Legal help. Should I or shouldn't I

[bonded23 0]

I am preparing to file an I-129F to bring my fiance’ to America from Thailand. We have had major trouble (repeated failures) with trying to get him a tourist visa and seen a lot of warnings that everything must be executed perfectly when doing a K1, so I am thinking that I should hire a good immigration attorney to help us.

Has anyone here been successful with the K1 process without using an immigration attorney? If it’s advisable to go with an immigration attorney, can anyone here recommend a good one in the Olympia/Seattle/Tacoma WA area? Has anyone here used LIH Law? If so, would you recommend her for helping with a K1? Are there any other same sex couples trying do the K1 here?

[The Mean Lady 604]

This is a DIY site.

The majority of people on here have ALL done it w/o a lawyer.

And many who did it with a lawyer, will tell you not to bother.

I will let someone else weigh in on if the tourist visa denials actually have any effect on your K1 visa, but I don't think so.

[John9981 9]

Since the law just passed, maybe it's a good idea to consult a lawyer just in case. Read through the forums and get some ideas.Welcome to VJ!

btw, I hired a lawyer with AOS but it was pretty much a waste of money, so I did ROC and N400 myself. If your case is simple, there's no need to hire a lawyer.

Edited July 5, 2013 by chox99

[aaron2020 11,651]

Since the law just passed, maybe it's a good idea to consult a lawyer just in case. Read through the forums and get some ideas.Welcome to VJ!

btw, I hired a lawyer with AOS but it was pretty much a waste of money, so I did ROC and N400 myself. If your case is simple, there's no need to hire a lawyer.

What law just pass?

[QueenOfBlades 224]

What law just pass?

DOMA being struck down in the US, so same-sex couples are now eligible for immigration. It's been all over international news.

[Ning 619]

I am preparing to file an I-129F to bring my fiance’ to America from Thailand. We have had major trouble (repeated failures) with trying to get him a tourist visa and seen a lot of warnings that everything must be executed perfectly when doing a K1, so I am thinking that I should hire a good immigration attorney to help us.

Has anyone here been successful with the K1 process without using an immigration attorney? If it’s advisable to go with an immigration attorney, can anyone here recommend a good one in the Olympia/Seattle/Tacoma WA area? Has anyone here used LIH Law? If so, would you recommend her for helping with a K1? Are there any other same sex couples trying do the K1 here?

The tourist visa denials shouldn't affect the K 1 and you don't need a lawyer. A lawyer cant change the circumstances of your case or fill the simple forms out any better than you can. You are in the right place for help here on V J.

Your main problem is going to be in the area of support from what I see in your other post. However I don't know much about the same sex question.

[The Mean Lady 604]

Same sex petitions are to be processed just like opposite-sex so there should be no reason for a lawyer due to that.

[candiizz 5]

Honestly, if you are fairly good at following directions i don't really see the need for a lawyer. All the guides here on VJ are fantastic and there are more than enough people to help.

[aaron2020 11,651]

DOMA being struck down in the US, so same-sex couples are now eligible for immigration. It's been all over international news.

You had me confused.

Big difference between a law passing and a law being struck down. A law being stuck down is the complete opposite of a law just pass.

Edited July 5, 2013 by aaron2020

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Others: a post from this morning > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/439654-same-sex-marriageall-systems-go/

Another one > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/439719-k-1-fiancee-visa-i-134-affidavit-of-support/

Edited July 5, 2013 by Jay-Kay

[dmck 80]

The K1 is straight forward to complete. There is some details that need to be attended to, but not difficult to compile. Tourist visa denials have no bearing on the K1 visa. They will deny tourist visas unless the recipient can show strong ties to their home country and that there is no intent to immigrate. No need for a lawyer, it is a waste of money in your case and certainly will increase the processing time. You have to read the applications, provide all the data to the lawyers, wait for them to complete the form that you provided the information for and file it. You still have to do the same exact amount of work, but now you are relying on someone else to type your information into a form vs you.

[baron555 934]

I am preparing to file an I-129F to bring my fiance’ to America from Thailand. We have had major trouble (repeated failures) with trying to get him a tourist visa and seen a lot of warnings that everything must be executed perfectly when doing a K1, so I am thinking that I should hire a good immigration attorney to help us.

Has anyone here been successful with the K1 process without using an immigration attorney? If it’s advisable to go with an immigration attorney, can anyone here recommend a good one in the Olympia/Seattle/Tacoma WA area? Has anyone here used LIH Law? If so, would you recommend her for helping with a K1? Are there any other same sex couples trying do the K1 here?

We did it ourselves. If you can read English and follow instructions (and the Guides) there is no reason not to do it yourself. Attorneys, except in rare and complicated cases (complicated histories), are only good at taking your money. They do slow the process since you have to provide all the documents and then send them to them and wait for them to send them to USCIS.

[alphaminah 1]

a friend advised my fiancé and me to hire a lawyer. with the past visa rejections, perhaps it might be handy to have a lawyer go through your packet. the lawyer we hired, his fees covers services right up to my green card application

pros = the lawyer was thorough, composed the supporting letters, guided clearly for affidavits, etc.

cons = they don't come cheap and bloody sit on their arses. u will have to keep kicking to make them move

[bigdog 376]

Same sex get an attorney.

[Protocol417 161]

I don't see why a same-sex applicant would need an attorney UNLESS they are wrongfully denied. I would say go for it by yourself (because there are so many horror stories on here of people who used attorneys) and if you get denied and feel it was because you are a same-sex couple, THEN hire an attorney. There is nothing different about the application process for same-sex couple as there is for opposite-sex couples; USCIS is already approving their applications.

(Please be warned, there are people on here who are morally opposed to same-sex marriage and may give you biased advice for that reason.)

Edited July 5, 2013 by Protocol417