Any problems with attorneys?

[kari lina 0]

Okay, another question regarding firing my attorney: The NOA1 went to his address as opposed to mine. The NOA2 is currently in the mail, and I assume it is also being sent to his office since the first notice did. Does that mean that my fiance's packet 3 will also be sent from the embassy to my attorney? I've read a couple of posts where it seems like that happened. And I imagine that will add time. If I do fire my attorney now and if packet 3 will be sent to his office as opposed to my fiance's home in Germany, what will happen? Is it possible to get all that changed in time if I fire the attorney or am I better off just keeping him because it will complicate and lengthen our wait time?

I'm so frustrated. I wish I had never hired him in the first place.

[msu17 0]

Hey there, so sorry to hear of your situation! I'm SO glad I found this before considering a lawyer. Check out what Huskerkiev said in this forum http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=56073&hl=

"Also keep in mind you need to keep your G-28 form (Entry as Atty or Lawyer) current if there have been any changes in this. Some of you have said you stopped using a certain atty, so you need to update this with CIS."

If it were me, I'd call the SC to check how long this takes etc and then change the G-28 ASAP. I would still think the embassy would send packet 3 to your fiance since the non-USC needs to sign everything etc. Why send a packet to the USA to be sent BACK to Germany? But it is the government, so who knows Good luck!

Okay, another question regarding firing my attorney: The NOA1 went to his address as opposed to mine. The NOA2 is currently in the mail, and I assume it is also being sent to his office since the first notice did. Does that mean that my fiance's packet 3 will also be sent from the embassy to my attorney? I've read a couple of posts where it seems like that happened. And I imagine that will add time. If I do fire my attorney now and if packet 3 will be sent to his office as opposed to my fiance's home in Germany, what will happen? Is it possible to get all that changed in time if I fire the attorney or am I better off just keeping him because it will complicate and lengthen our wait time?

I'm so frustrated. I wish I had never hired him in the first place.

Edited February 25, 2007 by msu17

[DollThrift 0]

Okay, another question regarding firing my attorney: The NOA1 went to his address as opposed to mine. The NOA2 is currently in the mail, and I assume it is also being sent to his office since the first notice did. Does that mean that my fiance's packet 3 will also be sent from the embassy to my attorney? I've read a couple of posts where it seems like that happened. And I imagine that will add time. If I do fire my attorney now and if packet 3 will be sent to his office as opposed to my fiance's home in Germany, what will happen? Is it possible to get all that changed in time if I fire the attorney or am I better off just keeping him because it will complicate and lengthen our wait time?

I'm so frustrated. I wish I had never hired him in the first place.

I think I'm in the boat right behind you. I had no experience in this area and thought "I don't want to waste any time- I'll just hire an attorney so I know everything is handled ASAP". I received a recommendation from a co-worker and did some online research to check the company's background. I felt like I was being responsible in my actions and was confident in the attorney.

Well, now I'm beginning to have second thoughts. Everytime I email my attorney he answers in one-word responses. And half the time I've tried to contact him by phone it ends up going to an answering machine. I feel like I'm bothering him everytime I have an inquiry, but at the same time i AM paying this guy to represent me. Am I wrong in thinking he should keep us updated on any paperwork we may need in the future? I'm at the point where I feel like I should call him everyday to check the status- afterall, I didn't shell out a fair amount of money just so he could press the "send" button.

Should I give it more time before I begin to lose it...?

[kari lina 0]

Yes, it is so frustrating isn't it? Here is the last time I tried to get info from my attorney (since then I've just come on here for all info):

I wrote:

Jeff,

I wanted to touch bases with you and get a bit of information. Paul flies back to Germany on January 22nd because his 90 days will be up. Are there any documents that he needs to bring with him? As far as the next steps of the process go will the USCIS contact us directly or will you get all of the correspondence? Can you give us more information as what to expect next with the interview and so on? We feel a bit in the dark as to the process and what to expect.

Thank you for your help,

Karoline

The attorney's response:

Karoline,

Paul does not need to take any documents with him. After the INS approves the fiancee petition (hopefully shortly) the file will be transferred to the US Consulate in Frankfurt. Paul will have an interview at which time he will be asked about your relationship, how you met, how long you have dated, etc. and also if he has any criminal problems. Paul should not sweat the interview!

I will keep you posted with any developments.

