Opinions on attorneys

[MEDSHE20 0]

I have been looking over this site, and I see alot of people apply for a fiance visa without the use of an attorney. I was going to use one, but now checking everyone out on here, I feel I don't need to hire one and I can do it myself. Just wanted to find out what everyone's opinion is on that. Thanks.

[YuAndDan 153]

If your case is straight forward, nothing complicated like requiring a waiver at the consulate, then yes you can do it your self.

A good lawyer may be useful to make sure all documents are in order, and all forms are correctly filled out. They cannot make the process any faster, and if they are not good they can make the process go slower.

If your fiance is or has been a member of the CPC or CCP then a lawyer would be useful for handling the waiver that will need to be filed to overcome that issue of inadmissibility.

Prime example of a poorly handled case:

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21849

I see you are going through Guangzhou, check out the site I just linked to, excellent place for Chinese/American immigration issues, Guangzhou, and relationship advise. Much better than China regional forum here on VJ

[Yodrak 7]

MEDSHE,

Hard to say - don't know what all the details of your situation are.

Keep in mind that there are 2 ways to use an attorney

- consult with one to review your situation, to find out if there are any possible issues and get tips on the process, and

- hire one to work with you on the process.

Doing the former will enable you to make a more informed decision about the latter.

Yodrak

I have been looking over this site, and I see alot of people apply for a fiance visa without the use of an attorney. I was going to use one, but now checking everyone out on here, I feel I don't need to hire one and I can do it myself. Just wanted to find out what everyone's opinion is on that. Thanks.

[isleta521 5]

I have been looking over this site, and I see alot of people apply for a fiance visa without the use of an attorney. I was going to use one, but now checking everyone out on here, I feel I don't need to hire one and I can do it myself. Just wanted to find out what everyone's opinion is on that. Thanks.

IF you or your SO have not had complications such as a domestic Violence offense, drug problems or Visa overstays, ect, you should be able to do completly by yourself INCLUDING AOS. I used a immigration lawyer for K1 visa and it was a wast of money AND time. I wished I would have known about this site before I hired a Imm. Lawyer. In the end you still have to fill out all of the forms yourself. You may find as was our case tht you will be in a line behind others that your lwyer is representing.

Educate yourself on this very valuable site and save your money for a visit to China.

Wish you good luck.

[SkipperD 0]

I have been looking over this site, and I see alot of people apply for a fiance visa without the use of an attorney. I was going to use one, but now checking everyone out on here, I feel I don't need to hire one and I can do it myself. Just wanted to find out what everyone's opinion is on that. Thanks.

I think you are correct in saying that you can do the K1 on your own without an attorney. Now that I have started the process with an attorney I feel the same way. I was not aware of his site and the resources available which is why I used an attorney. The attorney has cost me 2-3 weeks in extra time so far because I give him everything and he then does the paperwork and sends it back for review before he sends it to USCIS.

The only caution that I would say is take your time and be careful with filling out the application as most of the RFE are for simple mistakes made by not following the instructions. I made several mistakes with the information I gave the attorney. When I reviewed the completed forms and had my fiancee and her sister do the same we found the mistakes. We made the changes and then he attorney sent in the paperwork. I am glad that I used the attorney but will most likely do all of the other paperwork myself.

Good luck.

[Jasman0717 9]

If your petition isn't complex you should easily be able to use the guide here on VJ and save yourself a good lump of cash. Good luck

[bostonparis 0]

I am using an attorney, and I have to tell you, I'm glad I did for the first part of this. Not because it's complex, but because I really didn't know where to begin. Now that I'm in the middle of it, I am still glad I have an attorney just to make sure everything I'm doing is right.

That being said, I also think if you have a good sense of what to do, and are highly organized, and your case is pretty straightforward, as long as you follow instructions to the letter, there's really no reason to get an attorney. Because sometimes I wonder where notices will go (to me or to the attorney), and if the attorney is forwarding them as soon as they receive them... because frankly, they don't have as much invested in this as we do. It's OUR lives, not theirs. It's just their job.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[rosyanne 0]

This question has been asked again and again...

Once again... you CAN do it yourself.

But some people just need a peace of mind so...

[giraffemd 0]

I am glad we had one. Our case was simple, but as it sometimes happens things became complicated due to our missing greencard....our lawyer stayed on top of it for us...I'm sure one isn't necassary for most people, but it gave us some security knowing we wouldn't have to scramble to find one if things went sideways. I'd say at least have a consultation with one as Yodrak says, then you can make a decision if you need one based on what you find out there...good luck

['my_destiny' 0]

I have been looking over this site, and I see alot of people apply for a fiance visa without the use of an attorney. I was going to use one, but now checking everyone out on here, I feel I don't need to hire one and I can do it myself. Just wanted to find out what everyone's opinion is on that. Thanks.

Hi..in our case, we hired a lawyer before I saw this kind of immigration forum that really helped a lot to me.

For me, you might need a lawyer if you have some problems with your papers or if you have complicated situations. But for me, I will not hire a lawyer if there is no problem at all in your papers. Me and my fiance are both single, never been married, nor separated and dont have kids so our papers are easy to paper, but we dont know how so he hired a lawyer and paid him in full then thats the time I saw this kind of forum.

[Mr and Mrs Bird 0]

We didn't knew that we would have any complications. Since we have we are happy that we hired an attorney from the start.

I will say letters between him and us really delay things.

But we feel more secure having him because he knows what to do and we can lean back and are not worry about filling out papers incorrect.

And also he knows your special situation all the way and can help alot to the end of this immigration.

I would never dare to be without an attorney in this importent step you take in your life.

Just my opinion.

[BobandRay 0]

Prior to finding all the great information at this site I planned to hire an attorney. I sent an email to one of the ones that you can find on the website. In the amount of time it took them to reply I had already completed most of the application myself. I don't see the value of using an attorney if you just follow the guides, examples, etc. you can find here. Good luck to you.

[mercy 1]

We didn't have an attorney, and we weren't aware for this site until months after we applied. The K1 application is pretty straight forward, but I'm glad to have had VJ for the rest of the journey. Like everyone said, as long as your case isn't complicated in some way and you are willing to take the time, you can easily do it yourself. Here's a personal example, when I was having my interview both other couples there that day were missing things they needed and mentioned that their lawyers had not told them to bring these things, whereas I had everything I needed because I personally took the time to know what was going to be asked of me. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

Edited December 30, 2006 by mercy

[Anastassia 0]

I stayed in USA illegally for over 4 years.

We hired no attorney, K-1 was on hand in 4 months.

Go figure...

Attorney............ not that I want to offend anyone but I get an impression that American people need attorney's advise on every single move in their life... weird...

Ana

[pnd629 0]

We didn't use an attorney--we used the guides on this website.