Advice on whether to use a lawyer

[john_and_marlene 162]

I often see others here suggest that noone with a simple case should use a lawyer.

It appears their basis for this advice is their personal experience.

To blanketly advise against a lawyer because they were able to do it solo would presume that they, themselves, must be the lowest common denominator in the gene pool. Wouldn't they otherwise consider the possibility that others may not be as capable as themselves?

I gather from my musings on this topic that the offers of advice come with a deep understanding that all people are at least as capable as those offering the advice.

If the advice is given by the mose incapable person, should you be taking their advice?????

I've given the following translation on more than one occassion:

I didn't use a lawyer and you shouldn't either = I'm willing to risk your future with my advice.

[Robor007 0]

I didn't use a lawyer but I did hire an 'immigration expert' in the area of Philippines > US. Did I need to? Maybe not but the process went smooth and fairly quick. It's impossible to tell if it would have gone as fast but I can say for sure it's nice having someone to Email/call when I had a question.

From the fees I've heard I do think some of the lawyers overcharge for this process though.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I always advise that a initial meeting with an immigration lawyer is a good thing then it is up to you if you choose to hire their services..... we had a chat with a very good immigration lawyer to go over our case and to advise us if she saw any area's that might make things harder for us.... she did say that she felt we were more than able to file all the forms ourselves and if we needed further help or just to go over how things were going she would see us again....

Kez

[Fandango 1,439]

I didn't use a lawyer and you shouldn't either = I'm willing to risk your future with my advice.

What's the risk to the person giving the advice? It's the person who's asking a bunch of strangers who holds the responsibility.

However, I never advise anyone to not use a lawyer.

[reeses16 8]

I think most people here have said that the choice to use a lawyer depends on the circumstances of each individual case. Admittedly, VJ most benefits those of us who choose not to use a lawyer (providing forms, examples, timelines, guides etc.) while at the same time helping those who do hire a lawyer understand the process and be informed and able to double check the lawyers.

I chose not to hire a lawyer. When I completed the forms for our case, I could not imagine a lawyer being able to answer these questions without me gathering all of the evidence to fill out the forms. My case is very straight forward, and I decided that I might as well just complete it myself and save my money for th filling fees to come.

I don't think any VJers want to risk someone else's case or future. I'm sorry you feel that way. We all have the same objective in mind, help each other through a complex and frustrating mountain of paperwork and laws to get our family members to the US.

I often see others here suggest that noone with a simple case should use a lawyer.

It appears their basis for this advice is their personal experience.

To blanketly advise against a lawyer because they were able to do it solo would presume that they, themselves, must be the lowest common denominator in the gene pool. Wouldn't they otherwise consider the possibility that others may not be as capable as themselves?

I gather from my musings on this topic that the offers of advice come with a deep understanding that all people are at least as capable as those offering the advice.

If the advice is given by the mose incapable person, should you be taking their advice?????

I've given the following translation on more than one occassion:

I didn't use a lawyer and you shouldn't either = I'm willing to risk your future with my advice.

[Mags 112]

Everyone is different. Person number 1 can handle paperwork and visa applications wonderfully. However, they may not be able to swim very well. Therefore I'd say they probably shouldn't need a lawyer but should take swimming lessons.

Person number 2 is poor at paperwork but can swim wonderfully well. They probably would fare better with using a lawyer, but wouldn't need swimming lessons.

The point of this rather silly tale is to say that we all have our strengths and weaknesses. It is up to each person to recognise that and take responsibility for that decision. If you can't swim very well, then it is obvious that you should have some lessons. If you find filling in paperwork a chore and confusing then perhaps a lawyer is the best route for you to take.

[Emancipation 2]

Everyone is different. Person number 1 can handle paperwork and visa applications wonderfully. However, they may not be able to swim very well. Therefore I'd say they probably shouldn't need a lawyer but should take swimming lessons.

Person number 2 is poor at paperwork but can swim wonderfully well. They probably would fare better with using a lawyer, but wouldn't need swimming lessons.

The point of this rather silly tale is to say that we all have our strengths and weaknesses. It is up to each person to recognise that and take responsibility for that decision. If you can't swim very well, then it is obvious that you should have some lessons. If you find filling in paperwork a chore and confusing then perhaps a lawyer is the best route for you to take.

Great post! For me a few years back.. I had a non-contested divorce a while back - you can do that without a lawyer, and pay the fees and do it yourself.. but there was NO way I was going to attempt that one myself.. too much legaleeze.. too many "templates" to figure out. SO i paid 1000$ and had a lawyer do all the crappy paperwork for me.. NO regrets there.

When we decided to start this journey, we knew we could probably figure our way through. We did it and we have no regrets doing it alone. 2 different situations 2 different responses..

Edited June 11, 2007 by Emancipation

[JoeMama 0]

When I made the decision to embark on my visa journey. I was not sure which way to go. Attorney or no attorney. Then I found Visa Journey and did it on my own. I saw the light. For I was blind. But now I see!

[^KK^ 3]

It was my idea to do it myself. My fiance insisted on using a lawyer...I was able to visit him 3 time with the money i would've used for a lawyer.

Just my take on it...no recommendation.

[isleta521 5]

When I made the decision to embark on my visa journey. I was not sure which way to go. Attorney or no attorney. Then I found Visa Journey and did it on my own. I saw the light. For I was blind. But now I see!

Like you I was blind too. Unlike you I did not know about VJ and hired an IM attorney. Then it became the blind leading the blind which almost resulted in complete disaster for us.

I have always mentioned my own personal experience on this. I did this because I thought, once you have a lawyer that specializes in this type of litigation that you are relatively safe. Well that is not always the case as our experience suggests.

[Nancy2015 2]

We would have used a lawyer, but we are so poor, we could hardly afford to pay the AOS fees

[Jamie76 0]

It's a personal choice. I know that if I truly had the time to sit down and do everything, I could have by myself....that being said, I have been so busy getting ready to move etc that I decided to get some help. It's also nice to know that there is someone taking care of things while I am getting set up elsewhere.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

No one is forced to follow my crappy advice.

[MissStacey 1]

Everyone is different. Person number 1 can handle paperwork and visa applications wonderfully. However, they may not be able to swim very well. Therefore I'd say they probably shouldn't need a lawyer but should take swimming lessons.

Person number 2 is poor at paperwork but can swim wonderfully well. They probably would fare better with using a lawyer, but wouldn't need swimming lessons.

The point of this rather silly tale is to say that we all have our strengths and weaknesses. It is up to each person to recognise that and take responsibility for that decision. If you can't swim very well, then it is obvious that you should have some lessons. If you find filling in paperwork a chore and confusing then perhaps a lawyer is the best route for you to take.

Great post! For me a few years back.. I had a non-contested divorce a while back - you can do that without a lawyer, and pay the fees and do it yourself.. but there was NO way I was going to attempt that one myself.. too much legaleeze.. too many "templates" to figure out. SO i paid 1000$ and had a lawyer do all the crappy paperwork for me.. NO regrets there.

When we decided to start this journey, we knew we could probably figure our way through. We did it and we have no regrets doing it alone. 2 different situations 2 different responses..

The "Do it Yourself" Divorce kit!! I started it and filed it on my own, but I did get a Lawyer to finish it. I only had to pay her $300 to finish.

[minglevi 0]

can any one suggest any immigration lawyer in Seattle Washington?