Is hiring a legal agent worth it?

[pushbrk 12,245]

I was browsing around at my options and found: http://www.visaplace.com/

I sent an inquiry via e-mail asking about their help and what their fees would be like for a CR1 process. They replied saying yes they could handle it, and that I should contact them for an evaluation to determine fees. Is the first meeting free?

If anybody has had experience with these firms, what were they like? Would you say your level of success was better? How about managing the stress? And as for fees, what have you paid?

Ask THEM if the first consultation is free but it generally is. Whether hiring professional help is "worth it" or not depends on what YOU value. If you have available and wish to use hundreds of hours of your time researching the process and assuring you do everything right on your own and if you are able to read carefully, interpret literally and answer questions accurately, you certainly CAN manage the process on your own. Whether you want to or not or how you value your own time, is up to you. YOU are not any of the anybody else's that tell YOU what YOU need or should value.

The actual work is not highly time consuming. Learning the process and making sure you do it right is another matter.

[keysjangle 145]

Ask THEM if the first consultation is free but it generally is. Whether hiring professional help is "worth it" or not depends on what YOU value. If you have available and wish to use hundreds of hours of your time researching the process and assuring you do everything right on your own and if you are able to read carefully, interpret literally and answer questions accurately, you certainly CAN manage the process on your own. Whether you want to or not or how you value your own time, is up to you. YOU are not any of the anybody else's that tell YOU what YOU need or should value.

The actual work is not highly time consuming. Learning the process and making sure you do it right is another matter.

Considering I'm a double major in what is essentially interpreting words, I know I have the skills but since I'm new to the process I'm walking on wobbly legs is all. I spent a few hours last night going over forms, reading everything twice, looking for specific answers - I did read instructions to use "none" instead of "n/a", for example, so I changed all my mock answers over - and I highlighted any areas of doubt and made notes, etc. I'm not about to start the process blind. And this forum is incredibly valuable; I'm already eternally grateful

Edited November 26, 2010 by Gervl

[ann and aties 9]

If N/A is not an acceptable answer, what about Question 11 on the I-134 Affidavit of Support - what should be written there?

One poster said that we should write "N/A - K1 visa process for permanent residence." This is one of the examples given in Visa Journey guides. If I don't put "N/A" then do I check the box I intend or the box I do not intend. - I think it partly boils down to an interpretation of the phrase "specific contributions". Hope this doesn't feel like I am hijacking the thread, if so, apologies to the OP.

[LotofPatience 65]

If N/A is not an acceptable answer, what about Question 11 on the I-134 Affidavit of Support - what should be written there?

One poster said that we should write "N/A - K1 visa process for permanent residence." This is one of the examples given in Visa Journey guides. If I don't put "N/A" then do I check the box I intend or the box I do not intend. - I think it partly boils down to an interpretation of the phrase "specific contributions". Hope this doesn't feel like I am hijacking the thread, if so, apologies to the OP.

ann and aties,

I think you should post in another thread since your is for K1 fiance(e) visa. There are other forums specifically for K1 visa. OP is for CR1 visa.

But, I'll answer to your question here. You need to check "Intend" and write a short explanation how do you intend to support the fiance(e). If you decline this Q#11, basically you are proving that you are NOT going to support your fiance(e).

OP, I-134 is not applicable to you, Sorry!

Loto

[moroccogirlny 100]

Yeah, I talked to my boyfriend about it and he didn't seem convinced we'd need the help (or the added costs). I figured if I really got stuck they'd be a good asset but otherwise I can handle it.

Printing out all the relevant forms now to start looking over them and seeing what information I'd need in the future. It pays to be #######

Just a note....you're filing the CR1 if your married? Noticed "boyfriend" Like others have told you if you follow the guides here you can file on your own with out the need of hiring a agent or lawyer.

[keysjangle 145]

Just a note....you're filing the CR1 if your married? Noticed "boyfriend" Like others have told you if you follow the guides here you can file on your own with out the need of hiring a agent or lawyer.

Oh, no we're not married yet haha. Just looking into what my future will be like when it happens.

[Christopher R. 6]

Yeah, I used a site called visapro.com. Turns out it's just an online lawyer farm. They did not help me with gathering and ensuring data was accurate. I missed one thing on their online form, and they never finished processing my application for 3 months! I called them to complain, and they told me it was my fault, that until the form was complete, they would not process the application. I know a real lawyer would charge even more than an online service, and would have at least helped me apply sooner. I travel almost 100% of the time for my job, and it was simply worth it initially to get someone else to assist with the data collection. Now that I learned my lesson and I took some time to read up on all this, I would and will tell anyone that this process is quite easy and just takes a little time on both of your parts to get all the right documentation from both of you. As as you are in a real relationship, then you have nothing more to prove, and patience is all you need after love!

Chris

[edsperfect 25]

I was browsing around at my options and found: http://www.visaplace.com/

I sent an inquiry via e-mail asking about their help and what their fees would be like for a CR1 process. They replied saying yes they could handle it, and that I should contact them for an evaluation to determine fees. Is the first meeting free?

If anybody has had experience with these firms, what were they like? Would you say your level of success was better? How about managing the stress? And as for fees, what have you paid?

In general, it is not impossible to do this yourself. It can be difficult though if you have no one to advise or more particularly to look over the applications, forms and evidence before you submit it all to govt. You don't want a rejection coming because you did something wrong. Then talk about an expense!!! The appeal costs could be a fortune

[pushbrk 12,245]

If N/A is not an acceptable answer, what about Question 11 on the I-134 Affidavit of Support - what should be written there?

One poster said that we should write "N/A - K1 visa process for permanent residence." This is one of the examples given in Visa Journey guides. If I don't put "N/A" then do I check the box I intend or the box I do not intend. - I think it partly boils down to an interpretation of the phrase "specific contributions". Hope this doesn't feel like I am hijacking the thread, if so, apologies to the OP.

N/A is an acceptable answer when it is appropriate. It in not appropriate when the correct answer is none. For example if there was no former spouse, the answer is none, making the former spouse's birth place N/A.