Regards,

Jeff.

from what I understand Paul should have most definitely taken with him the copies of everything we submitted. On top of that, I could have provided him with my bank and financial info, etc. That would have saved me from having to ship it to him. My attorney makes it sound like it just goes straight from NOA2 to interview... Ugh. Plus, he calls it INS. Not a huge deal, but come on, at least give me the confidence that you realize it's not called INS anymore.

Oh, and msu17. I agree that it seems completely unreasonable for the embassy to send packet 3 to the attorney in the US, but here is a post where it seems like that happened. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=attorney I'm just afraid it will happen to us too. In some ways I feel like I'm too far along in the process to get rid of the attorny and that I will just end up complicating and prolonging. I really don't know what to do. But I'm still supposed to pay him the other half of the money (i paid half as a retainer). And I really don't feel he deserves the money.

Thank you for your replies You people keep me sane

Okay, another question regarding firing my attorney: The NOA1 went to his address as opposed to mine. The NOA2 is currently in the mail, and I assume it is also being sent to his office since the first notice did. Does that mean that my fiance's packet 3 will also be sent from the embassy to my attorney? I've read a couple of posts where it seems like that happened. And I imagine that will add time. If I do fire my attorney now and if packet 3 will be sent to his office as opposed to my fiance's home in Germany, what will happen? Is it possible to get all that changed in time if I fire the attorney or am I better off just keeping him because it will complicate and lengthen our wait time?

I'm so frustrated. I wish I had never hired him in the first place.

I think I'm in the boat right behind you. I had no experience in this area and thought "I don't want to waste any time- I'll just hire an attorney so I know everything is handled ASAP". I received a recommendation from a co-worker and did some online research to check the company's background. I felt like I was being responsible in my actions and was confident in the attorney.

Well, now I'm beginning to have second thoughts. Everytime I email my attorney he answers in one-word responses. And half the time I've tried to contact him by phone it ends up going to an answering machine. I feel like I'm bothering him everytime I have an inquiry, but at the same time i AM paying this guy to represent me. Am I wrong in thinking he should keep us updated on any paperwork we may need in the future? I'm at the point where I feel like I should call him everyday to check the status- afterall, I didn't shell out a fair amount of money just so he could press the "send" button.

Should I give it more time before I begin to lose it...?

[msu17 0]

Silly embassy!!! Though I guess it makes some sense. Anywho, again if it were me, I'd call the service center regarding the G-28 and see how long it takes to file etc. ALSO, perhaps have your fiance call the embassy to see if they can send you the forms or what has to be done to have them sent to him. I heard at least at the UK embassy they can resend the packet since things get lost in the mail every once in a while. If you do stay with the lawyer, make sure he gets you packet 3 as soon as it comes in.

There was no real negligence in your case, so you probably cant report him to the bar, but maybe the better business bureau? If nothing else, let the lawyer who recommended him know what a horrible job he did!

[DollThrift 0]

Yes, it is so frustrating isn't it? Here is the last time I tried to get info from my attorney (since then I've just come on here for all info):

I wrote:

Jeff,

I wanted to touch bases with you and get a bit of information. Paul flies back to Germany on January 22nd because his 90 days will be up. Are there any documents that he needs to bring with him? As far as the next steps of the process go will the USCIS contact us directly or will you get all of the correspondence? Can you give us more information as what to expect next with the interview and so on? We feel a bit in the dark as to the process and what to expect.

Thank you for your help,

Karoline

The attorney's response:

Karoline,

Paul does not need to take any documents with him. After the INS approves the fiancee petition (hopefully shortly) the file will be transferred to the US Consulate in Frankfurt. Paul will have an interview at which time he will be asked about your relationship, how you met, how long you have dated, etc. and also if he has any criminal problems. Paul should not sweat the interview!

I will keep you posted with any developments.

Regards,

Jeff.

from what I understand Paul should have most definitely taken with him the copies of everything we submitted. On top of that, I could have provided him with my bank and financial info, etc. That would have saved me from having to ship it to him. My attorney makes it sound like it just goes straight from NOA2 to interview... Ugh. Plus, he calls it INS. Not a huge deal, but come on, at least give me the confidence that you realize it's not called INS anymore.

Oh, and msu17. I agree that it seems completely unreasonable for the embassy to send packet 3 to the attorney in the US, but here is a post where it seems like that happened. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=attorney I'm just afraid it will happen to us too. In some ways I feel like I'm too far along in the process to get rid of the attorny and that I will just end up complicating and prolonging. I really don't know what to do. But I'm still supposed to pay him the other half of the money (i paid half as a retainer). And I really don't feel he deserves the money.

