Immigration Lawyer

[aht30 0]

Hi All,

My fiancee and I are just starting this process. Looking at all of the information and compiling the pack has been our main focus.

However, the use of an immigration lawyer has been suggested by a number of friends and family.

We are both a little confused about exactly what a lawyer might be able to bring to the table. Does anyone have any experience of a lawyer helping or harming the process? Or did anyone feel it was not worth the expense?

All the best,

Nina

[Darnell 8,478]

I'll suggest a coupla things, maybe (maybe...) help you to decide whether you need an attorney or not.

a. read the VJ guides. map the steps out on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

b. Read the USCIS web portal about the forms. Map out the steps on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

c. Practice filling out the forms, at least 5 times. See if anything still doesn't make sense to you.

d. Have any red flags? Practice writing up attestation letters about each red flag.

Now, after doing (with major emphasis on DOING ) all of the above, if you do NOT understand the forms and the process and potential red flags for your petition,

then I'd suggest getting a good IMMIGRATION lawyer. You are concerned with time, I am concerned with your 'knowledge acquisition', as knowledge is power. You can have 'it' good, fast or cheap - pick 2.

Welcome to VJ, btw - this is a GREAT DIY Immigration Web Portal, with emphasis on 'Y', and 'D'.

[Lainie B 465]

In my opinion, unless you have any major complications, hiring a lawyer is a waste of money and may actually slow things down.

Even if you hire a lawyer you will still be doing all the paperwork and gathering all the information.

[corvusheart 163]

Hi All,

My fiancee and I are just starting this process. Looking at all of the information and compiling the pack has been our main focus.

However, the use of an immigration lawyer has been suggested by a number of friends and family.

We are both a little confused about exactly what a lawyer might be able to bring to the table. Does anyone have any experience of a lawyer helping or harming the process? Or did anyone feel it was not worth the expense?

All the best,

Nina

Defintely go with a lawyer!!! It saves sooo much stress!! I happened to find a really good one. He does all the paperwork for my fiance and I, sends it in, will prepare my fiance for his interview and medical etc. Nothing is slowed down. I just received my NOA1 in the mail in my mailbox yesterday.

[EndlessStory 53]

I did not approach a lawyer for my case. We got approved just fine without RFE because of course we all do not know the complication of your case. E.g overstaying, crime, abuse, etc

If your case do not have complication, I suggest that you file yourself. You only need to be able to read English

[kitthekat 1,317]

I'll suggest a coupla things, maybe (maybe...) help you to decide whether you need an attorney or not.

a. read the VJ guides. map the steps out on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

b. Read the USCIS web portal about the forms. Map out the steps on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

c. Practice filling out the forms, at least 5 times. See if anything still doesn't make sense to you.

d. Have any red flags? Practice writing up attestation letters about each red flag.

Now, after doing (with major emphasis on DOING ) all of the above, if you do NOT understand the forms and the process and potential red flags for your petition,

then I'd suggest getting a good IMMIGRATION lawyer. You are concerned with time, I am concerned with your 'knowledge acquisition', as knowledge is power. You can have 'it' good, fast or cheap - pick 2.

Welcome to VJ, btw - this is a GREAT DIY Immigration Web Portal, with emphasis on 'Y', and 'D'.

I second everything Darnell said.

Also, IF you do decide to go with the services of an immigration lawyer, there are many different types of services around..

There's the kind where you engage them for the entire process from filing the I-129F petition, all the way to the embassy stage, and for some even to adjustment of status/removal of conditions, etc. These types of arrangements are typically more costly, and involve the lawyer charging you exorbitant fees for basically, an administrative service (mailing in forms, etc).

There's also the kind where you can simply call in and pay per consultation whenever you have a question that you feel would be best answered by a lawyer. Much more cost effective, and low commitment.

[corvusheart 163]

Defintely go with a lawyer!!! It saves sooo much stress!! I happened to find a really good one. He does all the paperwork for my fiance and I, sends it in, will prepare my fiance for his interview and medical etc. Nothing is slowed down. I just received my NOA1 in the mail in my mailbox yesterday.

