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sparkles_

Lawyer or no laywer

By sparkles_ in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

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sparkles_ Proficient

sparkles_   462

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Who used a lawyer and why? I'm debating on if we actually need one for out K1, I'm not sure if a lawyer can actually help any red flag issues versus just put together a really pretty package.

The only reason I'm saying this is twofold. I did an in-country AOS for my ex years ago who is a citizen now, and the fact I met my fiance while still legally married. The lawyer I spoke to said neither is a huge deal and then quoted me almost 1900$ to do the K1 case!

What do you guys think, do those two things together mean I should probably just get over myself and pay the lawyer, or go it on our own? I'm pretty confident I can handle the paperwork on my own. Just worried about the above mentioned.

Edited by beccabecca

**Adjusting from initial Q1/changed to B1 then overstay, termination of removal proceedings**

(STAND ALONE i-130/TERMINATION OF REMOVAL)

First met: Totally random by asking for directions, June 2014 while on vacation at Disney World (L)

Engaged: Aug. 21, 2014

Married: Dec. 1, 2014

ICE phone contact: sometime in early Dec. 2014- Co-operated, retained attorney who advised the same.

Filed stand alone i-130: January 2015 (VSC)

ICE home visit, schedule time to go to DHS office and NTA issued, date TBD, was not detained and released on own recognizance within an hour: January, 2015.

NOA1: Feb. 20, 2015.

Transfer to CSC to balance workloads: August 2015

1)First Master Calendar Hearing: Sept. 9, 2015-Continued based on pending i-130, new court date in 6mo.

Congressional Inquiry: Dec 8. 2015

***i-130 APPROVED WITHOUT INTERVIEW: Dec. 21, 2015** :dancing:

2)Second Master Hearing: March 9, 2016- Removal proceedings terminated w/o prejudice based on approved i-130!! Remanded to USCIS to begin AOS process :dance:

(AOS AFTER TERMINATION)

Filed AOS packet: March 16, 2016.

NOA1: March 21, 2016.

Biometrics: April 20, 2016.

RFE Initial evidence: April 21, 2016 for birth cert/translation and Q1/B1 i94s

RFE response received: May 10, 2016.

EAD approval: May 25, 2016- Card arrived at attorney's office! Could not pick up until May 30 because we were at Disney World again :):D

Notice of missing medical exam: July 2016 (Done on purpose to avoid expiration, we will bring it to the interview as stated in notice)

Inquiry about case status: Sept 2016- Case pending interview at local office.

Inquiry about case status again: Oct. 2016- Due to factors not related to your case, anticipate a delay in processing

HAPPY 2YR ANNIVERSARY TO US!!

Infopass #1 at local office: Dec. 19, 2016- Case pending background/security checks, advised when to renew EAD #2

Waiting on interview at local office...... :clock:

Sent EAD renewal: Feb 10, 2016

EAD#2 NOA1: March 3, 2016

INTERVIEW SCHEDULED!!: interview on March 27, 2017

Text notification, new card being produced: March 29, 2017!!!

*~*~*~*818 DAYS TOTAL*~*~*~

"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor."

 
Warren and Vivian Explorer

Warren and Vivian   10

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

The lawyer isn't going to do any more than you would do yourself. You'll fill in all the paperwork, collect all the evidence, and send it to the lawyer. If you think you can do it, save your money for the AOS fees.

Aug 2, 2011 - Met online via a mutual friend.
Dec 2, 2011 - Vivian traveled to USA to attend a medical conference and had our first date. On Dec 10, 2011 - Vivian returned home.
May 15,2012 - Vivian traveled to USA to spend a month with me. smile.png
Sep 15,2012 - Met Vivian in Frankfurt Germany and on to Prague Czech Republic to celebrate our birthdays.
Sep 24, 2012 - Left Viena Austria. The last time I was with Vivian.
Nov 11, 2012 - Mailed in I-129F
Nov 19, 2012 - NOA1 recieved

June 13, 2013 - NOA2 approved.

June 17, 2013 - NOA2 hard copy received.

June 25, 2013 - Consulate received
July 7, 2013 - Packet 3 received

July 13, 2013 - Packet 3 sent

July 28, 2013 - Packet 4 received

Aug 22, 2013 - Interview scheduled and APPROVED!!! kicking.gif

Sept 17, 2013 - Visa in hand

Sept 18, 2013 - Traveled to USA - Arrived at Dulles Airport in Virginia.

Sept 20, 2013 - Wedding!!!

event.png

godlove Explorer

godlove   29

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

I think you should use that money for something else. Lawyers does exactly what you can do, you send the docs to them and they send it to uscis. Your case is not that complicated so you should do just fine with no lawyer. Just make sure you provide every necessary docs and triple check everything to avoid any errors.

sparkles_ Proficient

sparkles_   462

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

I have no doubts I can do it, the forms themselves aren't super complicated from what I see. We have only met once in person so far, but I'm hearing that is also common and nothing to sweat about either; def. not lawyer-worthy.

