Do I need a Lawyer for filing I-751 (PLZ HELP)

[Nashy 0]

Hello Guys,

Its finally time for me to file my petition to remove conditional permanent residence. We hired a lawyer all though the process till now. I paid $2,500 including lawyes and filing fees. My spouse wants me to continue to hire a lawyer for this last step also. I feel that I have a good understanding of the process and documents required for filing our petition to remove conditional permanent residence ( I - 751 ). The lawyer is charging $2,200 appox. He didn't come with us to the interview the first time and will charge us seperately if we want him to come with us this time.

I want your advise guys. Should I just hire a lawyer. I think I can file the I - 751 myself. What do most applicants do at this stage of the process.

Thanks all.

Nash.

[payxibka 10,045]

nobody can make that decision for you.... you need to take a personal assessment of you r situation and then decide what is best for you

[MoroccanInTexas 24]

I filled my paper work by my self. If your case is straight forward, you can do it by yourself, and if you need help you can always contact Visa journey forums...

I think that $2200 is a highway robbery.And if you want him/her to be in the interview, you will pay more money. Gime a break, the process is expansive as it is. At this stage, unless your case is complicated, the lawyer won't do something you can not do yourself.

Good luck

Edited April 23, 2009 by MoroccanInTexas

[alimar 0]

You can do it by yourself but it is your own decision, if your case had problems before better to hire the lawyer. Good luck!!!

[Nashy 0]

I filled my paper work by my self. If your case is straight forward, you can do it by yourself, and if you need help you can always contact Visa journey forums...

I think that $2200 is a highway robbery.And if you want him/her to be in the interview, you will pay more money. Gime a break, the process is expansive as it is. At this stage, unless your case is complicated, the lawyer won't do something you can not do yourself.

Good luck

My case is straight forward. I think I can file it myself within a day. My spouse says she is more comortable with a Lawyer. I think it is highway roberry myself....

Thanks for your help...what do others think on this forum ??

[payxibka 10,045]

consider the majority mentality here on this site is DIY... I think you will soon understand where people are coming from

[fozzie 41]

The lawyers prey on your uncertainty. VJ will help you. I was uncertain and hired a lwyer at the K1 stage but have since done everything myself...why? VJ!

[~krakatoa~ 27]

Even if you hire a lawyer, you still need to gather and hand over your evidence to him and/or the paralegal. You will do most of the work, not him. If yours is a straightforward case, you're better off without their help. We sure regret paying $2,500 for an immigration lawyer and his team, we only paid for his and his paralegal's incompetence.

If you think you can file the I-751 by yourself, then you got your answer. And VJ's search feature is a powerful tool!

Edited April 23, 2009 by ~krakatoa~

[Eli 0]

My husband and I have done the whole process ourselves and did we have the minor complication of needing to find a sponsor, but it has all been a relatively straightforward process and many people here on VJ file themselves. The Guides will help you organize your petition and we are here to help with any questions that come up along the way. I would personally never use a lawyer for this process because of the cost and the delays it can cause if your lawyer isn't timely about getting you back notices/RFE's, but since you've used the lawyer up to this point you know how responsible he/she is. With the I-751 you essentially collect all the of the evidence yourself (the hard part), hand it over to the lawyer who charges you a hefty fee to mail it in and receive the response. However if the lawyer had performed well in the past, you have the money to burn, and it's worth the piece of mind, there is no reason to not hire the lawyer.

Elizabeth

[poochie 0]

Even if you hire a lawyer, you still need to gather and hand over your evidence to him and/or the paralegal. You will do most of the work, not him. If yours is a straightforward case, you're better off without their help. We sure regret paying $2,500 for an immigration lawyer and his team, we only paid for his and his paralegal's incompetence.

If you think you can file the I-751 by yourself, then you got your answer. And VJ's search feature is a powerful tool!

I know I'd be overwhelmed with any immigration process without VJ! It's totally up to you to decide.

[motu 5]

Its easy - do it yourself with examples that are here and by reading the forums and asking questions. Hire a lawyer only if you run into complications. Your wife is either very scared of this process or is very rich - this is as simple as filing taxes - or as complicated as filing taxes - yes many people pay lots of money for that too. Good Luck

[Nashy 0]

Its easy - do it yourself with examples that are here and by reading the forums and asking questions. Hire a lawyer only if you run into complications. Your wife is either very scared of this process or is very rich - this is as simple as filing taxes - or as complicated as filing taxes - yes many people pay lots of money for that too. Good Luck

I think she is just very scared of the process It is driving me insane, I just can't convince her. And I feel its like burning cash away. The already saw the Form. Its 2 simple pages. I already have most of the documents together. I have have started to hate my lawyer. He is charging me $2,200 for something his inter will file in 20mins. ugghhh..

[-B&T- 1]

I believe you can do it yourself as long as you have substantial evidence of a bonafide marriage you'll be approved without spending money for attorneys fees.Good luck!

[mozplay 29]

Why not gather the info yourself and post what you have done here (making sure to look at the completed forms for examples if you have never filled out your forms before) and then depending on the feedback you get ... then make your decision. Take one day to read through the guides and about the first three pages of this particular forum..... I think you'll be fine.

I am in the process of doing this step myself ... plus I did the K1 myself ... with the support of everyone here. Our case was bona fide and straightforward and we needed a co-sponsor. However --- if you want to spend the moolah, then I'll tell ya what. I'll only charge you half and I'd be happy to fill out that form for ya and look over your evidence. Hell... I'll even write your cover letter!!! There's a sample of that here too, by the way.

All that being said... be prepared for a year's wait or more ESPECIALLY if you are filing through VSC. Your wife will stress that entire time. Will the $2K prevent her from giving herself ulcers worrying about it?

Mo

Edited April 24, 2009 by mozplay

[Nashy 0]

Why not gather the info yourself and post what you have done here (making sure to look at the completed forms for examples if you have never filled out your forms before) and then depending on the feedback you get ... then make your decision. Take one day to read through the guides and about the first three pages of this particular forum..... I think you'll be fine.

I am in the process of doing this step myself ... plus I did the K1 myself ... with the support of everyone here. Our case was bona fide and straightforward and we needed a co-sponsor. However --- if you want to spend the moolah, then I'll tell ya what. I'll only charge you half and I'd be happy to fill out that form for ya and look over your evidence. Hell... I'll even write your cover letter!!! There's a sample of that here too, by the way.

All that being said... be prepared for a year's wait or more ESPECIALLY if you are filing through VSC. Your wife will stress that entire time. Will the $2K prevent her from giving herself ulcers worrying about it?

Mo

Thanks Guys.... You guys gave me some great advise. I am not giving the lawyer even a penny now. I have to slog my butt off to make that money and he will make it in 15 mins by preying on our uncertainties.