Ok, I gots to ask this question. Do I submit the paperwork on my own or do I hire an attorney and give him/her/it my hard earned money. How many of you submitted the paperwork yourself compared to hiring an attorney. I know most of the claims that the attorneys make as far as speed and easiness is false. I still will do most of the foot work and gather the documents. They only type the documents and pretend to expidite the process.

By the way, I hate attorneys. The bible does not speak well of them for a specific reason.

I'm sure the attorneys in this forum won't take too much offense.

To your question: You can do it yourself. The only reason you need an attorney is if you really REALLY hate paperwork, or if you think your time is more valuable than what you're going to pay a lawyer. Otherwise, this process is not that complicated. The guides are very well written and comprehensive, and there's a TON of help to be found around here if you get confused or have any other questions. In fact, you'd never have to leave the Russian forum if you didn't want to, and you'd still get all the help you need.

Go read the guides (link at the top of the page) and ask any questions you have. You'll see that it's not that complicated at all.

Good luck!

There is a risk of a problem either way. If you use an attorney, ask him or her for references and contact them.
Understand this "is not" legal advice.

Ok, yo. I gots to give you my opinion. Do it on your own. There's plenty of great help available here from endless sources. Save the money as long as your case isn't complicated or risky. And....what does the bible have to with any of this? Sorry, just hads to ask.

Look in the Book of St. Luke, chapter 11 starting with about verse 42, and keep in mind that a pharisee is a lawyer.

Dude, this response came way too quick. You're scaring me. But seriously, thanks. I didnt know that. I don't really "buy" any of that stuff, but it is interesting.

Let me forwarn you, I will be asking for help alot. I know about the $455 fee I will have to pay for the K-1, is that just for the Caliefornie assessment or does that cover the whole process, including the visa issued. Also, do I have to pay $455 for her chillin also. I gots to figger out ifn I gots to sell xtra possums to pay the fees.

kd4uvc, do yourself a HUGE favor...read the guides first. They will answer these and many of your other questions. The guides will also give you a really good feel for what's going on. I'm seriously not trying to brush you off...read the guides, and then ask any questions that are created through your reading.

EDIT: Read the instructions on the government forms too. A lot of people don't think to read them. They're not complicated, and they're not very long. But there are some key questions they will answer.

If'n yer havin to sell em der possums, den ya better darn git to trackin em varmints, cuz yer gonna need lots of em. Yup, dat's rite.

I think the only people selling that stuff are people in Texas and some TV evangelists outside of Texas.

The paperwork is extremely straight-forward and easy to do. The instructions are written at 8th grade level.

I did the K-1 paperwork and submitted it successfully before I even heard of VJ. For someone who has this resource before they even start, the process becomes even easier.

Unless you have some bizarre special circumstances, I dunno why anyone would hire a lawyer for this process.

OkeeDokee, I have been searching this vast netpage and have not found several answers to the questions I have.

Do I need to fill out a separate 325 form for the daughter, she is 19 and will be 20 by the interview?

Do I have to pay an extra $455 for her or is it included with the mother?

I agree. Not to mention the expense of the lawyer, they can actually slow the process down. I have read on this Forum several stories on how the person has to contact the lawyer because the paperwork is just sitting on the lawyer's desk. We all wait long enough without adding another imponderable timeframe to the mix.

Personally I used a lawyer and was thankful for it, peace of mind, I have filled out lots of government forms and I read how picky they can be, all the i's crossed and the t's dotted. If you are looking for a lawyer by all means dont call the guy on TV or someone who advertises on their car, find an immigration specialist, there are a lot of good ones out there. There are a lot of good attorney's out there too I believe that a few bad ones have set the precedent and if you are going to use the bible as a guide always remember it is not our place to judge anyone, judge not lest ye be judged. Love you neighbor as yourself.

There could be some type of age threshhold for whether certain forms must be completed for children in addition to those necessary for your fiance; unforunately, I don't know. My wife's kids were 12 and under when we filed, and I don't think I had to do any extra forms for them.

A good thing for you to do now is to spend time in the K-1 Forum rather than here, until your questions become specific to dealing with Russia. And please read the Guides if you haven't already.

Good Luck! And feel free to post what you want where you want.

You will need to fill out a separate G-325A (NOT the G-325) for the daughter. You will not have to pay an extra $455 for the daughter, it is included.

Note: Be sure the daughter enters before she turns 21. After she turns 21, she's no longer eligible to be included on the mother's K-1 Visa. (the daughter will be issued a K-2 visa.)

And cripes...I meant to say "you will NOT need to fill out a separate G-325A for the daughter." Sorry for the typo.

Here is my official "cut & paste" advise on attorneys...

Unless you have some very special circumstances, hiring an attorney does nothing but drain funds better spent on yourselves and your future together. An attorney stands in the same line we do, with no time savings what so ever. The paperwork is far from complicated if you can simply read and follow instructions. Have a question? There are tons of folks here that are in your same shoes.

Too many here have tossed hard earned money on overpriced useless attornies. Do not feed the lawyers. It only keeps them strong causing them to breed out of control and further weakening us.

Sorely disappointed you didn't do International Women's Day hats, Jefferey.

