Attorney Trouble

[Ben and Hazel 0]

Hello Vj people,

I'm new at this but here goes, We hired an attorney who put a para legal on our case,

I was asked to fill out the I-129f and both, my fiance myself had to fill out the G-325A

She then had us send in a fee for the I-129f and the G-325A combined, total $655, after fourteen days our petition was then returned to us requesting a check for $455, after a wait of 161 days, we received an RFE, requesting that we send in the stamped visa, which apparently had not been submitted.

it is next to impossible to get ahold of the paralegal and we have been waiting since Jan. 10, 2008, should we get a new attorney? and if so at what stage in the process can this be safely done at?

I am afraid to bother my own attorney with any questions, so I am very grateful that their is a forum of like minded people who are willing to take the time to help each other.

Ben

[sara..... 371]

Hello Vj people,

I'm new at this but here goes, We hired an attorney who put a para legal on our case,

I was asked to fill out the I-129f and both, my fiance myself had to fill out the G-325A

She then had us send in a fee for the I-129f and the G-325A combined, total $655, after fourteen days our petition was then returned to us requesting a check for $455, after a wait of 161 days, we received an RFE, requesting that we send in the stamped visa, which apparently had not been submitted.

it is next to impossible to get ahold of the paralegal and we have been waiting since Jan. 10, 2008, should we get a new attorney? and if so at what stage in the process can this be safely done at?

I am afraid to bother my own attorney with any questions, so I am very grateful that their is a forum of like minded people who are willing to take the time to help each other.

Ben

hmmm my problem is not enough coffee yet maybe thats why im confused u sent $655 the fee for filing is $455 so that means they charged u two hundred dollars for sending it........but in in truth they charged u the $655 for their fee because they did not give a check for $455 out of the fees that u sent them?

also what visa do they want u to send in..............

[belinda63 2,981]

well, from personal experience and from what I have read here, unless ur case has problems, issues, or something very strange you don't need an attorney at all. I did it myself and although ap took forever (which an attorney could not help with) we got through with flying colors, no RFE, no problems at the interview, no returned papers.

Already your attorney has costs you a lot of time in a process that is all about taking a lot of time. And you state you do not want to bother them, what do you think you paid them for? If they can't file things properly what good are they doing you.

My advice, unless there are unusual circumstances, boot the attorney and go it alone. There is enough information here to get you through the process on your own.

[nunyab 0]

Hello Vj people,

I'm new at this but here goes, We hired an attorney who put a para legal on our case,

I was asked to fill out the I-129f and both, my fiance myself had to fill out the G-325A

She then had us send in a fee for the I-129f and the G-325A combined, total $655, after fourteen days our petition was then returned to us requesting a check for $455, after a wait of 161 days, we received an RFE, requesting that we send in the stamped visa, which apparently had not been submitted.

it is next to impossible to get ahold of the paralegal and we have been waiting since Jan. 10, 2008, should we get a new attorney? and if so at what stage in the process can this be safely done at?

I am afraid to bother my own attorney with any questions, so I am very grateful that their is a forum of like minded people who are willing to take the time to help each other.

I know it seems weird doesn't it?? We're also doing it alone. I've heard too many horror stories like these to hire an attorney and we have such great advice here on VJ that I think lawyers should be reading up on. Good luck it's just my opinion...

Ben

hmmm my problem is not enough coffee yet maybe thats why im confused u sent $655 the fee for filing is $455 so that means they charged u two hundred dollars for sending it........but in in truth they charged u the $655 for their fee because they did not give a check for $455 out of the fees that u sent them?

also what visa do they want u to send in..............

[KimandRuss 0]

As stated above, you really don't need an attorney if your case is pretty straight forward. Your's certainly isn't doing you any favors. I would actually cancel his services and ask for at least a partial refund after all you have gone through just to get to this point.

By stamped visa do you mean proof of having met in the last two years? Stamped passport? If your attorney's office forgot even that not only would I cease service but I would file a complaint with the BAR.

After you receive your NOA2 your petition will be sent to the NVC in NH and then off to the Consulate. We have loads of members here from the Phillippines who i'm quite sure would be happy to help explain the process there to you.

Sorry about your lawyer. That's very sad to me. But you've found a wonderful resource here at VJ. Read through all the guides and faq's (tabs at the top) and ask any questions you might have. There is also a regional forum dedicated to Phillipines!

good luck!

[Ben and Hazel 0]

Hello Vj people,

I'm new at this but here goes, We hired an attorney who put a para legal on our case,

I was asked to fill out the I-129f and both, my fiance myself had to fill out the G-325A

She then had us send in a fee for the I-129f and the G-325A combined, total $655, after fourteen days our petition was then returned to us requesting a check for $455, after a wait of 161 days, we received an RFE, requesting that we send in the stamped visa, which apparently had not been submitted.

it is next to impossible to get ahold of the paralegal and we have been waiting since Jan. 10, 2008, should we get a new attorney? and if so at what stage in the process can this be safely done at?

I am afraid to bother my own attorney with any questions, so I am very grateful that their is a forum of like minded people who are willing to take the time to help each other.

Ben

hmmm my problem is not enough coffee yet maybe thats why im confused u sent $655 the fee for filing is $455 so that means they charged u two hundred dollars for sending it........but in in truth they charged u the $655 for their fee because they did not give a check for $455 out of the fees that u sent them?

also what visa do they want u to send in..............

