How much did you pay for your lawyer??

[eric_and_teresa 10]

IMO, the AOS is a lot easier than the K-1. If your case has no especial situations or is not complicated, I suggest you do it yourself.

[NArocks 13]

I am for a AOS but from a different visa, I am on a H1B.The one I talked to and liked most, wants to charge me $1800 with the RFE included if they are any. I am considering of hiring him just for the interview process. Well, my case should be simple but I have a misdemeanor conviction, the lawyer said it shouldnt be a problem but that's why i am that worried (specially because of the interview)

HMM not sure about a misdemeanor as long it is was not drug related ( yes some of these are drug related ). The choice is yours. I think with the information you have received it may work in your favor. Good luck and come back and let us know what you choose to do

Edited July 25, 2009 by NArocks

[dagnytaggart 0]

I am glad I used a lawyer for the K-1. We had a huge problem with getting police certificates and the lawyer was instrumental in helping us get the documents we needed. But since all the kinks were worked out during the K-1 doing the AOS was easy.

I would say since you have a misdemeanor on your record to consult with 2 or 3 more lawyers and see what they say. Consultations are free and free is good. If you decide to do it yourself and have a problem with an RFE you can always hire a lawyer at that point. It all depends on your comfort level. You end up doing most of the work either way.

Just watch out though, if you do get an RFE for a mistake the lawyer makes be sure to point that out to them so they don't charge you if you get another RFE. Look over your bills from the lawyer carefully.

[NutMagnet 2]

Filling up the papers yourself is taking responsibility and learning a little bit about the process. Paying a lawyer to do it for you is only throwing away money that you could use later on for better things.

As you have read, lawyers make mistakes and get RFE's also. The guides here on VJ are about as straightforward as you could be blessed with, it is not very difficult at all, but read and follow the checklists and flowcharts. People here on VJ are willing to help.

Should you run into big time problems, you'll need the help of your Congressman, not your attorney.

Make multiple copies of all documents, and 2-3 exact duplicates of all your submissions. Send by USPS Next Day Mail. Pray a alot.

Good luck,

NM

[mollywinters 0]

We paid $1500.00 for the initial K-1 process and then it would cost us $750 to do adjustment of status. The lawyer who we used, Alex Halow, is easily found online and I did a large amount of research to make sure that he did not have any previous issues. I also checked his educational background. He is a graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He is in Athens, Georgia. I definitely recommend him as he spends quite a lot of time discussing the process, etc. I do think no matter who is used you should always double check the information on your forms. No one knows your situation and personal information better than you!!

Hi everyone,

We are considering the option of hiring a lawyer to help us with the AOS process as we really don't have much time and energy to deal with it. The problem is that I was shocked when I asked today for a quote to a couple of them and they wanted to charge me $1500 and $1800 (not including the USCIS fees!!!).

Is it normal? How much did you pay for your lawyer if you used one?

Thanks!

We used a lawyer for the K-1 (for certain reasons), but did not use a lawyer for the AOS.

Our lawyer's fees for AOS are $800 if adjusting from a K visa, or $1400 if its a 'one step' adjustment (like from tourist).

[NutMagnet 2]

Filling up the papers yourself is taking responsibility and learning a little bit about the process. Paying a lawyer to do it for you is only throwing away money that you could use later on for better things.

As you have read, lawyers make mistakes and get RFE's also. The guides here on VJ are about as straightforward as you could be blessed with, it is not very difficult at all, but read and follow the checklists and flowcharts. People here on VJ are willing to help.

Should you run into big time problems, you'll need the help of your Congressman, not your attorney.

Make multiple copies of all documents, and 2-3 exact duplicates of all your submissions. Send by USPS Next Day Mail. Pray a alot.

Good luck,

NM

[familyguy 2]

This is a really hard question. The answer is either $0 or lots and lots - I married her

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

lol familyguy your signature makes me dizzy.

[mochabrown 0]

In our case re AOS post marriage in 11-08, the lawyers fees were $800: $400 upfront and $400 once the process was finished; in addition to the filing fees. We felt he gave us good guidance, assisted w the initial filing as well as what/what NOT to take to the interview. We had a series of 4 meetings: first exploratory, 2nd file preparation, 3rd file signatures w USCIS fees and 4th just prior to the scheduled interview. It worked well. We will probably pay him a minimal fee just to review again prior to the removal of conditions 16 months from now. I know many say it is unnecessary, but we were older w grown children and had alot of seperate assets which were 'non typical' to the process.[/font]

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi everyone,

We are considering the option of hiring a lawyer to help us with the AOS process as we really don't have much time and energy to deal with it. The problem is that I was shocked when I asked today for a quote to a couple of them and they wanted to charge me $1500 and $1800 (not including the USCIS fees!!!).

Is it normal? How much did you pay for your lawyer if you used one?

Thanks!

-0-

Did it myself and used the savings for an extra two trips to see my fiancee. I-129f to Green Card in 10 months.

[Tom and Milaren 0]

Hi everyone,

We are considering the option of hiring a lawyer to help us with the AOS process as we really don't have much time and energy to deal with it. The problem is that I was shocked when I asked today for a quote to a couple of them and they wanted to charge me $1500 and $1800 (not including the USCIS fees!!!).

Is it normal? How much did you pay for your lawyer if you used one?

Thanks!

I paid $1,500 for K1 and K3. At the time I knew nothing about the K1 process and requirements. I did not find VJ until after the petition had been filed.

After reading VJ, I am NOT going to pay for AOS. All the information I need is here on VJ. I agree with Abby's comment. However if you have the $1,500 and do not want to hassle with it, go for the attorney. You'll gather all the information and documents they need and they will complete the form(s). Seems to me that once you gather the information/documents completing the forms is the easy part.

By the way, you will deal with a paralegal.

Good luck!

[BigBubble 1]

I was considering the option of filling the forms myself and then hire an attorney if there are some RFE's. What do you think?

[movingsoon2 0]

If you are trying to save time, don't use a lawyer. Think of all the extra time you have to spend to go over everything with the lawyer. Rather just fill out the paperwork, make photocopies and mail it in. Use a lawyer if you have a difficulty in your case.

[BigBubble 1]

If you are trying to save time, don't use a lawyer. Think of all the extra time you have to spend to go over everything with the lawyer. Rather just fill out the paperwork, make photocopies and mail it in. Use a lawyer if you have a difficulty in your case.

I think this is what I'm gonna do. Just fill them myself and if there are some issues, then hire one. After all, i will be on vacation soon so i will have plenty of time to go over the forms Thanks for the advices

[UN-KNOWN 0]

We filed K3 and CR-1 so it coasted us 2500 $ .