Lawyers, confusion and arguments.

[Monalisa22 84]

To be honest I don't know why many people pay for attorneys. Unless the case is very complicated or deportation is involved just do the filing yourself. I see too many people who have attorneys are getting checklists, RFE, paperwork missing,etc when this should not be happening when you are paying good money.

[shell20 746]

OP, sorry for what you're going through, it sounds awfully stressful.

VJ-ers, out of interest (and for the sake of others reading this thread in future), are you basically saying that even if Pennsylvania (or some hypothetical state) has unique rules about needing to go to the courthouse to change your name (i.e. rather than it being 'automatic' on marriage), that is irrelevant for USCIS' purposes?

I don't know *anything* about name-changes in the US. I did mine in my home-country, where it's not automatic on marriage but needs to be registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages - my understanding (again, I could be wrong) was that if I didn't do that 'extra step', then marriage alone didn't have any effect on my name change. If Pennsylvania follows a similar system, is the consensus on the forum that that is irrelevant for federal purposes? (FWIW:

Assuming that's indeed the case, it sounds like these lawyers are pretty darn dodgy and again, very sorry OP that you're going through this. I agree with the suggestion of contacting the state bar re. the incorrect advice and lack of professionalism (not to mention them tying you into an AOS contract in the fine print of your K1 contract!). Good luck!

I read on, "wiki how/", or something similar, how to change your name. It said simply inform the Social Security office and driving licence centre etc Which I have done. If the government have agreed to my married name on the social security card then surely they would expect that name on my AOS form. I told my lawyer that and she said immigration was different, different in what way, it is still the government, but then again, she said I wasn't entitled to a social security number with my K1 visa and I know that is BS.

[shell20 746]

Most if not all US states use the marriage certificate as a legal name change for the spouse (some are limited to wife). When you become married you can chose to use either your maiden name or your married name. BUT you have to be consistent, you can't change some of the documents and not others....it is all or nothing. I have never heard of a newly-wed wife having to obtain a legal name change through court procedures in the US.

As a side note when you divorce they ask if you would like to revert to your maiden name or keep the married name (at least they did me) but never when you marry.

Without our lawyers help ,I have successfully opened a bank account, obtained a social security number, have health insurance and a learners drviing permit, all in my married name. I'm afraid they don't seem to know their back from their front and that is putting it politely.

[mike56427 6]

Please post the name of the firm and their location. Thanks

Thanks for you kind words, not ignoring you but I am feeling dizzy and sick now. They have stressed me out way too much!!

I am SO going to sack them and report them to the bar.

[JeanF 32]

" (USCIS office specifically) takes a different approach then the state of Pennsylvania."

The very fact that they used "then" instead of "than" tells me they're idiots! (English teacher hat off) You can absolutely sign in your married name. The certified copy of your marriage license shows the transition from maiden to married name. They need to be fired. AND you should try to get a refund. Your husband's email was definitely the more professional of the two.

My sentiments exactly!

I had to read that sentence a few times XD. "Then" relates to time, "than" introduces a comparison.

[shell20 746]

Please post the name of the firm and their location. Thanks

I can't do that, for obvious reasons but I would love too!

[shell20 746]

To be honest I don't know why many people pay for attorneys. Unless the case is very complicated or deportation is involved just do the filing yourself. I see too many people who have attorneys are getting checklists, RFE, paperwork missing,etc when this should not be happening when you are paying good money.

We did not intend to hire one, but we had originally planned on marrying in Miami and then for myself to return to England and fill in the paperwork, but we read conflicting information online. So we asked for some free advice and we were told do NOT under any circumstance get married otherwise you will be committing visa fraud. So my husband decided to hire them, so nothing would go wrong and unfortunately it all went pear shape and continues to do so.

[ppihtr123 68]

Fire them...Money is gone...Consider it sunk cost and move at your speed instead of theirs!

By the way...I was threatened by a lawyer about slander after I posted a review of them...Make sure you use words like "in my opinion..." or "I feel...". It saved my butt. Also read your contract with them closely!

[dwheels76 5,463]

OMG. Seriously this is suppose to be professionals that suppose to know more than us about all this and they speak like that. Oh Helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Naw.

I am reading this and I need a drink and a gallon of ice cream. (Dang maybe some crack and heroin). I have never in life seen something like this. I would love to meet old girl (the lawyer) in the parking lot. Tell her Dwheels76 wants to say hey. hehe

Sorry Shell20 this is so not funny or fun and I know calling your hubby names makes me want to box her eyes out. They stupid you know more than the lawyer count it all joy. We are here with Bug hugs (and alcohol and ice cream).

[sweetswinks 400]

IDIOTS! I am so sorry this has happened! Sack them, report them immediately!

[mike56427 6]

... obvious reasons? ... what might those be? .... as long as you have stated the facts truthfully, then there are no reasons why you could not make this information public and maybe save somebody else from signing up with this firm. Simple as that ...

I can't do that, for obvious reasons but I would love too!

[Nathane 3]

I did my AOS in my married name and there is no problem. Your lawyers doesn't know what they are saying. I did my papers on my own. my thoughts to you is to take your time a do your papers because these lawyers are all about the money.

Good Luck

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi everyone,

This is going from bad to worse. When I first got married I applied for a Social Security number in my married name . We are now trying to do AOS with our lawyers but they are telling us we cant sign the forms in my married name as USCIS wont accept it. My bank account, SS, medical card and everything is in that name. My husband today wrote them a stern email and they came back to me saying his immature, how they are surprised he holds down a job and that they will drop our case if he doesn't apologise. I don't want him to apologise, I want them to drop us and do the forms ourselves, but my husband is asking will that affect our application. Time is running out we only have days to apply, so please, please any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Sack the lawyer.

Report her unprofessional and incompetent conduct to the local and state bar associations.

Any competent attorney will tell you that you can sign with your married name.

Idiot.

[hellostranger57 18]

I would fire them immediately. You seem like you would do a much better job that these idiots who supposedly went to school and honed their skills in immigration law.

[hellostranger57 18]

I would fire them immediately. You seem like you would do a much better job that these idiots who supposedly went to school and honed their skills in immigration law.