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How much did you pay your lawyer?

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On 10/1/2023 at 11:35 AM, Cathi said:

For peace of mind, I would never hire an attorney, I'd do it myself, Time after time after time we see people here in VJ asking for advice to fix their cases because the high paid lawyers they hired for "peace of mind" screwed up their cases royally. I'm not exaggerating. The lawyer isn't even the person who will fill out the paperwork, a clerk will. Having a lawyer guarantees nothing and getting "VIP" treatment doesn't mean that clerk will fill out the information correctly. I have been on this site for 11 years now, I've seen and heard it all, almost daily we have people come and say how much the regret ever hiring a so called "immigration" attorney, especially for a straightforward case. Is your brother's best friend an immigration attorney? I'm also curious why you would need a lawyer for "backup" at the interview in case there is a "misunderstanding between you and interviewer"? If you tell the truth there won't be any misunderstandings. Obviously you are free to do as you wish, but you seem so concerned about price and you think that somehow hiring a lawyer will help with your "slam dunk" case. If money is a concern and your case is so air tight, it's precisely why you don't need a lawyer.  

Listen, this is a DIY site, you aren't going to find many, if any, people who tell you to hire an attorney, unless you have a complicated case. In fact, my husband and I had many so called red flags in our case and we never used an attorney during the entire journey, up to and including naturalization. I found this site after our petition had been approved and it was at the NVC, I came here to ask questions when needed, and never once did anyone steer me wrong. Not only did we DIY, we never at any point even received an RFE, I had total control over our case from start to finish. That's what I call peace of mind.

 

I can definitely agree with this. I didn't use a lawyer when I filed for DACA, I-130, I-485, I-751, or the N-400. I only came on VJ for advice because my I-751 was taking forever but everything all worked out in the end. Spent $0 on a lawyer. 

I-751 timeline:

  • 12/04/2018: Mailed I-751 with divorce waiver
  • 12/19/2018: Received by USCIS
  • 5/02/2019: Biometrics appointment
  • 5/03/2019: Case updated to show Fingerprints were taken and applied to my case 
  • 1/28/2020: Received an RFE
  • 2/05/2020: Response To Request For Evidence Was Received by USCIS
  • 8/12/2020: Case received at my local office
  • 9/16/2020: Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview
  • 2/24/2021: Case scheduled for an interview
  • 4/06/2021: Interview done
  • 4/13/2022: Surprise Interview done at  my house
  • 12/08/2022: I-751 with divorce waiver APPROVED!
  • 12/21/2022: 10 yr Green Card Received.

 

N-400 timeline:

  • 01/26/2022: Applied online and received by USCIS, Informed of Biometrics reuse
  • 06/17/2022: Interview scheduled
  • 08/04/2022: Interview done. Passed English and Civics test but no decision could be made due to my pending I-751
  • 06/08/2023: Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed
  • 06/22/2023: Oath Ceremony - FINALLY A US CITIZEN!

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Pakistan
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1 hour ago, Positive_Vibes said:

 

I can definitely agree with this. I didn't use a lawyer when I filed for DACA, I-130, I-485, I-751, or the N-400. I only came on VJ for advice because my I-751 was taking forever but everything all worked out in the end. Spent $0 on a lawyer. 

Thanks. Many DACA also had EWI and multiples too so that is definitely lawyer route. 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Pakistan
Timeline
3 hours ago, RamonGomez said:

We've used the same attorney on and off over the years.

 

For the N400, my wife filled out the forms.  The attorney is charging $600 to familiarize herself with the submitted N400 (1 hour), a 1-hour strategy/prep session before the interview, and the interview itself. So basically $200/hr for 3 hours of her time.

 

We definitely want a witness there in case the USCIS officer acts of line (rare, but happens, and much less likely to happen with an attorney present), if we ever get into a "USCIS's word vs. our word" type of situation, etc. Plus the attorney knows pretty much all the officers there and knows how to handle the few oddballs. And if we run into the rare problem post-interview, like a denial, we already have an attorney that's familiar with the case and can get working on next steps ASAP.

Total was $800? I agree lawyer is a life saver at the interview. We had some miscommunications at my AOS and my lawyer interrupted and had to clarify the answers as well as couple documents that we submitted. Otherwise, I would have had delays in a decision. I was approved the following morning. 
 

Lawyer fees is what YOU value not what others think. 

Edited by Visitor User
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On 10/7/2023 at 2:15 PM, Visitor User said:

For those that had DACA: Was your case a Overstay Visa OR EWI?

