Using a law firm to file K-1 visa request

[Myn4kix 12]

I'm using a law firm to file our K-1 visa request and make sure I don't miss anything.

I know this will not speed up the process, I'm just paying to get it done right the first time.

I hired Law Offices of Lawrence Gruner, Inc. Sacramento. 

Anybody else use a firm for this? If so how was the experience?

Our application was mailed this week Oct.1 and waiting for receipt 

 

 

[Dashinka 24,493]

Using a lawyer is a personal decision.  In our case we did not use on, but after reading several posts of those that did where the law firm messed up in some way, my only advice is to make sure you double check anything your firm does, all forms they file, and all notices they receive on your behalf.

 

Good Luck!

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

We used an attorney (not your attorney) for my wife's CR-1.  In my opinion, they failed to send some documents, and provided us with inaccurate information which delayed our case by several months.  As a result, our case was at NVC for 23 weeks.........We did not use an attorney for her ROC.

 

 

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

you are responsible for the application and documents being correct

so,  check all from the attorney to make sure there are no mistakes

you already signed and it was sent but still check it and send notice to correct if needed

one attorney left children off the application

[payxibka 10,045]

10 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

 

one attorney left children off the application

As well as other similar egregious errors 

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

I never used an attorney for anything in my 17 years in the US. I did all my applications on my own, and I was on J1, F1, CPT, OPT, H1B, AOS, and naturalization. I also did my sister-in-law’s ROC and naturalization, as well as another sister-in-law’s CR1, then her husband’s ROC and now his naturalization. Oh And I sponsored my mom IR5 as well. I never had any problems, no denials whatsoever. I only received 1 RFE in my life, and that was on the I-140 that my employer’s lawyer filed ( no surprise there) which wasn’t even my application but it was part of my AOS of course. 

 

That’s not to put down immigration lawyers. There are some really good honest high caliber lawyer (and some really bad slimy ones too). You need to realize what lawyers are good for, which are filing briefs, legal documents, writs, lawsuits, arguing in courts.... basically putting legal arguments together, citing precedents and relevant case laws. What they’re not good for: filling forms!

[SalishSea 17,827]

4 hours ago, Myn4kix said:

I'm using a law firm to file our K-1 visa request and make sure I don't miss anything.

I know this will not speed up the process, I'm just paying to get it done right the first time.

I hired Law Offices of Lawrence Gruner, Inc. Sacramento. 

Anybody else use a firm for this? If so how was the experience?

Our application was mailed this week Oct.1 and waiting for receipt 

 

 

Unfortunately, "paying to get it done right the first time" has not been the experience of many here who went through attorneys.  Unless someone has a criminal background or needs a waiver of some sort, they tend to create delays for many people.

[Pitaya 2,577]

6 hours ago, Myn4kix said:

I'm using a law firm to file our K-1 visa request and make sure I don't miss anything.

I know this will not speed up the process, I'm just paying to get it done right the first time.

I hired Law Offices of Lawrence Gruner, Inc. Sacramento. 

Anybody else use a firm for this? If so how was the experience?

Our application was mailed this week Oct.1 and waiting for receipt 

 

 

There are many people on this DIY immigration site that would likely disagree with your notion that the use of an immigration attorney is " to make sure it is done right the first time." Actually, there are likely several folks that are quite disappointed with the mediocre to poor service they received from immigration attorneys working on simple, uncomplicated cases. A competent immigration attorney is likely very much necessary for complicated difficult multi-faceted cases. 

 

YMMV.

[Unlockable 7,314]

15 hours ago, Myn4kix said:

 

I know this will not speed up the process, I'm just paying to get it done right the first time.

 

There is no guarantee in that. In fact, if I had time, I would post several VJ threads of examples how lawyers messed up cases of members here. I think the most recent was one that was posted last week or two.

[flfreddy 92]

Like service, it varies with the attorney.    My Attorney charged me $4500.  (later I realized.. errr why so high).

She did make a few mistakes like beneficiary country is a province, a field left unchecked in I-134 etc.

But the value she provided was more of front loading the USCIS part.  My wedding package was about 40 pages, way beyond the 2 signed letters.   Relationship proof was 9 trips at submission with photos tickets itinerary receipts etc.

My Law brushes certified copies were checked by her, but the most important part was she was able to explain to my beneficiary in mandarin what to do, what to expect in Guangzhou China, and dry run Q&A.

 

Worth it or not? I am not sure.  but we have no RFE, now P3 phase.

NOA1 5/28/19

NOA2 8/28/19

NVC 9/25/19

Arrive Emabassy 10/7/19

Admin Processing 10/10/19

 

Edited October 10, 2019 by flfreddy

[Dxc 12]

Good lord $4500 for a k1 application. I am in the wrong business for sure. Save yourself the money and spend a couple hours doing it yourself. If you can kinda read and kinda follow directions you can do it. Any questions just come here for advice from people that have gone through it. Most here want to help others succeed and help for free without digging every dime out of you. IMO this is far too important to leave in the hands of someone who really doesnt care (at the end of the day they are doing it for money and not to help you out) whether you get approved or denied. If they were invested in it as much as you they would refund your money on reasonable denial.

[flfreddy 92]

12 hours ago, Dxc said:

Good lord $4500 for a k1 application. I am in the wrong business for sure. Save yourself the money and spend a couple hours doing it yourself. If you can kinda read and kinda follow directions you can do it. Any questions just come here for advice from people that have gone through it. Most here want to help others succeed and help for free without digging every dime out of you. IMO this is far too important to leave in the hands of someone who really doesnt care (at the end of the day they are doing it for money and not to help you out) whether you get approved or denied. If they were invested in it as much as you they would refund your money on reasonable denial.

The deviation from a simple case was because of my previous brush with law and its 2nd K1.   So its high i agree, but value in the advice and details maybe.  I am thinking AOS later just DIY with VJ help.

[Myn4kix 12]

22 hours ago, Dxc said:

Good lord $4500 for a k1 application. I am in the wrong business for sure. Save yourself the money and spend a couple hours doing it yourself. If you can kinda read and kinda follow directions you can do it. Any questions just come here for advice from people that have gone through it. Most here want to help others succeed and help for free without digging every dime out of you. IMO this is far too important to leave in the hands of someone who really doesnt care (at the end of the day they are doing it for money and not to help you out) whether you get approved or denied. If they were invested in it as much as you they would refund your money on reasonable denial.

Too bad I didn't find out about this site until after I signed the contract.

[Myn4kix 12]

On 10/10/2019 at 7:42 PM, Unlockable said:

There is no guarantee in that. In fact, if I had time, I would post several VJ threads of examples how lawyers messed up cases of members here. I think the most recent was one that was posted last week or two.

I wish I had found this site before I signed the contract. I'll track my progress so others can compare.

[Myn4kix 12]

I wish I had found this site sooner I would have taken heed of the warnings regarding using a visa services.

The Larwence Gruner Law firm said my application was mailed the last week of September. No exact date provided. 

Here on the 16th of October I still have not been notified of receipt.