Has anyone here used a lawyer for k1 visa?

[MDSMIF 0]

As an attorney, I can tell you that unless you simply do not understand the paperwork regarding the K1 Visa, you do not need an attorney to fill this out. You do not get "bumped" to the head of the line. An attorney is good in the immigration context if you have "legal" issues. However, in reality, with a K1 there are no legal issues. If you get denied and then need to appeal, an attorney may be helpful with the drafting of your appeal and making it look professional.

However, the basic documents required can easily be done by the lay person. But, again, if you do not have the time to fill out the documents, then a third party could be helpful. I find it difficult to swallow to pay somone a $1,000 plus to simply fill out papers that can easily be done by yourself.

Do not get me wrong, attorneys serve a significant purpose in appeals, hearings, etc., and because we "know" the system, but at this venue of the process you just do not need one. Stinger.

Thanks Stinger,

That is by far the best answer I have received. I appreciate it. I know I could confidently fill out the paper work and gather all the information (I had to do it anyway). But I truly felt that my case would meet some problems. So I had an immigration attorney review my file, submit documents to USCIS, and agree to help my fiancee if she has any problems with Embassy in Morocco. It was only $460. I guess I paid for peace of mind. However, I would suggest that no one uses an attorney. I find that it is hard for you to control you case if you have them receiving everything.

Thanks all for you input.

[Yodrak 7]

fimsdm,

Good decision on your part, I believe. Although in your circumstances the problems are generally with the visa application not with the petition to USCIS.

The anecdotal evidence here on VJ indicates that people dealing with the consular section in Morocco have a good deal of trouble with their visa applications and often end up being asked for additional evidence or being put into administrative review. The advice of an immigration attorney to put forth the best possible case when submitting the visa application materials would be money worth spending.

Yodrak

.... I truly felt that my case would meet some problems. So I had an immigration attorney review my file, submit documents to USCIS, and agree to help my fiancee if she has any problems with Embassy in Morocco. It was only $460. I guess I paid for peace of mind. .....

[maylet29 0]

fimsdm,

I did, and found it to be quite useful.

Yodrak

Has anyone here used a lawyer for k1 visa? Is it better to use an attorney? Is it faster to use a lawyer?

i did too!! but i guess mine is not reliable... the reason why i got my second RFE my lawyer's assistant forgot to copy my passport and she only copied the front page... well now i send it myself..

[Intense 0]

My first post.

Very good question leading to great discussion I must say.

For me, I was going to do it alone, despite personal issues. I had everything and met the requirements. What made me change my mind was when the imbra went into effect. There was no information available at the time on how to comply with it. Luckily though, in my case, it was still in processing with my attorney just as the new I-129F form came to be. I was thankful for that and nor do I regret my decision.

I've had no RFE and atm, my fiance is waiting for her paperwork from the embassy.

[cellarlily 0]

My fiance's future job is very interested in getting their immigration lawyer (they are an international company) involved in the process. Currently we are waiting for approval (which I feel coming very soon *crosses fingers*).

Do you think an immigration lawyer helps in any way between approval and the interview? They're dying to get him to start work on December 1st (they are getting him a 3-month work visa...will this affect our fiance visa at all?) and want to help in whatever way they can.

[robacjd 1]

Don't tell people not to hire an attorney. Everyone is different. If you want to make sure all of the forms and information is correct before you submit them to USCIS and not get an RFE. hire an attorney. This will keep you from wondering if everything you submitted is correct and worrying if you may get an RFE which will hold up your petition even longer. This is a long drawn out process and most people don't need the aggravation of doubt. It may cost you, but they will make sure you have sent everything and all of your forms are filled out correctly. Some attorneys will do everything for you and your fiancee up to her interview. If you have to work and take care of your personal day to day things, why not hire an attorney to help you through the process? I think the money spent is well worth the outcome.

[garya505 2]

I used a lawyer and she probably saved me from an RFE (and she answered a lot of my dumb questions).

[maggieNomar 0]

I also hired a lawyer due to potential problems and knowing ahead of time that the consulate we deal with is so unpredictable. Seems the clear cut cases are getting denied and the ones we think are a no go are getting approved!! I agree with others who have said you must decide for yourself if the peace of mind is worth the money. In additon to having someone to ask my questions to, all of my forms were done electronically. So there were hours of time saved just with paperwork. Also, they had me submit items that are not asked for on the list. (For example the beneficiary birth cert that caused several people to receive RFEs). Maybe presentation/organization is part of it. I don't know if I was just lucky or what, but even going through CSC I was only 70 days with no RFE. Now comes the hard part...getting through the interview at Casablanca.. But if there are any hangups, I"ll be on the phone to my attorney. Bottom line though is that each person has to make a decision based on their circumstances and abilities. I think the people here at VJ and the guides provided are a great source of help, and most people could probably fair just fine.

[PMRS 0]

Has anyone here used a lawyer for k1 visa? Is it better to use an attorney? Is it faster to use a lawyer?

I did some research myself before consulting with a couple of lawyers. I found that the lawyers didn't tell me anything that I already knew myself. Our case is pretty straightforward and I have found the VJ forum as well as Fiance and Marriage Visas by Nolo Press very helpful. We decided that it wasn't worth $1500 minimum to hire a lawyer to fill out paperwork that will require us filling them out ourselves so that he/she has the necessary information to fill it out. Plus, my husband is a law student in Mexico and my father-in-law is a retired lawyer, so they've been helpful as well.

An upper-middle class friend of mine as well as her friend both insisted that a lawyer was necessary. However, my friend and her husband needed a waiver of her husband's J-1 exchange visa homestay requirement of 2 years. As it turns out, they have had to produce drafts of their I-130 and G-325As, then the lawyer checked it over. It actually took them longer to assembe their petition than it did for us. Why bother in my opinion. They've gotten a few helpful hints, but once again if you do some research by reading the Nolo press book, then you can find out yourself.