Thank you for your replies You people keep me sane

Okay, another question regarding firing my attorney: The NOA1 went to his address as opposed to mine. The NOA2 is currently in the mail, and I assume it is also being sent to his office since the first notice did. Does that mean that my fiance's packet 3 will also be sent from the embassy to my attorney? I've read a couple of posts where it seems like that happened. And I imagine that will add time. If I do fire my attorney now and if packet 3 will be sent to his office as opposed to my fiance's home in Germany, what will happen? Is it possible to get all that changed in time if I fire the attorney or am I better off just keeping him because it will complicate and lengthen our wait time?

I'm so frustrated. I wish I had never hired him in the first place.

I think I'm in the boat right behind you. I had no experience in this area and thought "I don't want to waste any time- I'll just hire an attorney so I know everything is handled ASAP". I received a recommendation from a co-worker and did some online research to check the company's background. I felt like I was being responsible in my actions and was confident in the attorney.

Well, now I'm beginning to have second thoughts. Everytime I email my attorney he answers in one-word responses. And half the time I've tried to contact him by phone it ends up going to an answering machine. I feel like I'm bothering him everytime I have an inquiry, but at the same time i AM paying this guy to represent me. Am I wrong in thinking he should keep us updated on any paperwork we may need in the future? I'm at the point where I feel like I should call him everyday to check the status- afterall, I didn't shell out a fair amount of money just so he could press the "send" button.

Should I give it more time before I begin to lose it...?

"Ugh. Plus, he calls it INS. Not a huge deal, but come on, at least give me the confidence that you realize it's not called INS anymore. "

lol...........

[kari lina 0]

Silly embassy!!! Though I guess it makes some sense. Anywho, again if it were me, I'd call the service center regarding the G-28 and see how long it takes to file etc. ALSO, perhaps have your fiance call the embassy to see if they can send you the forms or what has to be done to have them sent to him. I heard at least at the UK embassy they can resend the packet since things get lost in the mail every once in a while. If you do stay with the lawyer, make sure he gets you packet 3 as soon as it comes in.

There was no real negligence in your case, so you probably cant report him to the bar, but maybe the better business bureau? If nothing else, let the lawyer who recommended him know what a horrible job he did!

Yeah, that's a good idea. I'm planning to write a long letter to the attorney; maybe he will redeem himself if he realizes how unsatisfied I am. I did tell my dad (whose attorney recommended mine) how disappointed I am. My dad profusely apologized because he was the one who convinced me to get the attorney in the first place. My dad is German and went through this in the seventies, but from what my parents tell me the process was infinitely easier back then.

My father's attorney is awesome. I'm slightly involved with my father's company and have worked a bit with his attorney and he is the most detail oriented man I have ever met, so I was quite confident that he would recommend someone with the same work ethic.

You're right the attorney hasn't technically been negligent, but I'm paying him literally thousands of dollars, so it would be really fabulous if I could get better than "not technically negligent." Maybe I'm just getting too picky

Thank you for putting up with my ranting and raving btw

[ManuNSam 1]

Kari

How about directly asking the lawyer what paperwork you can prepare now that will come up later. Mention a few things you "Found on the internet". Let him know your no dummy.

THing is that i THINK when your SO goes to the interview, the interview could go more smoothly. You know if the counselor sees the paperwork was prepared by a lawyer they MIGHT have the impression that things are all proper and correct. (jsut an idea - i dont know for sure).

I do think that maybe your a little anxious (like we all are) and your lawyer is a bit relaxed. I guess - i jsut think there are benefits to having a lawyer. if things do get sticky anywhere you have someone to assist you.

SO - i personally think your best option is to let your lawyer know you expect more from him. it could be beneficial to you to have one, simply in the eyes of the counselor.

It wouldnt hurt to be frank with him about things. Let him know you have done some research and you know that in the next step youll need items that he hasnt informed you of. Explain bluntly that your feeling as if you can navigate this yourself - if not better - than with his services. It will give him the opportunity to light the fire under his *** and give you what your paying for.

ON ANOTHER NOTE.........

my husband and i orginally filed a k1, later we canceleld and filed cr1 (currently waiting for this to be approved).

we hired a lawyer for that original k1. we did the same as you, input our info online and he sent us the forms to approve. all sorts of errors. Then after getting it all done, i kept emailing the lawyer telling him the check we sent for USCIS had not cleared. i was anxiously checking for this because i wanted to get the number off the back so i knew our case number. he didnt respond for a long while.......he apparently went on vacation - which he told us 4 weeks later when he got back.

so - i figured i had been had, after not hearing for a few weeks. so we had done our own papers and submitted them ourselves. Our papers made it 1 day earlier than the papers the lawyer submitted. Apparently after he got back from vacation he mailed in our papers.