Mine was overstay visa

I-751 timeline:

  • 12/04/2018: Mailed I-751 with divorce waiver
  • 12/19/2018: Received by USCIS
  • 5/02/2019: Biometrics appointment
  • 5/03/2019: Case updated to show Fingerprints were taken and applied to my case 
  • 1/28/2020: Received an RFE
  • 2/05/2020: Response To Request For Evidence Was Received by USCIS
  • 8/12/2020: Case received at my local office
  • 9/16/2020: Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview
  • 2/24/2021: Case scheduled for an interview
  • 4/06/2021: Interview done
  • 4/13/2022: Surprise Interview done at  my house
  • 12/08/2022: I-751 with divorce waiver APPROVED!
  • 12/21/2022: 10 yr Green Card Received.

 

N-400 timeline:

  • 01/26/2022: Applied online and received by USCIS, Informed of Biometrics reuse
  • 06/17/2022: Interview scheduled
  • 08/04/2022: Interview done. Passed English and Civics test but no decision could be made due to my pending I-751
  • 06/08/2023: Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed
  • 06/22/2023: Oath Ceremony - FINALLY A US CITIZEN!

 

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46 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

Did you have to leave USA for interview?

No, I filed I-485, which allowed me to adjust while being in the US. 

I-751 timeline:

  • 12/04/2018: Mailed I-751 with divorce waiver
  • 12/19/2018: Received by USCIS
  • 5/02/2019: Biometrics appointment
  • 5/03/2019: Case updated to show Fingerprints were taken and applied to my case 
  • 1/28/2020: Received an RFE
  • 2/05/2020: Response To Request For Evidence Was Received by USCIS
  • 8/12/2020: Case received at my local office
  • 9/16/2020: Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview
  • 2/24/2021: Case scheduled for an interview
  • 4/06/2021: Interview done
  • 4/13/2022: Surprise Interview done at  my house
  • 12/08/2022: I-751 with divorce waiver APPROVED!
  • 12/21/2022: 10 yr Green Card Received.

 

N-400 timeline:

  • 01/26/2022: Applied online and received by USCIS, Informed of Biometrics reuse
  • 06/17/2022: Interview scheduled
  • 08/04/2022: Interview done. Passed English and Civics test but no decision could be made due to my pending I-751
  • 06/08/2023: Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed
  • 06/22/2023: Oath Ceremony - FINALLY A US CITIZEN!

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
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~~MOved to General Immigration Discussion as this turned out to not only discussing attorney fees for N400 but for all processes.~~

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Pakistan
Timeline
3 hours ago, Positive_Vibes said:

No, I filed I-485, which allowed me to adjust while being in the US. 

This was based on marriage?

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27 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

This was based on marriage?

Yes

I-751 timeline:

  • 12/04/2018: Mailed I-751 with divorce waiver
  • 12/19/2018: Received by USCIS
  • 5/02/2019: Biometrics appointment
  • 5/03/2019: Case updated to show Fingerprints were taken and applied to my case 
  • 1/28/2020: Received an RFE
  • 2/05/2020: Response To Request For Evidence Was Received by USCIS
  • 8/12/2020: Case received at my local office
  • 9/16/2020: Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview
  • 2/24/2021: Case scheduled for an interview
  • 4/06/2021: Interview done
  • 4/13/2022: Surprise Interview done at  my house
  • 12/08/2022: I-751 with divorce waiver APPROVED!
  • 12/21/2022: 10 yr Green Card Received.

 

N-400 timeline:

  • 01/26/2022: Applied online and received by USCIS, Informed of Biometrics reuse
  • 06/17/2022: Interview scheduled
  • 08/04/2022: Interview done. Passed English and Civics test but no decision could be made due to my pending I-751
  • 06/08/2023: Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed
  • 06/22/2023: Oath Ceremony - FINALLY A US CITIZEN!

 

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17 hours ago, Visitor User said:

Lawyer was with you at the interview?

No, like I said. I did not use a lawyer for anything. 

I-751 timeline:

  • 12/04/2018: Mailed I-751 with divorce waiver
  • 12/19/2018: Received by USCIS
  • 5/02/2019: Biometrics appointment
  • 5/03/2019: Case updated to show Fingerprints were taken and applied to my case 
  • 1/28/2020: Received an RFE
  • 2/05/2020: Response To Request For Evidence Was Received by USCIS
  • 8/12/2020: Case received at my local office
  • 9/16/2020: Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview
  • 2/24/2021: Case scheduled for an interview
  • 4/06/2021: Interview done
  • 4/13/2022: Surprise Interview done at  my house
  • 12/08/2022: I-751 with divorce waiver APPROVED!
  • 12/21/2022: 10 yr Green Card Received.

 

N-400 timeline:

  • 01/26/2022: Applied online and received by USCIS, Informed of Biometrics reuse
  • 06/17/2022: Interview scheduled
  • 08/04/2022: Interview done. Passed English and Civics test but no decision could be made due to my pending I-751
  • 06/08/2023: Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed
  • 06/22/2023: Oath Ceremony - FINALLY A US CITIZEN!

 

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