Lawyers VS Doing it yourself

[sarahaziz 0]

IF your using a Lawyer how many months in total has it taken to get approved?

If you've done it yourself how long has it taken you to get approved?

[Nutty 2]

Whether you do the paperwork - or - the lawyer does the paperwork is irrelevant. The government is the one that controls the time for processing. A lawyer has no control over the how fast the government does the processing.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Exactly right. A lawyer cannot make claims for faster processing.

[PetraPerson101 0]

I can take a pile of parts and turn it into a working computer in 30 minutes flat. Even less if I have a power screwdriver.

I think I can fill out my own immigration forms, thank you very much.

Now, on the other hand, it does pay to have an extra set of eyes checking your work. I made a few mistakes with her papers, nothing major - just forgot to include some forms ... and 1 typo on the CIS forms. Surprisingly. I think I may not have even made the mistake - because it was so stupid - my form might have gotten corrupted on my PC. What was the mistake you ask? Well, my birth year was in the 1700's instead of the 1900's. XD. "Huh, what's that? Oh, sure, of course I'm 228 years old!"

Edited February 27, 2008 by KyanWan

[ya falaha! 0]

If you can gain a highschool diploma you too can fill out immigration forms successfully. Personally, I don't like the idea of handing over control of immigration stuff to someone who doesn't care about me as much as I do.

[doodlebugg 10]

Agreed. Think how much is at stake with you and how much with the lawyer. With the lawyer the ultimate goal is to get the fee paid in full. (the lawyer fee, not the uscis fee ). With you, the ultimate goal is to get him/her in the US.

That being said, I think I've run across at least 3 or 4 people who absolutely positively beyond any shadow of a doubt SHOULD use a lawyer.

[sun_flower4712000 0]

we have lawyer and we married since 2005 , and on AP FOR MORE 9 MONTHES AND NO NEW , I THINK IT DOESNT MATTER IF U HAVE LAWYER OR NOT

[morocco4ever 63]

We didn't have a lawyer. Some recommended a lawyer upon the denial of my husbands visa, but when I presented my evidence to a well qualified lawyer he told me that our case was too strong, and that all he could do for us was to organize our papers...something I am well qualified to do myself.

I think the key is really how complicated your case is. Could a lawyer have prevented my husbands initial denial? Perhaps, if I had attained him from the beginning and he was well versed in how to avoid denials. In our case it was a weird glitch, a simple mistake in my husbands answers that led to the denial. Once we were able to prove their suspicions were erronous we got the visa.

I would think that most people can do it themselves, but each of us know our situations, and if you feel that you have some major red flags then it might be wise to invest.

[Badrs Love 0]

I've been told that we should have used a lawyer, but I think that we covered every red flag and we should be fine. {Knocks on wood}. We'll see. If we do get denied, then we'll obtain a lawyer.

[SaadBell 0]

We have a lawyer, it is my husbands attorney in New York, it is nice cause I don't do anything but sign.

[♥Sora_9_Dam3a♥ 0]

i think it'll take less time if you do it yourself--the lawyer isn't separated from their spouse or fiance--they'd understand how much of a difference it'll make if they send it today before tomorrow..

i tried to be very quick with everything and i had most of the forms out within a few days and i never sent anything without overnight shipping...

i think it's pretty much self-explanatory...if you have any questions, NVC answered most of mine..

good luck everyone!!!

[Cheryl & Medo 3]

We HAD a lawyer. Then fired the son of a ***** He sent forms to the wrong place. Bounced Checks to the USCIS After I paid him the money for the fees. Told me he could have my husband here in 30 days to 3 mo's LOst my reciept number. (So he said) He just made a mess out of every thing Then he was mad that I fired him This was all befor I found this web site. BEWARE OF HIM he is from Joilet Illinois

[sereia 0]

I luckily found VJ BEFORE I filed so that really helped me do everything on my own.

[sarahaziz 0]

Ok cool, didn't think it would have mattered. I'm just a little confused because it takes them 6-8 months for them to read our First, Last names, Birthdays, Places of birth, Marriage dates, etc.. to actually start processing ???????????????

[AlHayatZween 2]

Salaam Sarah,

Kaifa haliki?

We, too, used a lawyer, and to be honest it was at nightmare at first. Our petition sat on someone's desk for 6 weeks. Then, we got a RFE for something I brought twice to his attention. We are keeping him around in case we have some real problems, but if i had to do it over again... i probably wouldn't use one.

Sorry to here that CSC is still sitting on your petition!

Inchallah, you will get approval soon!

hz