We tried, but could not find any to "fit" properly. Also, we had a feeling a lot of people would not have understood and thought they were Easter bonnets.

You only have to pay another $455 if later you decide that the daughter is actually your fiancée and not the mother

I said a hip, hop, a hibby to the hip hip hoppa ya don't stop a rockin to the bang bang boogy said up jump the boogy to the rhythm of the boogity B.......

Do not hire a lawyer.

Save your money... you're going to need it when she gets here. Trust me!

Way too funny! Don't let your sense of humor get you in trouble in the courtroom, judges have no sense of humor unless they are making the jokes, usually at your client's expense. As to the fellow asking if he should hire an attorney, ixnay, rely on the advice, samples forms and posts here and you do fine. Most of the folks who use this forum do NOT rely on attorneys, probably because of their independent nature, and unwillingness to part with the dollars for something they can do themselves. This ain't rocket science, just post questions you have here, and someone who has gone through the same process as you can and will reply. Good luck!

Too funny. Now, I can't get that song out of my head.

As far as the song goes, thank God for oldtimers and the fact I forgot what the song was and do not want to be reminded. For an old redneck hilbilly, Winton Marsalis's Big Train would suit me fine right about now. That's Jazz with the Lincoln Arts Big Band. Real Good!!!!

Heya kd4uvc! I thought we might have scared you off. How goes the filing process?

I didn't realize the sugar hill gang moved to ohio and is now handing out immigration advice. Quick call VH1 I know where they are now.

Right now the paperwork process would be like explaining to a person from Canada the correct way to use the word y'all. It is a learned thing taking years of putting up with southerners to understand. I am going to need help. I can do this, but not on my own. Believe me, it is much easier for me to learn how to operate a nuclear power plant, did, or program industrial machinery in an automotive plant, doing!! My hair is down to my sholderblades because I grow hair for Locks of Love and I sometimes feel like I'm agonna pull my hair out.

You so just dated yourself, Thomas!



I try to tell them it's like anytime you would add an "eh?" onto a sentence, you can just say "eh? Ya'll!" and it'll work just fine.

Won't work Slim, "eh" is the even letters of the 52 letter alphabet. The odd ones are the same as our's. At least that's what I was told by someone when I was in Wisconsin back in the 80's. Good man, but was suprised that I knew what shoes were and that I could read and write. I did not tell him that I knew Prufrock could measure his life by the teaspoon nor that MacBeth's lover was also his Mom. You have to know English lit to know what I am talking about. BS in Technology with minor in English and Tech Writing. I just prefer to write as I talk. When I lived in Idaho in the early 80's, I called home and my mother told me I had lost my accent. It broke my heart because I was proud of where I came from and who I am. I promised myself that I would never lose it again, and I haven't.

I am a southerner, I am not a racist. My dream team for the president/vp is JC Watts/ Condi Rice. One of my best friend's wifes was an illegal alien in the 60's, was pardoned by Ford, and has served 30 years in the Army. She started out as E-1 and is up for Lt. Col. She has never listened to someone who told her she could not do something. She is one of my heros. Earned by blood, sweat, toil, and tears.

I am in a programming class this week. The instructor is a 24 year old girl which knows her stuff. We were talking about the southern women's saying, "Bless Your Heart". She is from Michigan and lives in Nashville. After a few years in the south, she said that she is finally starting to understand the meaning. I told her it is not the words which is important but how we say it and what is happening when we say it. She said that she has learned that.

Sorry, just ramblin!!

I tried that in high school but I was not a good date so we broke up because I wouldnt put out..... I was a tease.

Thomas, your moma didn't take the bouncing baby part a bit too literally? I'm afraid to ask if you slapped yourself on the date? Or did the mirror crack when you kissed? etc...

Nope my mother did not drop me on my head I became twisted and sick without brain damage. Truth is I just love to mess with people's heads just ask slim.


Remember its only funny until someone loses and eye....then its hilarious for everyone except the guy who lost his eye.

I took a long walk off a short pier..... and got wet.

Life is a funny thing, enjoy it while you can, you die on the inside when you can no longer laugh even at yourself.

Thank goodness we're all serious here in the Russia Forum.

Can I get an amen?

And from heaven, (or whereever), Brother Dave Gardner yells AMEN in his southern voice!! If you do not know who he was, look him up on the net. A very good southern Avant Garde comedian from the 50's and 60's.

Yes Thank heaven for 7-11 as well.




Umm Amen

Speaking of the amens.....

I heard a funny story today on the radio about a pastor in Harlem using his pulpit to slander Barack Obama. (Check it out on YouTube, it's on there somewhere. That's where the radio guys got it.)

It's amazing how any one side of any political argument can be turned right around to the other. Anyway, hearing a pastor talk about Obama's campaign being started on two big ol' white tits was downright hilarious. "They must've been 54 Ds. Double Ds even. Big ol' white tits."


Quick edit.... This message has not been approved by any candidate. Hell, it wasn't even approved by me. And by the way, I'm not a voter and I'm dammn sure not a supporter of any particular candidate. They're all equally deplorable to me. Can I get an amen?

AMEN, preach on brother Slim!

Amen, Slim, amen!