Attorney situation...

[PV&PL 0]

Hi...I'm just starting out my I-129F paperwork journey for my fiancé and I...and it's already so overwhelming. He lives in Laos and the process to get him here with that country seem dawning if you're not doing the paperwork correctly as to their standard. While I was with him over there 2 months ago, we did all his documents that we needed him to have. I have taken copies of them with me when I came back to the states, like copy his passports, birth certificates, police records, etc... so I can start the I-129F asap. I have been watching youtube videos and researching alot on my own so I kind of have an idea how how the process goes but is still afraid of not knowing everything. I wanted to get an attorney to help me with the process. I've talked to 2 people, one is an attorney and one is a preparer that owns her own firm to help people with immigration issues and such. The attorney charges pretty expensive and the preparer is not very good at getting back to me with my questions. Both of them lives 5 hours driving from where I am so I decided to not work with them.

 

Two weeks ago I connected with one of my relative whose husband is an attorney. Yesterday, I met with him and we started the 129F paperwork from where I left off (because I've already started a little into it myself). He helped me with the rest of the 129F but doesn't want to provide his information on the i-129F where it ask for the preparer's information but he filled out the G-28 form, is that okay? I asked him why doesn't he want to provide his information on the I-129F but fill out the G-28 then? He said it's the same thing as he is already representing me when he fills out the G-28 form. Whatever paper I get from USICS, he will be getting them also so I don't need to worry...but I'm worry that might confuse USCIS. I perceive to ask him other questions, like do I need a cover letter? He said no...just sent all the forms, needed documents, pictures, etc.. in like a pile of papers. No need to assemble them nicely basically. But I'm seeing everyone on youtubes assembles their package neatly and nicely, with cover letters...but this attorney says I don't need to do that. On the top of the he was unsure of how to answer some of the questions on the 129F too... Prior to our meeting, my aunt had said he has helped many couple in the past...I thought to myself if he said he had done these paperwork for other people before why does he act unsure looking at mines? UGhhh...,we didn't get this package done, but I've already paid him $500 cause he says that's how much he's charging me upfront. So yeah I paid him but I don't feel good about his work. I left home (1hr 30 driving from his house) feeling like #######, more confused about the whole process than I did before I met up with him. 

 

Can the attorney just represent you using the G28 form and not be mentioned on the I-129F? Or it doesn't work that way?

 

And he's already filled the I-864 form for me to sent in with the I-129F package...is that even right? My understanding is the I-864 doesn't get fill out until my fiance is in the state and after we married within 90 days. I asked him shouldn't we wait to fill out this form after he comes to the states and that we should be filling out the 134 form first instead? He says we can't fill out the 134 form. The form is only filled out by fiancé in Laos when is time. Yeah totally confusing. 

 

I feel like he's not doing this right and just being sloppy with me...like he doesn't know what he is doing or doesn't want to me make better efforts in helping me...because he's not charging me the service fee amount that he would if I was a total stranger. He's charging me $500 instead of $1500 or $1800. 

 

They say never do business with families...isn't that right?  Someone tell me if I should just drop out of him continuing to help me any further and just take it as a loss of the money I already paid him. I feel like he might be pointing me in the wrong direction and may cause me delays in the future.  

 

 

 

 

[powerpuff 6,685]

To answer your question, yes, you should drop him. From what you’re telling he is advising you regarding the process - it is false. $500 is not that bad of a loss considering he probably would have cost you much more down the line, including delays and a whole lot of stress.

Vast majority of us here have filled out the forms on our own. If you feel like you need help and can’t do it on your own, you should do research and look for recommendations regarding attorneys. VJ has some partners here, also you can look for them in aila.org.

 

Also, a strong word of advice, please do not rely on YouTube videos….. we have seen so much false information coming from there.

Edited August 28, 2022 by powerpuff

[Crazy Cat 41,814]

33 minutes ago, PV&PL said:

Hi...I'm just starting out my I-129F paperwork journey for my fiancé and I...and it's already so overwhelming. He lives in Laos and the process to get him here with that country seem dawning if you're not doing the paperwork correctly as to their standard. While I was with him over there 2 months ago, we did all his documents that we needed him to have. I have taken copies of them with me when I came back to the states, like copy his passports, birth certificates, police records, etc... so I can start the I-129F asap. I have been watching youtube videos and researching alot on my own so I kind of have an idea how how the process goes but is still afraid of not knowing everything. I wanted to get an attorney to help me with the process. I've talked to 2 people, one is an attorney and one is a preparer that owns her own firm to help people with immigration issues and such. The attorney charges pretty expensive and the preparer is not very good at getting back to me with my questions. Both of them lives 5 hours driving from where I am so I decided to not work with them.

