Lawyer Up Or No?

[Mike_&_Rossy 0]

Hi All! New guy here. I love all the info and stories.

Rossy and I are getting married in October in Rosarito just south of the border and Tijuana. I live in Los Angeles about 2 hours north and have been doing the commute weekly and more for over a year. I almost cried when I found out how long it takes to get permission to bring her home. In my Happy World it was going to take one or two months.

So, I am looking at a K-3 (and K-4 for 8 yr old twins,not mine) application and now I see that the CR1 thingy is neck and neck with it and there is some overlap regardless. What does a guy do with that?

Also, you seem like a DIY group. Do I really need to spend money on an immigration attorney? Or is it a matter of just being able to fill out complicated forms? Is an attorney going to do much for me? How are you guys doing it? If I read here till my eyeballs bleed can I find enough info to do it my self? Or is it that to be sure just pay one to keep after things and double check everything that gets turned in?

This newbie thing is strange for me. I am a car guy and usually I am the expert on the message board answering all the questions. Here I am just another FNG missing all the FAQs and not using the search button :-P Speaking of FAQs... is there a page somewhere with all the abbreviations and shorthand?

Mike

[maryandatif 0]

I used a lawyer. That being said....IF i had to do it over, I would do it myself. I had to get all of the documents together for him anyway. Also, the only thing he did was make sure everything was in order and do the cover letter/check list. ALTHOUGH....I WAS glad I had him when my Husband was originally given his 221g-> being sent back to USCIS... ALTHOUGH I was the one to contact my Senator and get things going on that.

Everyone has there own opinion....and you have to do what is best for you. What feels right for you.

Mary K.

[Rob and Melinda 0]

Melinda and I used Holmes and Lolly in San Diego Ca and so far have been very happy with them. All the paperwork was done right the first time and it went through NOA1 and NOA2 very quick, just 62 days.

Also I get fast replies to all of my questions when I call or e mail.

Rob and Melinda

[Boiler 43,631]

I did it all myself, like has been said the painful bits are down to you anyway.

Your money, your call.

A lawyer makes no difference to speed.

Unless they save you from a mistake or make one themselves.

You will see posts from people who have had good experiances with lawyers and from those who have screwed things up.

Not rocket science.

[Jersey Girl 2]

Mike, you can probably do it yourself if you don't mind filling forms and following instructions to the letter. Immigration timelines show 177 days for a K3 from Mexico. You also need to know what's involved in getting the twins here. You can also plug in here:

others from Mexico

[~Jackie~ 30]

IMHO DIY We had a nightmare of a time with our $2,000 lawyer.

Jackie

[Chris and Mariana 0]

I guess it really depends on your situation. I have been residing with my wife outside the U.S. for a year now (fun prettending to be retired at 30) and having an attorney has been helpful. Since we are living off savings any time we save by not making mistakes is worth it. On the other hand as you explore this website you will find it very helpful. If you are staying in the U.S. you could easily do this yourself with help from this site. I would just double and triple check your work. I wish I knew of this site befor I started but with my situation it was good to have an attorney with power of attorney (I.E. to sighn the RFEs etc.). Good Luck!!

[crifever 0]

Do it yourself dude. Save yourself a few bucks. Its not too bad.

[Mike_&_Rossy 0]

Thanks guys, thanks for the tips. This site has demistified things quite a bit for me.

I am leaning towards doing it my self but looking for a lawyer to check the packet that I assemble for mistakes and such. Paying someone hundreds of dollars an hour to fill out info on a form I can download my self seems a little silly. And then if I run into problems or need some quick advice I'll have someone to go to that is familiar with things. I have time to interview a few and find one with the right experience and attitude for working with me.

Mike

[henry34florida 0]

I hired a lawyer and ended up doing all of the work myself. If you have the time, I would definately do it yourself.

[Yodrak 7]

Mike,

There are 2 ways to use an attorney - retain one to work the case for or with you, and consult with one so that you can see if there are potential issues that would make you decide one way or the other about retaining.

A consultation is cheap and is always a worthwhile investment.

Yodrak

Hi All! New guy here. I love all the info and stories.

Rossy and I are getting married in October in Rosarito just south of the border and Tijuana. I live in Los Angeles about 2 hours north and have been doing the commute weekly and more for over a year. I almost cried when I found out how long it takes to get permission to bring her home. In my Happy World it was going to take one or two months.

So, I am looking at a K-3 (and K-4 for 8 yr old twins,not mine) application and now I see that the CR1 thingy is neck and neck with it and there is some overlap regardless. What does a guy do with that?

Also, you seem like a DIY group. Do I really need to spend money on an immigration attorney? Or is it a matter of just being able to fill out complicated forms? Is an attorney going to do much for me? How are you guys doing it? If I read here till my eyeballs bleed can I find enough info to do it my self? Or is it that to be sure just pay one to keep after things and double check everything that gets turned in?

This newbie thing is strange for me. I am a car guy and usually I am the expert on the message board answering all the questions. Here I am just another FNG missing all the FAQs and not using the search button :-P Speaking of FAQs... is there a page somewhere with all the abbreviations and shorthand?

Mike

[khattak 1]

Do it Yourself.

Visit VJ and meet member. I bet it is better than lawyers.

[The_dip_sticks 0]

We retained a lawyer and at this point if we had to do it all over again we would opt to go solo and do it alone. This web site is a great source for finding help in going through the process. Wish we would have found it sooner. It could have saved us lots of time and money and the run around.

[sweety_33 0]

Melinda and I used Holmes and Lolly in San Diego Ca and so far have been very happy with them. All the paperwork was done right the first time and it went through NOA1 and NOA2 very quick, just 62 days.

Also I get fast replies to all of my questions when I call or e mail.

Rob and Melinda

Hello Rob and Melinda,

I'm glad to hear that your papers went quickly. My husband did not used lawyer but I'm very thankful to GOD our papers went so quickly. Our I-129F NOA1 and NOA2 took 75 days. I will have my interview this Thursday August 24, 2006. I wish you will received your packet soon.

Timeline:

08-15-05 - First met in person (Davao City)

08-21-05 - Got engaged

11-03-05 - Second visit waiting for our wedding

11-10-05 - Wedding Day

11-11-05 - Honeymoon (Pearl Farm Resort 2 nights)

12-08-05 - CFO Seminar (Got Certificate)

01-26-06 - I-129F Sent

02-02-06 - I-129F NOA1 Received

03-12-06 - Third visit of my hubby

04-11-06 - I-129F NOA2 Received

04-25-06 - Consulate Received

05-23-06 - Packet 4 Sent

06-16-06 - Packet Received delivered at home by DELBROS

06-20-06 - Fourth visit of my hubby and I've done my med. exam. too (PASSED)

08-24-06 - INTERVIEW

09-10-06 - Fifth visit of my hubby and we will be waiting the VISA. We will be going to US together.

I-130

11-19-05 - I-130 Sent

01-07-06 - I-130 NOA1

04-18-06 - I-130 Approval

God Bless!

Sweety_33

[aussiewench 9]

So, I am looking at a K-3 (and K-4 for 8 yr old twins,not mine) application and now I see that the CR1 thingy is neck and neck with it and there is some overlap regardless. What does a guy do with that?

Mike

You may also want to consider that there is approx a 1 year wait for CR-1 interviews in Mexico, so having the I-130 approved and processed through NVC for the CR-1 may not be what you both want.