1900 saved would def. be easier on my bank account, fund the AOS, another trip for the interview, which ever. I'm thinking instead now to find a lawyer who does hourly rates and just keep them on stand by if needed.

**Adjusting from initial Q1/changed to B1 then overstay, termination of removal proceedings**

(STAND ALONE i-130/TERMINATION OF REMOVAL)

First met: Totally random by asking for directions, June 2014 while on vacation at Disney World (L)

Engaged: Aug. 21, 2014

Married: Dec. 1, 2014

ICE phone contact: sometime in early Dec. 2014- Co-operated, retained attorney who advised the same.

Filed stand alone i-130: January 2015 (VSC)

ICE home visit, schedule time to go to DHS office and NTA issued, date TBD, was not detained and released on own recognizance within an hour: January, 2015.

NOA1: Feb. 20, 2015.

Transfer to CSC to balance workloads: August 2015

1)First Master Calendar Hearing: Sept. 9, 2015-Continued based on pending i-130, new court date in 6mo.

Congressional Inquiry: Dec 8. 2015

***i-130 APPROVED WITHOUT INTERVIEW: Dec. 21, 2015** :dancing:

2)Second Master Hearing: March 9, 2016- Removal proceedings terminated w/o prejudice based on approved i-130!! Remanded to USCIS to begin AOS process :dance:

(AOS AFTER TERMINATION)

Filed AOS packet: March 16, 2016.

NOA1: March 21, 2016.

Biometrics: April 20, 2016.

RFE Initial evidence: April 21, 2016 for birth cert/translation and Q1/B1 i94s

RFE response received: May 10, 2016.

EAD approval: May 25, 2016- Card arrived at attorney's office! Could not pick up until May 30 because we were at Disney World again :):D

Notice of missing medical exam: July 2016 (Done on purpose to avoid expiration, we will bring it to the interview as stated in notice)

Inquiry about case status: Sept 2016- Case pending interview at local office.

Inquiry about case status again: Oct. 2016- Due to factors not related to your case, anticipate a delay in processing

HAPPY 2YR ANNIVERSARY TO US!!

Infopass #1 at local office: Dec. 19, 2016- Case pending background/security checks, advised when to renew EAD #2

Waiting on interview at local office...... :clock:

Sent EAD renewal: Feb 10, 2016

EAD#2 NOA1: March 3, 2016

INTERVIEW SCHEDULED!!: interview on March 27, 2017

Text notification, new card being produced: March 29, 2017!!!

*~*~*~*818 DAYS TOTAL*~*~*~

"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor."

 
jjpgyitr4evr Contributor

jjpgyitr4evr   6

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

Save your money my friend....the paperwork can be done by you...its fairly simple...the hardest part is proving your case gathering your evidence and compliling your packet....and let me tell you I have the same exact situation as u...where I di. AOS papers for my now ex husband back in 2001 when there was a i245 law stating any person who was married to US Citizen could pay a $1000 finis and naturalize while here in the US w/o having to return and re-enter like the 601A waiver now requires ...so he got residency and now is a US Citizen as well....we seperated in 2009 but remained married until 2013 bc he would not sign divorce papers....now I met my now fiancee in 2010 and been together since then and I have gone to see him 4 times now. ...and now since my divorce is finallllll as of 2/5/2013 I now am gonna send in the pettion for fiancee visa k1....and I as well have been told that the USCIS is not that concerned w the fact that u were legally married but seperated when u began a relationship w ur current fiancee...as long as u can prove and have the evidence to show u have a bonafide relationship and that u are now legally free to marry....divorced by court order and have documentation of such....the proof is in the pudding my friend....proof proof proof is what is gonna carry u thru....and dont sweat the fact that u petitioned someone else in the past....as long as u have not petitioned several ppl where it would be a red flag u are fine....save that $1900 do it urself and use that money

yo give ur selves a nice wedding or honeymoon....bc I tell u from experience. I contracted a lawyer to do mine before I realized how easy it really was and he took $3000 fr

om me did nothing and then went crazy and robbed a wellsfargo vank at gun point.. crazy huh??? Its a true story.

..now I am having to write the GA state bar association to try and get

my money back...bc my lawyer Is in jail....I dont trust lawyers anymore. Sorry for being long winded and boring u w mysob story....but I hope it enlightens u and helps u make a decision based on ur own circumstances and whats best for you both

DHG Contributor

DHG   1

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

I was about to use a lawyer but I'm sooooo glad I decided to do everything myself. Could not have done it without VJ but everything has been so easy due to everyone's assistance on here. Like others said save the money....you'll still do just as much work with a lawyer and it won't speed anything up.

- 5/513 - NOA1 received by email - 10/16/13 - NOA2 received in mail - US Embassy Manila Interviews Passed 11/13/13 - 3/4/14 Mailed AOS packet - 4/15/14 Biometrics complete

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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