 

Two weeks ago I connected with one of my relative whose husband is an attorney. Yesterday, I met with him and we started the 129F paperwork from where I left off (because I've already started a little into it myself). He helped me with the rest of the 129F but doesn't want to provide his information on the i-129F where it ask for the preparer's information but he filled out the G-28 form, is that okay? I asked him why doesn't he want to provide his information on the I-129F but fill out the G-28 then? He said it's the same thing as he is already representing me when he fills out the G-28 form. Whatever paper I get from USICS, he will be getting them also so I don't need to worry...but I'm worry that might confuse USCIS. I perceive to ask him other questions, like do I need a cover letter? He said no...just sent all the forms, needed documents, pictures, etc.. in like a pile of papers. No need to assemble them nicely basically. But I'm seeing everyone on youtubes assembles their package neatly and nicely, with cover letters...but this attorney says I don't need to do that. On the top of the he was unsure of how to answer some of the questions on the 129F too... Prior to our meeting, my aunt had said he has helped many couple in the past...I thought to myself if he said he had done these paperwork for other people before why does he act unsure looking at mines? UGhhh...,we didn't get this package done, but I've already paid him $500 cause he says that's how much he's charging me upfront. So yeah I paid him but I don't feel good about his work. I left home (1hr 30 driving from his house) feeling like #######, more confused about the whole process than I did before I met up with him. 

 

Can the attorney just represent you using the G28 form and not be mentioned on the I-129F? Or it doesn't work that way?

 

And he's already filled the I-864 form for me to sent in with the I-129F package...is that even right? My understanding is the I-864 doesn't get fill out until my fiance is in the state and after we married within 90 days. I asked him shouldn't we wait to fill out this form after he comes to the states and that we should be filling out the 134 form first instead? He says we can't fill out the 134 form. The form is only filled out by fiancé in Laos when is time. Yeah totally confusing. 

 

I feel like he's not doing this right and just being sloppy with me...like he doesn't know what he is doing or doesn't want to me make better efforts in helping me...because he's not charging me the service fee amount that he would if I was a total stranger. He's charging me $500 instead of $1500 or $1800. 

 

They say never do business with families...isn't that right?  Someone tell me if I should just drop out of him continuing to help me any further and just take it as a loss of the money I already paid him. I feel like he might be pointing me in the wrong direction and may cause me delays in the future.  

 

 

 

 

I would drop him like a hot potato.  He sounds unorganized, unprofessional, and lacking in very basic immigration process  knowledge.  Why throw more money down the drain? 

Edited August 28, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Maki&Kiki 123]

Follow the visa k1 guide posted on this forum, rather than youtube. Just because he is attorney doesn’t mean he knows what he is doing. On different forum, woman was saying that they just sent their application and was asking how long marriage visa application takes to be processed because she needs her passport to travel. Turns out attorney told her usc husband that it’s required to send PASSPORTS together with petition to uscis which they did!

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

to file the petition there are very few documents needed at this stage

its not complicated /its read what is needed to support the initial petition,  gather those documents,  and sit down and fill out the petition

u do need a statement from him (also needed from  u) saying that he intends to marry u within 90 days of US entry if granted the K1 visa

 

no I 864 until married here and doing AOS

criminal report and I 134 are needed for the interview in Lagos (not now)

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-129

 

u really don't need a lawyer unless the case is complicated like one of u has a criminal background

lawyer offices do mess up many a petition and u , the USC,  are totally responsible for the petition when u sign it

 

[Boiler 45,449]

Wondering why you did not marry and go CR1

[PV&PL 0]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

I would drop him like a hot potato.  He sounds unorganized, unprofessional, and lacking in very basic immigration process  knowledge.  Why throw more money down the drain? 