When he told me he didnt email me because he was on vacation i was so PO. I promptly fired him. To remove him from our case was not difficult at all. i sent him and Vermont Service Center a letter with the updated information that the lawyer named Mr. OT was no longer representing us. .. blah blah. He in turn filed a paper with them as well that notified/confirmed removing him from the case as a legal representative. it didnt delay the case by any means.

Now that me and my husband are on the CR1 case, we have been put in administrative processing. This is a total pain in the *** and we dont have a lawyer. and in the back of my head i wonder if we had a lawyer if we would be "investigated". I actually lived with my husband 7 months before we filed our cr1 case. its been 6 weeks since his interview and we still havent been cleared. they are investigating our wedding ceremony!

Bottom line - as i finish this email - is that i dont know for sure that having a lawyer is a benefit to your case, but - i just wantd to give you something to think about before you fire him

sam

[JoanBill 0]

I work full time and am quite busy, so I thought that it would be easier for me if I hired an immigration attorney. I wanted to do everything right the first time taking as little time as possible, so I was willing to pay the rather hefty amount. I contacted an attorney that I had found on the internet, but they never returned my call. So, my father's attorney suggested an immigration attorney that he knows who was supposed to be "one of the best." His fee was even higher than I had expected, but it seemed worth it to me if I got the best possible attention to our case. Well, I'm just not sure that I have. First off, I have learned 1,000 times more about this process from this website than from my attorney. Whenever I ask him questions, he makes everything sound like i'm worrying too much and there was nothing I needed to do but wait. For instance, he told me nothing about needing to get together documents from my banks, etc. for the I134; things that I could be doing ahead of time. Secondly, there were multiple mistakes in the paperwork and we had to get them re-done like 3 times. They even had Germany spelled incorrectly! The way his system worked is that we entered all of the information on a website. I'm very particular so I proofread everything about 10 times. So, it when they were transferring the information to the forms, they did so wrong, in numerous places on the forms. It was quite frustrating because every time they had to make corrections it took a few more days. Also, when I received my first receipt after paying half of the fee, it was a blank letterhead with only my address at the top, like they forgot to actually type the pertinent information that should have been on the receipt.

My father's attorney is great and I am really surprised that he referred me to somebody who isn't also excellent, but it feels like I could have done this much better myself and possibly even in the same amount of time. I've only paid half of the fee, and I have considered letting him know that I no longer need his services and outline the reasons why and then not pay the second half which should be due when my fiance arrives in the US. However, I'm afraid to do that because he is supposed to also take care of the work authorization (the invoice also says travel permission?) once my fiance arrives. I don't want to fire him and then when it comes time to getting those done, I'll realize that I need him.

So, I am looking for advice. Anybody in a similar situation? Should I keep the attorney? Or am I just throwing away thousands of dollars?

This was my short experience with a lawyer. I talked to one and told him I was going to visit Joan in a few weeks. I asked him if I should get as much paperwork done before leaving so that I could have her sign everything when I was there and then file immediately after I returned. His answer was 'no' which I thought was shortsighted and stupid. I never looked back. Joan and I will pull this off ourselves. And next fall when we're sitting on the beach reflecting on what we accomplished, it's gonna feel pretty damn good knowing 'we' did it.

[MPGGPM 0]

I work full time and am quite busy, so I thought that it would be easier for me if I hired an immigration attorney. I wanted to do everything right the first time taking as little time as possible, so I was willing to pay the rather hefty amount. I contacted an attorney that I had found on the internet, but they never returned my call. So, my father's attorney suggested an immigration attorney that he knows who was supposed to be "one of the best." His fee was even higher than I had expected, but it seemed worth it to me if I got the best possible attention to our case. Well, I'm just not sure that I have. First off, I have learned 1,000 times more about this process from this website than from my attorney. Whenever I ask him questions, he makes everything sound like i'm worrying too much and there was nothing I needed to do but wait. For instance, he told me nothing about needing to get together documents from my banks, etc. for the I134; things that I could be doing ahead of time. Secondly, there were multiple mistakes in the paperwork and we had to get them re-done like 3 times. They even had Germany spelled incorrectly! The way his system worked is that we entered all of the information on a website. I'm very particular so I proofread everything about 10 times. So, it when they were transferring the information to the forms, they did so wrong, in numerous places on the forms. It was quite frustrating because every time they had to make corrections it took a few more days. Also, when I received my first receipt after paying half of the fee, it was a blank letterhead with only my address at the top, like they forgot to actually type the pertinent information that should have been on the receipt.

