My lawyer wants $600 for ONE email to NVC

[chan321 0]

well, i was searching on the internet and found that she is former 'President Of American Immigration Lawyers Association'

but I think it doesn't justify the very high cost

[neodragon0l 6]

Attorneys definitely can charge you by the hour, by flat fee or by contingency fee. If it is easy money, it is usually a flat fee. IF she was truly a President of AILA, that adds "value" to her cost. That's why many attorneys like to make self-proclamations I did this and that. Also, I get a lot of attorneys say that they charge high costs because they don't want to do it. It is a way to say to deter clients or potential clients.

I work with attorneys all the time. They can give you the legalese point of view, but VJ also gives you the non-legalese version. Either way is OK, but you have to go with your gut feeling whether it is necessary to hire an attorney. I am not so sure why it is costing you $9000 dollars to get an immigration completed. I really suggest that you weigh your options (straightforward case) versus a lot of red flags. VJ is really good with assessing that. However, if you have prior criminal charges or your case is in the more grey area, you do not know how to navigate the legal waters, or you don't even care, attorneys may be better for you.

Filing a bar complaint will not lead anywhere unless you have specific evidence to show that the attorney made legal malpractice. Overcharging you just means, you got a "President" (Bentley) attorney than a boutique attorney (low-end car). You can always hire the attorney and go with another. It is per hour after all. (Note that's not the case for contingency fee attorneys).

[Nana098 18]

I think you need tell her that you already paid for those, and that email and other new thing in your process she must to do it. because you hired and paid for that, and not only for fill forms.

On the other hand you or your father can call NVC if you have all info about your case. I think they have people who speak your mother language.

Don't pay more.

[abibae 2]

That is not right, that is way too much to be paying for your lawyer's services. I hired my lawyer for around $2,000 and I never paid them a nickel more after the process got started and finished and we did the K1 Visa. The only things I payed for was my filing fee and other USCIS fee's but I never paid additional money to my lawyer. Your lawyer is definitely taking too much from you and you should fire your lawyer or just look for a new one.

[Dieseltu 19]

A lawyer charged me $500 to make an eviction letter.

$500 is normal. For anything.

Not justified.

But normal.

[The Mean Lady 604]

A lawyer charged me $500 to make an eviction letter.

$500 is normal. For anything.

Not justified.

But normal.

Not even close to the same thing.

After you've forked over 9k for immigration paperwork... there should be no additional charge for an email...

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

http://www.iardc.org/htr_otherinfoprov.html

Ethics in fees charged play a role. If you want to dispute her fees check out the link. Research for your own state.

[The Mean Lady 604]

http://www.iardc.org/htr_otherinfoprov.html

Ethics in fees charged play a role. If you want to dispute her fees check out the link. Research for your own state.

Please note, straight from your link:

Many fee issues that are brought to our attention involve a general dissatisfaction with the amount of fee charged based on the results obtained by the lawyer. Those types of concerns are not ordinarily a basis of discipline.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Please note, straight from your link:

Please note from my link that further down it says :

What if I Have a Dispute With My Attorney Over the Amount of Fees?

The propriety of the fee which an attorney charges a client depends both on the agreement between the lawyer and the client and on certain limitations under the ethics rules. We may initiate an investigation into a lawyer’s fee if the fee charged or the fee agreement is improper under the ethics rules, violates a court order or statute, is fraudulent, or keeps a fee paid in advance that was not earned. Many fee issues that are brought to our attention involve a general dissatisfaction with the amount of fee charged based on the results obtained by the lawyer. Those types of concerns are not ordinarily a basis of discipline. In those situations, if you and the lawyer are unable to resolve the dispute, the matter may be resolved by court action or arbitration. Several bar associations operate fee arbitration committees. The following is a list of some of the Illinois bar associations that provide fee arbitration services:

He signed and thereby agreed previously to the fees. He now realizes it is outrageously high. IF he does not receive the desired results

he can go to arbitration. However, I would personally at this point turn in a complaint to the AILA.

I consider the fee of $9000 an ethics issue, wether the committee would agree is left to find out.

[Darnell 8,478]

one on hand, 9000 for 3 people does not seem exhorbinant.

on the other hand, 9000 for anything seems exhorbinant.

I strongly suggest the petitioner 'get some training' here at VJ by reading the guides , for the moment.

chan is not the petitioner - but IMO, chan should help the petitioner learn the process.

Edited June 26, 2013 by Darnell

[camden 20]

Hopefully you weren't already bied the $600. Definitely highway robbery.

[GeorgeRuthie 0]

That is crazy, I have filed all the different stages of the Visas myself without help from any lawyers. One thing to remember is that if NVC gives you problems go to your rep's in DC for help. They are there to help with problems like this.