I hate myself right now. I already had it in my gut that he was gonna be sloppy with me...prior to meeting up yesterday I asked if we should reschedule because he asked if I had stubs from my work to go with the 129F package? I didn't think we needed right now so I didn't get it. I was attempting to postponed our meeting for the next weekend. I was having a bad feeling...but darn it I didn't listen to my gut feeling. 

[PV&PL 0]

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

to file the petition there are very few documents needed at this stage

its not complicated /its read what is needed to support the initial petition,  gather those documents,  and sit down and fill out the petition

u do need a statement from him (also needed from  u) saying that he intends to marry u within 90 days of US entry if granted the K1 visa

 

no I 864 until married here and doing AOS

criminal report and I 134 are needed for the interview in Lagos (not now)

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-129

 

u really don't need a lawyer unless the case is complicated like one of u has a criminal background

lawyer offices do mess up many a petition and u , the USC,  are totally responsible for the petition when u sign it

 

Thanks for your input. 

I feel like i need a lawyer because I saw people on youtube commenting and even real people tell me their K-1 visa case hasn't still been work, or having issues...since they filed it last year. I got scare and thinking that having a lawyer is better.

[PV&PL 0]

1 hour ago, Kittinpaw said:

Follow the visa k1 guide posted on this forum, rather than youtube. Just because he is attorney doesn’t mean he knows what he is doing. On different forum, woman was saying that they just sent their application and was asking how long marriage visa application takes to be processed because she needs her passport to travel. Turns out attorney told her usc husband that it’s required to send PASSPORTS together with petition to uscis which they did!

Wow that's crazy! Hope she can get her passport back. 

 

Thanks for the infos. 

12 minutes ago, PV&PL said:

Thanks for your input. I hate myself right now. I already had it in my gut that he was gonna be sloppy with me...prior to meeting up yesterday I asked if we should reschedule because he asked if I had stubs from my work to go with the 129F package? I didn't think we needed right now so I didn't get it. I was attempting to postponed our meeting for the next weekend. I was having a bad feeling...but darn it I didn't listen to my gut feeling. 

 

Edited August 28, 2022 by PV&PL

[slavaskii 886]

Don't hate yourself; because you (rightfully) questioned his ineptitudes, you found yourself to a forum that'll actually help you get things done for free. With how disorganized this guy is, there's likely a chance he'd have shipped your packet off to the wrong place and forgotten to tell you of the rejection.

 

To reiterate what everyone has said above, the guides here on VisaJourney are phenomenal. If you are ever confused, people are always here to answer your questions - and you know the responses will be correct, as most of us have direct experience with successful K1 petitions. Also take a moment to consider @Boiler's suggestion of the spousal visa, as something I'm sure the attorney didn't mention to you is that K1s are no longer fast. Wish you best of luck in your journey and welcome to VJ.

[Ontarkie 14,218]

Don't beat yourself up. You knew enough to search google and found VJ. 

 

The wait times are long, nothing is fast with immigration. Covid slowed things down a lot, but some places are speeding things up. They are still not fast but faster. Yes, ppl are waiting a year plus and that is not something a lawyer can speed up. If anything ones like the guy you met with will only slow things down. If you're lucky that is all he will do. 

Do yourself a favour and skip the family/lawyer guy. Stay on VJ and do everything yourself. 

 

Read up on the CR1 also since you haven't started anything to see if its a better fit to you both.

Edited August 28, 2022 by Ontarkie

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

FYI having a lawyer does not, in any way, make the process quicker.

I echo other posters, consider marrying in Laos or a 3rd country & filing for a spousal visa instead.

The timeline, filing to visa in hand, is similar but spousal visa is cheaper and your spouse will have LPR status (be able to work & travel) as soon as he arrives to the US on a spousal visa.

[iwannaplay54 985]

Suggest to follow the guides above and put your own package together.  
 

Lawyers……complicate things unnecessarily and add little to no value to the outcome.  

