck with your honey

You are very welcome.

Way to help

[desert_fox 32]

Hi I'm back with an update lol!! My fiance misheard what our lawyer said so the big confusion is now a big sigh of relief My lawyer basically said to me fiancé "I can not disclose information about you via public records, you would have to do a check for yourself" so I really don't know where my fiance got that from about the 'don't tell me' part.. I think it's overtime hours he's done in the last week. Sorry for the 'waste of time' post... I really wished I sorted it first before posting on here.

Can't disclose what's in a public record??? It's public!!!! I could even get a copy of it if I was interested.

You get these records a from the county or court clerk where this conviction took place. FBI or police would have nothing.

[mox 298]

Ummm....this thread is almost 2 months old. Nothing here to see anymore.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Ummm....this thread is almost 2 months old. Nothing here to see anymore.

Yes, you can see that I helped...almost 2 months ago, I helped. So there.