Oh sorry, I am assuming that the extra $200 is for the biometrics G-325A, but I am unaware of anyone else having to do this, I was wondering if this was something they used to do in the past? This is for the K-1 fianc'e visa

[Ben and Hazel 0]

As stated above, you really don't need an attorney if your case is pretty straight forward. Your's certainly isn't doing you any favors. I would actually cancel his services and ask for at least a partial refund after all you have gone through just to get to this point.

By stamped visa do you mean proof of having met in the last two years? Stamped passport? If your attorney's office forgot even that not only would I cease service but I would file a complaint with the BAR.

After you receive your NOA2 your petition will be sent to the NVC in NH and then off to the Consulate. We have loads of members here from the Phillippines who i'm quite sure would be happy to help explain the process there to you.

Sorry about your lawyer. That's very sad to me. But you've found a wonderful resource here at VJ. Read through all the guides and faq's (tabs at the top) and ask any questions you might have. There is also a regional forum dedicated to Phillipines!

good luck!

Yes, it is for proof of having met in the last two years, I feel like we are kind of stuck with them because they have all my documents and what ever else has to be sent on, I don't think I can safely cancel their services without damaging our case until after she has arrived.

Thanks

Ben

[belinda63 2,981]

It's real simple, ask the attorney for copies of everything they have filed. If they refuse to provide it to you file a complaint with the bar. It is your case you are entitled to a copy of everything and since you signed it stating it is true you really should have a copy.

As to the remainder of the case, you will have to fill out the Packet 3 when the consulate receives your case and mails it to you. None of the paperwork is difficult, just takes time.

As to hurting your case, REALLY what more damage could they do?

[Ben and Hazel 0]

It's real simple, ask the attorney for copies of everything they have filed. If they refuse to provide it to you file a complaint with the bar. It is your case you are entitled to a copy of everything and since you signed it stating it is true you really should have a copy.

As to the remainder of the case, you will have to fill out the Packet 3 when the consulate receives your case and mails it to you. None of the paperwork is difficult, just takes time.

As to hurting your case, REALLY what more damage could they do?

Wow, thanks for you help, that sounds like really wise advice, I will really have to think about it and get up the courage to do something about it, Thanks again.

Ben

[pinktulips2012 1]

well, from personal experience and from what I have read here, unless ur case has problems, issues, or something very strange you don't need an attorney at all. I did it myself and although ap took forever (which an attorney could not help with) we got through with flying colors, no RFE, no problems at the interview, no returned papers.

Already your attorney has costs you a lot of time in a process that is all about taking a lot of time. And you state you do not want to bother them, what do you think you paid them for? If they can't file things properly what good are they doing you.

My advice, unless there are unusual circumstances, boot the attorney and go it alone. There is enough information here to get you through the process on your own.

most of the vj members did it by themselves... pls. check and read the guides above... im sure it will help you a lot...

Edited August 3, 2008 by stevent

[Nicoxcx 1]

Let us know how it goes Ben.

Attorneys no doubt make big money from Immigration, and will tell you they have a 100% approval rate, only because being denied at the USCIS part of the journey is incredibly rare.

I hope you get it sorted, It is an expensive process and an attorney taking money for things you are capable of doing yourselves wont help.

Good luck!

[Old Dominion 26]

Let us know how it goes Ben.

Attorneys no doubt make big money from Immigration, and will tell you they have a 100% approval rate, only because being denied at the USCIS part of the journey is incredibly rare.

I hope you get it sorted, It is an expensive process and an attorney taking money for things you are capable of doing yourselves wont help.

Good luck!

If you decide to stick with this attorney, you can expect to pay $6,000 or more in attorneys' fees (plus government fees) before she gets a green card....get your papers back from the paralegal and proceed on your own. That's pretty much everyone's reaction here.

[Ben and Hazel 0]

Let us know how it goes Ben.

Attorneys no doubt make big money from Immigration, and will tell you they have a 100% approval rate, only because being denied at the USCIS part of the journey is incredibly rare.

I hope you get it sorted, It is an expensive process and an attorney taking money for things you are capable of doing yourselves wont help.

Good luck!

Wow, thanks for your opinion, your comments have really lifted my spirits and when I forward them to my fianc'e I know they will help her too

Thanks,

Ben

[Mitchamy 0]

Hello Vj people,

I'm new at this but here goes, We hired an attorney who put a para legal on our case,

I was asked to fill out the I-129f and both, my fiance myself had to fill out the G-325A

She then had us send in a fee for the I-129f and the G-325A combined, total $655, after fourteen days our petition was then returned to us requesting a check for $455, after a wait of 161 days, we received an RFE, requesting that we send in the stamped visa, which apparently had not been submitted.

it is next to impossible to get ahold of the paralegal and we have been waiting since Jan. 10, 2008, should we get a new attorney? and if so at what stage in the process can this be safely done at?

I am afraid to bother my own attorney with any questions, so I am very grateful that their is a forum of like minded people who are willing to take the time to help each other.

Ben

Hi Ben!

Just out of curiousity, what is the the name of the law firm that you hired...we did hired attorney also and we want to know if we will encounter this kind of problems.

Thank you...

[Brad and Vika 129]

Keep your head up Ben! We are doing this without an attorney, and so can you. Good Luck!!