Lawyer vs. Self file K1

[iampatricias 17]

And yet your timeline shows an RFE, which cost you time....

Yes indeed. We were young and ignorant and afraid.

VJ has been extremely informative, and I have definitely learned much, much more about this whole process since I found it, but when we filed last summer, I was writing an MA thesis and my man didn't want me to worry about anything but finishing it well, and he so he shopped around and did the paperwork with our lawyer. Together, they missed one box on one form. What can you do?

Anyway, our petition got approved! Woohoo!

[curvebell 29]

Our petition was pretty straight forward - neither have been married before, no overstays/crim records. It really is an easy process made simpler by all the information here on VJ. As long as you do your research you should be fine.

Good luck.

[XXXXXXYYYY 1]

Lawyer? Why?

If you can read and write, you can do it yourself. Lawyers cost between $1500 and $6000 just until POE. All they do is photocopy documents, proof documents and write things out for you. A grade 6 student could do the same thing.

A lawyer is necessary if you are petitioning a beneficiary from a high risk country, or if you have special circumstances which complicate your case. Otherwise VJ is all you need. I am a student doing twice as many courses as full time constitutes, I work part-time and I have a social life. My fiance (the US Citizen) is also a student, works full time, and is in a band. We are finding the process easy, despite all of these other responsibilities. Find a family member to help proof your docs and do it yourself. Save a ton of money in the process.

Does anyone have a list of the high-risk countries?

Thank you..

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

I used a lawyer for the K-1 visa but did the Adjustment of Status and Removal of Conditions on my own. If I had found this website earlier I probably wouldn't have used a lawyer.

[amykathleen2005 441]

Yes indeed. We were young and ignorant and afraid.

VJ has been extremely informative, and I have definitely learned much, much more about this whole process since I found it, but when we filed last summer, I was writing an MA thesis and my man didn't want me to worry about anything but finishing it well, and he so he shopped around and did the paperwork with our lawyer. Together, they missed one box on one form. What can you do?

Anyway, our petition got approved! Woohoo!

That sucks, I would have asked for a refund. A simple mistake you might expect from someone just filing on their own, but you paid thousands of dollars just for the lawyer to not do what they needed to. Glad you were approved though, and only week or two lost there.

Good luck with the rest.

[Richie Rich 70]

I filed my petition for my fiancee all by myself . laywers are expensive . If you have the money and wish to go that way --hats off to you .If not --just follow the instructions and file .

[Mochamich 7]

I was lucky enough to find visajourney before I filed the K1 visa my self. I agree 100% that you can file on your own without any problems. The guides here on this website are excellent and the vj community is more than willing to help you if you have questions. To me a lawyer is a waste of money. Especially when everything you need to know is right here. After filing my K-1 (double checked with copies) I currently have my NOA1 (notice of action).

Best of luck

[Joyce and Chris 1]

I saw your post on the other thread. DON'T file at Nebraska Service Center, your correct Service Center is California, but you first need to send the petition to Dallas, TX! I-129F Instructions(where to file & more...)

Are you sure? I put it my zip code and it showed Nebraska as my service center. I was surprised by this as well. So I could be wrong.

Do you have the California service center address?

Thanks.

[Joyce and Chris 1]

Wow, you guys are great and thanks for the support. I fully intended to do the paperwork myself. But just wanted to put her and my mind at ease. Neither of us anything in our past that would create a problem. This site has been a huge help so far and I only have cracked the surface.

I am planning on dating and sending in all the paperwork on February 14th. Thought that day might bring us good luck.

Thanks again!!!!

[amykathleen2005 441]

You should send it to the Texas Lockbox if the instructions are anything to go by. They will redirect you position to where it needs to go.

Edited January 31, 2011 by amykathleen2005

[lance1002 0]

If your petition is a straight one meaning just you filing a fiance petition for your gal, I would say file on your own. I currently have a k-1 petition and I was once married before. My fiance is just waiting for the interview date. It's very straight forward and it's just gathering the documents that you need. This is a very good site to see other people's experience and ask for guidance. Goodluck! I am the petitioner and my fiance is in the Philippines. Done 3 family petitions without any lawyer.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Are you sure? I put it my zip code and it showed Nebraska as my service center. I was surprised by this as well. So I could be wrong.

Do you have the California service center address?

Thanks.

Send your I-129F to the Texas lockbox facility. It will then be routed to the appropriate service center. Only California and Vermont adjudicate I-129F's.

[Mithmeoi 29]

We didn't use a lawyer, I'm really glad someone directed me to this site because it has been super helpful. As most people have said it's much cheaper to do it yourself and faster. I've heard of so many people hiring lawyers only to have them mess up the paperwork and slow down the process even more. If neither of you have a criminal record, you've never overstayed in the states before, then you should be just fine. Good luck!

[SuperDuper! 230]

Forget the lawyer! Their job is to just separate you from your $$$, and plus it will actually take longer as them as the middleman.

If you have a plain vanilla case and background and decent job, and your girl is the same, just stay tuned right here to VJ, and DIY!

[Rob and Jill 82]

Self filed and no problem as of yet! Knock on wood!

And let me add this. Print out the instructions for the forms and READ them as well. Visa Journey is a GREAT site, however not all of the information is 100% current.

Edited January 31, 2011 by Rob and Jill