[SteveInBostonI130 3,432]

8 hours ago, PV&PL said:

Hi...I'm just starting out my I-129F paperwork journey for my fiancé and I...and it's already so overwhelming. He lives in Laos and the process to get him here with that country seem dawning if you're not doing the paperwork correctly as to their standard. While I was with him over there 2 months ago, we did all his documents that we needed him to have. I have taken copies of them with me when I came back to the states, like copy his passports, birth certificates, police records, etc... so I can start the I-129F asap. I have been watching youtube videos and researching alot on my own so I kind of have an idea how how the process goes but is still afraid of not knowing everything. I wanted to get an attorney to help me with the process. I've talked to 2 people, one is an attorney and one is a preparer that owns her own firm to help people with immigration issues and such. The attorney charges pretty expensive and the preparer is not very good at getting back to me with my questions. Both of them lives 5 hours driving from where I am so I decided to not work with them.

 

Two weeks ago I connected with one of my relative whose husband is an attorney. Yesterday, I met with him and we started the 129F paperwork from where I left off (because I've already started a little into it myself). He helped me with the rest of the 129F but doesn't want to provide his information on the i-129F where it ask for the preparer's information but he filled out the G-28 form, is that okay? I asked him why doesn't he want to provide his information on the I-129F but fill out the G-28 then? He said it's the same thing as he is already representing me when he fills out the G-28 form. Whatever paper I get from USICS, he will be getting them also so I don't need to worry...but I'm worry that might confuse USCIS. I perceive to ask him other questions, like do I need a cover letter? He said no...just sent all the forms, needed documents, pictures, etc.. in like a pile of papers. No need to assemble them nicely basically. But I'm seeing everyone on youtubes assembles their package neatly and nicely, with cover letters...but this attorney says I don't need to do that. On the top of the he was unsure of how to answer some of the questions on the 129F too... Prior to our meeting, my aunt had said he has helped many couple in the past...I thought to myself if he said he had done these paperwork for other people before why does he act unsure looking at mines? UGhhh...,we didn't get this package done, but I've already paid him $500 cause he says that's how much he's charging me upfront. So yeah I paid him but I don't feel good about his work. I left home (1hr 30 driving from his house) feeling like #######, more confused about the whole process than I did before I met up with him. 

 

Can the attorney just represent you using the G28 form and not be mentioned on the I-129F? Or it doesn't work that way?

 

And he's already filled the I-864 form for me to sent in with the I-129F package...is that even right? My understanding is the I-864 doesn't get fill out until my fiance is in the state and after we married within 90 days. I asked him shouldn't we wait to fill out this form after he comes to the states and that we should be filling out the 134 form first instead? He says we can't fill out the 134 form. The form is only filled out by fiancé in Laos when is time. Yeah totally confusing. 

 

I feel like he's not doing this right and just being sloppy with me...like he doesn't know what he is doing or doesn't want to me make better efforts in helping me...because he's not charging me the service fee amount that he would if I was a total stranger. He's charging me $500 instead of $1500 or $1800. 

 

They say never do business with families...isn't that right?  Someone tell me if I should just drop out of him continuing to help me any further and just take it as a loss of the money I already paid him. I feel like he might be pointing me in the wrong direction and may cause me delays in the future.  

 

First, I would drop that lawyer.

 

Second, you collected evidence that is not needed.  Birth certificate, passport and police report of the beneficiary is not needed until the interview stage, and even then it is what your fiance will bring with him and has no use in your hands.  Infact, the police clearance certificate might be expired by the time your fiance needs to use it.

 

For difficult countries, people frontload relationship evidence, like boarding passes and photos of time spent together.  The only required submittals for the I-129F are proof that the petitioner is a USC, signed letters of intent to marry, and proof that you met in person within the last 2 years.  Other things that may be needed is any divorce certificates (if applicable), proof that website/agency follows marriage broker regulations (if you met through a marriage broker), and court documents regarding crimes (if applicable).

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by SteveInBostonI130

[MarJhi 958]

38 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

They say never do business with families...isn't that right?  Someone tell me if I should just drop out of him continuing to help me any further and just take it as a loss of the money I already paid him. I feel like he might be pointing me in the wrong direction and may cause me delays in the future. 

I think it's fine to do business with family if they are competent, but if they are doing it for you at a discounted rate you might also be getting discounted effort. 

 

As for losing the money you already paid him, think about it this way. Imagine it's 18 months from now and you still haven't gotten your NOA2 because of incompetence, how much would you pay to have it in your hands? Dropping that lawyer now and taking the $500 loss might end up saving you 6 months of waiting on the back end of this process.

 

If you want to use an attorney (we are using one), then make sure you have complete confidence in them, research them.