Hiring attorney worth it?

[Dave A 0]

Wondering whether or not it’s worth it to hire an attorney (usc / Filipina fiancée / k-1 visa). Thank you!

[TBoneTX 45,328]

Thread is moved from Off Topic to the Philippines regional forum.

Please read the innumerable threads on this exact topic, found in the K-1 Process forum.

[jm302music 25]

1 hour ago, Dave A said:

Wondering whether or not it’s worth it to hire an attorney (usc / Filipina fiancée / k-1 visa). Thank you!

Hi, Dave!

 

I think you'll find that the community here is EXTREMELY helpful with any and all questions that may come up.  So, really, you could get the whole process done just by relying on the information and advice you receive here.

 

That said, there is a dizzying array of confusing and often conflicting information to cut through on your way to completing the process.  So, I think the decision to hire an attorney really comes down to your risk tolerance and budget.  Attorneys can be costly, but you may wind up saving money in the long run due to not stumbling into as many of the (sometimes expensive) pitfalls along the way.

 

In any case, never hesitate to bring your questions here.  As I said, you'll find this community to be extremely helpful and informative.  Best of luck to you!

 

Joel

[geowrian 22,337]

Depends. What issue do you believe an attorney would be helpful with?

If you can't answer that one, it raises the question of why one is needed.

[Broccoli Girl 19]

I agree with Joel. We did the petition ourselves but it took a couple of months to get everything in place (since I also had a full-time job). Most of the questions we had were answered in this forum, using the search bar to make sure I got as many validated answers as possible. At first, we were looking at Youtube videos on the K-1 process but I would say the best is to stick to what USCIS asks for and then this forum (which I also found through a Youtube video on K-1, thank God!)

[Allovertheworld 355]

I would hire Rapid Visa over an attorney any day, I think they have an office very near the USEM.  I don't know why a person would hire an attorney to do a spousal, Fiance or most any kind of visa.  For the most part they are rather simple and not complicated to do.

 

If you are on this site then you have all the information to do it yourself. and now of days it rather simple and you can fill in the forms online.  When I did it you had to get a typewritter and fill in the forms.

 

If you don't have the time and just don't want to fool with doing it, I would look at a Visa service over an attorney, since they specialize in visas.   Attorneys have their place, but for visas unless you have a complicated case then they are waste of time/money. 

[Clarks2021 14]

The forms are free and straightforward I would only hire an attorney if you have some sort of background issue

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

It is a relatively straight forward. I like doing it myself because I had control (relatively) of the process. It also helped me understand what was going on. I think using a lawyer would have just gave me another person or group to keep tabs on.

[Talako 785]

4 hours ago, boris64 said:

I think using a lawyer would have just gave me another person or group to keep tabs on.

I view it as another point of potential failure.

[Allovertheworld 355]

5 hours ago, boris64 said:

It is a relatively straight forward. I like doing it myself because I had control (relatively) of the process. It also helped me understand what was going on. I think using a lawyer would have just gave me another person or group to keep tabs on.

Good Point 

[Allovertheworld 355]

12 minutes ago, Talako said:

I view it as another point of potential failure.

Exactly, They don't have much skin in the game.

 

I have seen more than my fair share of lawyers give wrong information in K1/Spousal visas, especially dealing with the Philippines.  

[Allovertheworld 355]

5 hours ago, Clarks2021 said:

The forms are free and straightforward I would only hire an attorney if you have some sort of background issue

I had probably much more background issues than your average petitioner in Philippines, and I never used or thought about a lawyer.

[RO_AH 1,659]

I did our spousal visa on my own with help here from these forums. With or without a lawyer you will still be the one responsible for getting all of your documentation, information, etc. together.

[John & Rose 7,239]

We did our K-1 with the help of an agency.  We had an RFE, 221 (g) and a denial.  We did our spousal on our own with no RFE, no 221(g) and my wife and step kids made POE in just 9 months from filing.

 

If you have a specific reason for a lawyer then use one.  If you just think they will help, do it yourself.  The lawyer, even a good one, can slow the process down just by adding an additional layer to the communication.  They generally don't know much more about the process than you do but they love your money.  Here you have thousands of people who have already been through it and thousands more in the process.  I recommend doing it yourself with the support offered here.

Edited July 10, 2020 by John & Rose

[Just Paul 4,595]

On 7/7/2020 at 8:52 PM, Dave A said:

Wondering whether or not it’s worth it to hire an attorney (usc / Filipina fiancée / k-1 visa). Thank you!

If you want to get all the documents and copies needed and want to wait and have another party put it on the form and run the chance of making a mistake then an attorney for form service is what you do.  If you can read and understand the forms, post here if needed, then the self filing route is the best way to go.

 

You can look at @John & Rose posts and see how one of the site sponsor/ advertiser messed up their K1/K2  and delayed their journey.

 

We did our own spousal filing, even with a few red flags and  while living in a 3rd country, and got approved and in the US in 103 days!