Step children question

[onlybelieve 1]

Hi everyone, I file the i130 petitions for my husband and my two minor step children and we recently received our approvals ( Noa2). When I initially started this process, I used a lawyer, I thought my case would be complicated because there's kids involved,so I thought the best thing for me to do was to hire a lawyer to eliminate errors and mistakes, so we got through phase1,now her fee for the 2nd phase is about 4,500 usd, I knew this beforehand, but after reading all of the shortcuts and different post, I

realized I could possibly do this on my own and save that money, i spoke to an operator at the NVC he also agreed

that I could do this myself. My husband have FULL legal custody of his kids

My questions

• is there anything special that I need to submit regarding the kids to the NVC when sending over

the required info

•will I need to submit three separate packages and pay

three sets of fees

•when figuring out the income requirements do I count my

daughter , me, my husband, and my two step kids

I'm so lost!! Any advice is greatly welcomed!!

[pushbrk 13,612]

Hi everyone, I file the i130 petitions for my husband and my two minor step children and we recently received our approvals ( Noa2). When I initially started this process, I used a lawyer, I thought my case would be complicated because there's kids involved,so I thought the best thing for me to do was to hire a lawyer to eliminate errors and mistakes, so we got through phase1,now her fee for the 2nd phase is about 4,500 usd, I knew this beforehand, but after reading all of the shortcuts and different post, I

realized I could possibly do this on my own and save that money, i spoke to an operator at the NVC he also agreed

that I could do this myself. My husband have FULL legal custody of his kids

My questions

• is there anything special that I need to submit regarding the kids to the NVC when sending over

the required info

•will I need to submit three separate packages and pay

three sets of fees

•when figuring out the income requirements do I count my

daughter , me, my husband, and my two step kids

I'm so lost!! Any advice is greatly welcomed!!

Yes, for the children, follow the civil documents list for step children

You'll submit three separate packages three separate times.

1. Choice of agent for each

2. Affidavit of support for each

3. Civil documents for each

Yes count you, spouse, and each intending immigrant PLUS any other household members including any of your own children under 21 no matter where they live.

To do this yourself, you'll be doing a lot of study and preparation.

[Done--Really 331]

And you will pay three times EXCEPT for the I-864 where you only have to pay the $88 once when you submit everything together.

[Princessblack 21]

All the above posters are correct. I filed for my hubby and 2 kids also and thus far, just waiting on approval! NO lawyer, nothing! Personally I think lawyers are for more complicated cases.

• When they ask for choice of agent, you send for all 3 each with you or husband signing for the kids.
  
• When you pay 1-864 its 1 $88 fee for all 3.
  
• When you send in the affidavit paperwork, its 1 for EACH with the same supporting documents.
  
• When you pay for you visa its 3 payments each and for the paperwork, its only your husband that gets the police report attach to his packet. The kids and your husband's IV packet will need: demographs of passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate for each.
  

[onlybelieve 1]

Thank you all for the info and advice, I appreciate it!!

[Done--Really 331]

The process is really quite easy if you have good attention to detail and follow the directions exactly as stated for each document and in the guides here--even when they don't make sense !! Beware of anyone who says they "think" something or are clearly stating an opinion...in this business opinions don't count.

[onlybelieve 1]

That's so true , and I'm working long hours so that's why I'm leaning toward just letting the lawyer complete it, I don't want to worry about getting RFE

[Ryan H 3,894]

That's so true , and I'm working long hours so that's why I'm leaning toward just letting the lawyer complete it, I don't want to worry about getting RFE

It's obviously your decision whether or not you want to retain a lawyer. However, having a lawyer is no guarantee that you will not receive an RFE anyway, lawyers don't always do it right.

[onlybelieve 1]

Right , because I received one in the first phase,