Is it faster to use an attorney or file the pettition by yourself?

[Mr/Mrs 0]

Hi,

I wonna file petition for my wife soon am wondering should i use immigration attorney or do it myself..Anyway with an experience of attorney or the best attorney to you and how much its would cost?...I mean Attorney fee?

[Shauneg 762]

Hi,

I wonna file petition for my wife soon am wondering should i use immigration attorney or do it myself..Anyway with an experience of attorney or the best attorney to you and how much its would cost?...I mean Attorney fee?

This is a do it yourself site, no one here is going to reccommend an attorney. The guides are very easy to follow, helpful, and the forums are full of good information. An immigration attorney cannot speed up the process or help you in anyway, unless there is a crazy extenduating circumstanes due to prior overstays, or legal problems. Even in the case of those, there are many experienced people here.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302-ir1-cr1-general-guides-and-info/

Edited March 21, 2015 by Shauneg

[NikLR 13,220]

Up to you.

Do you have any red flags? Multiple divorces of foreign spouses? Has your wife applied for multiple visas to get into the USA and was denied? Big age difference? Different religions? From a high fraud country? Do you have the time and effort to spend keeping up with your case? Beneficiary have any convictions in any other country? You have an Adam Walsh Act conviction? Are you able to read forms, fill them in correctly, and understand them?

There is only one point in this entire process where an attorney can make the process faster but generally it's not worth the hassle and money just for a month. Unless you feel you cannot do the paperwork yourself or that you have multiple red flags and do not feel confident perhaps combating those issues, you may very well be able to this yourself. Most of us do, but there are many here who also have lawyers but want to keep up with the process themselves. Just remember a good lawyer costs money but not all expensive lawyers are good.

[charlesreco 6]

Do it yourself, it will be faster and more secure. I used an attorney to send removal of conditions on my 2 years green card last May, he charged me 1500 dollars and he did not send all the papers I gave him. In fact, he just sent 4 documents, the less important ones, instead of the full package which was around 20 documents including military forms from my wife. So, 9 months letter I got and RFE asking for those documents, which I sent, and I am still waitong for my green card almost one year later and no news from immigration.

[nov14filers 8]

Do use an attorney. Its every cent worth. it will make it easier on you.

[j&ana 363]

It is up to you. an attorney will be good if you have a complicate case. If you case is fairly simple and straight forward doing it yourself will be best.

An attorney can not make it go any faster no matter what they tell you. USCIS and the NVC work at their own pace. Also an attorney can only send in info and forms that you give to them.

[Mr/Mrs 0]

Thank you guys i guess i will do it myself...Our case has no issues no divorces no nothing its clean i just thoght it might be time consuming but rather than spend $5000 on a lawyer better put the money into goog use...Once more thank you people....

[Dualie 185]

Thank you guys i guess i will do it myself...Our case has no issues no divorces no nothing its clean i just thoght it might be time consuming but rather than spend $5000 on a lawyer better put the money into goog use...Once more thank you people....

I think you have made a wise decision. The guides here provide everything you need to know, and the people on this site can answer most questions you may have (or at least lead you in the right direction to find them). Good luck on your journey!

Edited March 21, 2015 by Dualie

[Dashinka 23,245]

I agree. We considered using an attorney at one point, but then we found this site and all the useful information, guides, etc. I am glad for that as it saved us a lot of extra cash.

Good Luck!

[ZackB 4]

Here are some suggestions from me..i started the process myself couple of months ago

1 ...Read, read and read again couple of the guides they are very helpful...if you have question ask in the form and open a new thread for yourself.

2...Fill out your timeline it helps in tracking yourself and it also helps you see how others are doing in the process

3..Send your documents with tracking number

4..I also used the cover letters in the guide which are options but more my piece of mind.

Edited March 22, 2015 by ZackB

[Jawaree 717]

Unless U have a complicated case you can do it as long as you read, comprehend

and can fill out forms correctly...no attys, don't make petitions go faster, some even

slows it down by mailing out stuff much later than they tell U. You can always contact

your Congress-person to help re: status enquiries, U can get multiple info here then

research it yourself, you sign up for email or text updates ;If no prior immigration probs,

no arrests or convictions, happy journey

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Some people on here have actually had their cases slowed down by an attorney, its much better to be responsible for your own paperwork if your case is straightforward. You made the right decision and can save the money for something else

[ariani 71]

I would recommend an attorney...especially if English is not your native language. I've been here for a second and I have seen people receive RFEs for such things as a marriage certificates. I have also seen people get burned by attorneys that didn't know how to fill a form.... it's your decision.

[raven52 233]

Keep your money.

The key is double, and triple check everything, 3 times. Keep 2 copies of all submitted paperwork.

Follow the guides, at the top of the home page.

If you are not sure about something, people are here to help you!

Good luck on your journey!

[Cathi 5,610]

I would recommend an attorney...especially if English is not your native language. I've been here for a second and I have seen people receive RFEs for such things as a marriage certificates. I have also seen people get burned by attorneys that didn't know how to fill a form.... it's your decision.

the OP is American and an attorney is useless and a waste of money for a straightforward case