My father's attorney is great and I am really surprised that he referred me to somebody who isn't also excellent, but it feels like I could have done this much better myself and possibly even in the same amount of time. I've only paid half of the fee, and I have considered letting him know that I no longer need his services and outline the reasons why and then not pay the second half which should be due when my fiance arrives in the US. However, I'm afraid to do that because he is supposed to also take care of the work authorization (the invoice also says travel permission?) once my fiance arrives. I don't want to fire him and then when it comes time to getting those done, I'll realize that I need him.

So, I am looking for advice. Anybody in a similar situation? Should I keep the attorney? Or am I just throwing away thousands of dollars?

I used to be in the camp that would always agree that hiring an attorney or getting a consultation with one was the best idea. After having hired one myself, I no longer believe that anymore.

In fact, I had such a disagreement with my lawyer just recently, because she was very uninformed about things (you wrote how your lawyer never mentioned to you to get documents from your bank.......well my lawyer never told my wife and I about needing "orignal" documents for the NVC, like birth certificates etc, because the Ankara embassy requires that. We got an RFE and had to scamble to correct that error). I also agree about your statements how the lawyer would always make you feel like you were "worrying" too much. Mine also gave me that impression, and she seemed almost like a "salesperson" in her approach. With her, everything was always going "well" etc...blah , blah, blah....

Well, about 2 weeks ago, after our RFE from the NVC, I complained about several things. For example, she also made several mistakes on the DS-230.....and her and her firm seemed very careless in their approach to things. I also found myself knowing more about J-1 issues than her (my wife had a j-1). She originally told me when I first hired her that she had experience with student visa issues, but I often found her just "quoting the manual" or reading the basic stuff anyone can find online when I asked her questions. She seemed very unknowledgeable about a lot of stuff. Her firm also misplaced things like my wife's copy of her passport, and my wife had to resubmit one. They also made many spelling errors etc on their paperwork and I TOO often , found myself having to point out those mistakes to her , and I felt like my wife and I were "proofreaders". (This made my wife and I verrrrrryyy nervous when we continually saw these mistakes)

I guess part of the blame lies with me in that I hired her. I guess I believed in the myth that by hiring a lawyer, you'd be getting the best for your spouse. My wife means so much to me, that I wanted to do what I felt at the time was the right thing to do, for her. Even though I always felt I could do things myself.....I was concerned for my wife. So I made a choice.......

Eventually, we complained about her careleness. Me.........being a pretty nice guy in general.......but when I get to a certain point where it's obvious the work was not up to the price that I paid to hire her, and that her firm was being careless with our case..................well, if it was my wife's future that was dependant on that work, I was NOT just going to sit by and continue to let it happen. So, I wrote a letter, and pointed out her mistakes, her seeming lack of experience when it came to student visa issues, and her firm's lack of care with our case.

Obviously, she didn't like to be criticized.......(in her words...the mistakes she made were as she put them "bumps in the road".....( aaaaarrrrggghh!!! I didn't pay for "bumps"!! ) ............and we had a hard time for about a week in dealing with her and her firm.

It's a long story, and I'd rather not get into too many details. Needless to say, it was a VERY tough and stressful time for my wife and I, especially the last couple of weeks we used her.

The relationship finally ended with the law firm giving us half of our money back (they sent us a check) ..........and I am now handling the rest of the process myself.

The law firm even had the recklessness to send us back all of our "original" documents by REGULAR mail (it was just sent priority mail.....no signature required.....nothing)........without even telling us they were sending it. They sent all the originals (birth certificate, marriage certificate etc..), PLUS the original DS-230 documents from the NVC, and a lot of personal contents (pictures) and information (w-2's, tax returns). They never even gave us the opportunity to go pick them up which I obviously would have, than take the chance they get lost in the mail. It was EXTREMELY careless. <---(lot's of angry faces today)

All in all..................I would never hire another lawyer after this experience. I was disappointed by the amount of time they take with a case, and how much care is given to even minor things (like spelling errors, omissions, what documents needed etc....). Our lawyer seemed to take on more cases than she could handle, and so never seemed to take much time with our case, and took it for granted. I guess she never thought I'd complain. I suppose most of her customers are not as informed about things as I am (or others like me...on this forum.) I don't think she's used to having someone check up on her as much, or be aware of things that she was not. Most of her customers are probably quite naive about the immigration process and issues related.