Forgot one more thing; if you choose to go with a lawyer go with one with a fixed payment; not one that charges you by the hour or each time you see them. The lawyer I found charges a flat-rate fee.

[aht30 0]

Hi Guys,

Thank you so much for all of your advice.

By the sounds of it the best way for us to function will be to only use the services of a lawyer if we come across a roadblock. Especially because we are both English speaker, my fiancee used to deal with similar forms in the army and at the moment there aren't any red flags.

Such a helpful community to be a part of!

All the best,

Nina

[kitthekat 1,317]

Hi Guys,

Thank you so much for all of your advice.

By the sounds of it the best way for us to function will be to only use the services of a lawyer if we come across a roadblock. Especially because we are both English speaker, my fiancee used to deal with similar forms in the army and at the moment there aren't any red flags.

Such a helpful community to be a part of!

All the best,

Nina

Best of luck with your petition!

[slowlyman 118]

The process is not difficult, but it can be confusing at times. If your case is simple and straight forward, you are basically paying someone to fill out the forms. An attorney can not expedite or delay an application. (regardless what they say) The process will run it's course regardless who fills out the paperwork.

Spend some time reading threads here on VJ. Some folks had a great experience with the attorney, some not so much.

We have been doing everything our self, so far it has worked out well.

Another couple here in town paid an attorney a flat fee $4,000 for the 129 - AOS. There were issues with the beneficiary regarding an over stay and previous K-1 Visa.

Another friend found an attorney who charges per call. When he had a question or concern he just picked up the phone and got good advice for a small fee.

If you have the extra money, an attorney can take you out of the process, but this is an expensive journey as it is. I've been amazed at the hidden costs. Adding the cost of an attorney was an expense we didn't want to shoulder.

[baron555 934]

Hi All,

My fiancee and I are just starting this process. Looking at all of the information and compiling the pack has been our main focus.

However, the use of an immigration lawyer has been suggested by a number of friends and family.

We are both a little confused about exactly what a lawyer might be able to bring to the table. Does anyone have any experience of a lawyer helping or harming the process? Or did anyone feel it was not worth the expense?

All the best,

Nina

They will help relieve you of your money.... They also usually slow the process down.

[Ilovemyman 147]

Waste money with a lawyer.

If you dont have police problem, then do process alone.

My fiance and me we do the process alone and we were approved.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

If you do go with a lawyer, make sure they are easy to contact and approachable.

Though these are worst-case scenarios, I have read on here about people not receiving their NOA1s or 2s from their lawyers despite multiple attempts to contact them. It can be stressful when you are kept out of the loop of your own case, especially if input is needed before it can continue.

I have also read about people whose lawyers insisted they didn't need to send relationship evidence with their I-130 and they subsequently received RFEs (or their lawyer did and never told them, causing the petition to be rejected).

So yeah, don't go with the cheapest one. Go with someone with an excellent track record.

Or even better, do it all yourself so you are completely in the loop and can deal with issues as and when they arise. Chances are, this will be smooth sailing for you.

Edited January 1, 2014 by Ketsuban

[Faycel and Renee 30]

I work in law and if you have some issues that you think will arise then get a lawyer but if not do not waste your time. He won't be able to make the process any faster. All he does is do the paperwork, file it, and checks the status, that's something you can do yourself. Call on the VJ members in your UK circle and get all the answers you want for free.

Good luck

[ToddB 10]

From someone in the k-1 process right now...If I had to do it again???? I would NOT use a lawyer. Just as people here have said. Unless you feel you may have some special circumstances. DO IT YOURSELF. Everything you need to know is right here.

My lawyer is/was very good, and I would recommend them IF someone does not feel comfortable enough to approach this on their own. BUT, be advised...ALL a lawyer is going to do is assemble your k-1 specific forms, and documents.

You have to send all this to the lawyer...why not do it yourself???

Mine charged a flat fee, and like I said...I would recommend them, no problem. But I will not be using a lawyer for AOS, and there on.

Good luck!!!!