Lawyer messed up I-485. What should I expect?

[candypaint1002 1]

I signed my I-485 forms with post date in early October because I was busy with work and want to spend time to review the package the lawyer drafted for me. This is something that I communicated from the beginning.

 

This morning the lawyer told me that they sent my package and it has been received by USCIS.

 

I was livid, but nothing can be done at this point. Will USCIS return my forms? Is there going to be any complications with my application?

 

Thanks for the help.

[arken 4,197]

Edit:

Yeah, it could be rejected/returned back. No complications other than time loss. Lesson learned: Don't sign the forms unless reviewed and ready.

Edited September 14, 2022 by arken

[candypaint1002 1]

Thanks for the reassurance Arken. Do you know if somebody will do a preliminary check before the forms are processed (and rejected at this step) or it will go straight to the USCIS officer?

 

And surely a lesson learned. No more post date signatures, and a more robust communication with the lawyer. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

14 minutes ago, candypaint1002 said:

Thanks for the reassurance Arken. Do you know if somebody will do a preliminary check before the forms are processed (and rejected at this step) or it will go straight to the USCIS officer?

 

And surely a lesson learned. No more post date signatures, and a more robust communication with the lawyer. 

Follow up question: Why are you using a lawyer?

[candypaint1002 1]

40 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

Follow up question: Why are you using a lawyer?

They filed our I-140 and it was a success. They also offered a discount if we file I-485 with them.

[arken 4,197]

1 hour ago, candypaint1002 said:

Do you know if somebody will do a preliminary check before the forms are processed (and rejected at this step)

This is usually the case. 
 

In case that someone doesn't notice that and accept your forms to send it to an IO, you may get an RFE later.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 hour ago, candypaint1002 said:

They filed our I-140 and it was a success. They also offered a discount if we file I-485 with them.

Ok. (unsolicited) advice: if you do not have a complicated case, criminal records or previous denials, you don't need a lawyer.

[OldUser 6,713]

31 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

Ok. (unsolicited) advice: if you do not have a complicated case, criminal records or previous denials, you don't need a lawyer.

I think it's very individual. I personally would have made a few mistakes if my attorney wasn't helping with preparing the case. There were questions I didn't know how to answer properly, even though my case was simple.

Surely, you could ask questions on forums etc, but online help vs professional help? I'd take the latter on any day. Especially if one can afford it.

Edited September 14, 2022 by OldUser

[Rocio0010 5,579]

2 hours ago, OldUser said:

I'd take the latter on any day.

We can respectfully agree to disagree. I have seen attorneys doing HORRIBLE, ROOKIE mistakes and then not being held accountable. My take is nobody really cares about your case as much as you do.... 

[OldUser 6,713]

34 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

We can respectfully agree to disagree. I have seen attorneys doing HORRIBLE, ROOKIE mistakes and then not being held accountable. My take is nobody really cares about your case as much as you do.... 

Yes, ultimately the beneficiary is the one who cares the most. That's why I always had multiple checks of forms before attorney submitted them. And asked questions if I didn't understand something.

[Scandi 4,166]

8 hours ago, OldUser said:

I think it's very individual. I personally would have made a few mistakes if my attorney wasn't helping with preparing the case. There were questions I didn't know how to answer properly, even though my case was simple.

Surely, you could ask questions on forums etc, but online help vs professional help? I'd take the latter on any day. Especially if one can afford it.

If only you knew how often we see people coming on here to ask for advice after their lawyers completely messed up their applications, in some cases also got the petitions denied. And people PAY for that. Professional help isn't always professional.