Eventually, when I finally did get those original documents and the DS-230 they so carelessly sent through the mail, and I started to see things for myself, I found by calling the NVC (which is another thing she never did.......they never took the time to call places like the NVC and check up on things),.....I found out several OTHER things the lawyer was not aware of, and mistakes that needed to be corrected. I fixed them myself, and have sent back the package to the NVC. I am totally convinced that if I had not taken the time to call the NVC, and that we had left it up to the lawyer to correct the mistakes from the RFE, she wouldn't have caught it. Because she wasn't aware if it before, and would never have known about it unless she called the NVC (which she wouldn't have). Even my wife and I weren't aware of an issue that was told to us by the NVC...so how would anyone have known about it unless they called?

And we'd have just gotten ANOTHER RFE..............for that same mistake....and weeks later, we'd be aggravated even more.

So, in the end....I got half my money back (which was fair...the firm did do "some" work...sloppy as it was), and by doing things myself, I was more careful and able to find errors the lawyer didn't know about....corrected them, and have sent everything back to the NVC. (crossing fingers now)

For me.....hiring a lawyer was a VERY bad experience.

[britty 1]

I did use an attorney for my K-1 visa and for my AOS and I can honestly say that it was an excellent decision. I consider myself an intelligent person and would have certainly been able to do the paperwork myself, but both myself and my fiance felt that a legal entity who had done this countless times before may know the "ins and outs" of the process. My attorney was an immigration attorney and absolutely knew everything about the process, where problems lie, actual response times (rather than USCIS website times), and a whole array of useful information.

Yes my case was pretty straightforward, however, I filed for K-1 end of July 2006 and received my K-1 from the London Embassy on October 3rd. My AOS was filed on 31 December 2006 and I received my green card on 16 February 2007. With those timescales, I feel my attorney was worth his $2,500 fee (that was for both services).

My greencard arrived with my incorrect birth month, and whilst this isnt a problem as I can still work and travel, it has to be returned for re-issue. I have been told by others that it takes 6 months. I am using my attorney again just to file the one form but I am very confident I wont wait 6 months for the new card, and its the peace of mind that counts for me.

[DA BOMB 1]

The lawyer wont have packet 3 because it comes from the consulate, right? I really cant stand lawyers.

[Aymerlu 3]

If you have a complicated case an attorney may be able to help out. I've seen and heard too many horror stories though. If your case is straight forward, you can do it yourself.

[kari lina 0]

I did use an attorney for my K-1 visa and for my AOS and I can honestly say that it was an excellent decision. I consider myself an intelligent person and would have certainly been able to do the paperwork myself, but both myself and my fiance felt that a legal entity who had done this countless times before may know the "ins and outs" of the process. My attorney was an immigration attorney and absolutely knew everything about the process, where problems lie, actual response times (rather than USCIS website times), and a whole array of useful information.

Yes my case was pretty straightforward, however, I filed for K-1 end of July 2006 and received my K-1 from the London Embassy on October 3rd. My AOS was filed on 31 December 2006 and I received my green card on 16 February 2007. With those timescales, I feel my attorney was worth his $2,500 fee (that was for both services).

My greencard arrived with my incorrect birth month, and whilst this isnt a problem as I can still work and travel, it has to be returned for re-issue. I have been told by others that it takes 6 months. I am using my attorney again just to file the one form but I am very confident I wont wait 6 months for the new card, and its the peace of mind that counts for me.

That is great that you've had such a good experience with your attorney. If my attorney has as much insight on the whole process as yours did, then he just doesn't like to share that insight. I know I'm the type of person who wants to know everything going on and to double check and make sure everything is right, but I am paying my attorney $3,000 so I think that is okay. (I felt okay paying that much considering he was called one of the best, I was okay with believing that I would get the best attention to my case). I do think I've just been a bit exasperated this weekend and I need to take a step back and relax and make a good decision then.

ManunSam, MPGGPM and all the rest, thank you so much for caring and taking the time to share your experiences and suggestions. It really does make me feel so much better to have a support team like this.

Edited February 25, 2007 by kari lina

[kari lina 0]

The lawyer wont have packet 3 because it comes from the consulate, right? I really cant stand lawyers.

Mrs. Billybong, I hope it doesn't happen often, but I read this post ---> http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=attorney where the consulate sent Packet 3 to the attorney, so I wanted to see if that does happen frequently and if I should be worried about that happening in our case.