Worth Getting Lawyer?

[astone 0]

Hi all,

So my fiancee is coming to the US Sunday and we are going to get married on Wednesday. After that, we are going to put together the final paperwork for our CR-1 application. She is going to go back to Canada to wait while everything is processed.

Our case is fairly simple, with the only irregularity is her visitation history to the US. She came for a a visit to her father in 8/10. We met in 10/10, and we both went back to Canada for Christmas. Then we both came back to the States from 1/11-6/11. Now she has been back in Canada for a few months, and is only coming here for a week to get married. While she never overstayed the 6 month limit, she has extensive history here. Is that any sort of problem?

Anyways, do you guys think a lawyer would be helpful/useful? Can they really help expedite the process? I wouldn't want to pay if all they do is help me fill out the forms properly, I think I can figure it out. I have gotten quotes for 3300 legal fees+1500 filing fees, coming to about 5,000$.

I guess a lot of us wouldn't be on here if we had lawyers involved, but I just wanted to hear other experiences. Thanks!

Andy

[elkhris 7]

Hi all,

So my fiancee is coming to the US Sunday and we are going to get married on Wednesday. After that, we are going to put together the final paperwork for our CR-1 application. She is going to go back to Canada to wait while everything is processed.

Our case is fairly simple, with the only irregularity is her visitation history to the US. She came for a a visit to her father in 8/10. We met in 10/10, and we both went back to Canada for Christmas. Then we both came back to the States from 1/11-6/11. Now she has been back in Canada for a few months, and is only coming here for a week to get married. While she never overstayed the 6 month limit, she has extensive history here. Is that any sort of problem?

Anyways, do you guys think a lawyer would be helpful/useful? Can they really help expedite the process? I wouldn't want to pay if all they do is help me fill out the forms properly, I think I can figure it out. I have gotten quotes for 3300 legal fees+1500 filing fees, coming to about 5,000$.

I guess a lot of us wouldn't be on here if we had lawyers involved, but I just wanted to hear other experiences. Thanks!

Andy

It all depends on you, if you feel confident enough filling the forms, then go right ahead. I personally find it a fairly easy process. If she hasn't overstay they shouldn't be any problems with her being here a lot.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

Hi all,

So my fiancee is coming to the US Sunday and we are going to get married on Wednesday. After that, we are going to put together the final paperwork for our CR-1 application. She is going to go back to Canada to wait while everything is processed.

Our case is fairly simple, with the only irregularity is her visitation history to the US. She came for a a visit to her father in 8/10. We met in 10/10, and we both went back to Canada for Christmas. Then we both came back to the States from 1/11-6/11. Now she has been back in Canada for a few months, and is only coming here for a week to get married. While she never overstayed the 6 month limit, she has extensive history here. Is that any sort of problem?

Anyways, do you guys think a lawyer would be helpful/useful? Can they really help expedite the process? I wouldn't want to pay if all they do is help me fill out the forms properly, I think I can figure it out. I have gotten quotes for 3300 legal fees+1500 filing fees, coming to about 5,000$.

I guess a lot of us wouldn't be on here if we had lawyers involved, but I just wanted to hear other experiences. Thanks!

Andy

Ultimately, it is your decision but if there is no major problem (as you stated she never overstayed) then you should be fine on your own. Lawyers will only fill out the application for you, so you might as well save the $5k.

Good luck!

P.S. We used a lawyer upon the insistence of my husband (USC) and he pretty much just asked our info and then filled out the paperwork for us. I didn't know about VJ until we had already paid the retainer fee.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Anyways, do you guys think a lawyer would be helpful/useful? Can they really help expedite the process? I wouldn't want to pay if all they do is help me fill out the forms properly, I think I can figure it out. I have gotten quotes for 3300 legal fees+1500 filing fees, coming to about 5,000$.

Whether or not you hire a lawyer is up to you. Simply having one will not expedite the process. As others have already stated, they fill out all the paperwork for you but you have to gather all your evidence yourself and send it to the lawyer for them to assemble the package.

[hikergirl 277]

Check out the guides at the top of the page and the example forms. I think once you look at both of those you can make an informed decision on what is best for you.

A few people on here lately have had lawyer issues and I think most go it alone with the help of the forum members.

[OBX 51]

Whether or not you hire a lawyer is up to you. Simply having one will not expedite the process. As others have already stated, they fill out all the paperwork for you but you have to gather all your evidence yourself and send it to the lawyer for them to assemble the package.

^Agree.