I601a without Lawyer

[JuanandTosha0402 3]

We currently have a lawyer that helped us get the I130 together and sent in. I'm really trying to figure out if how much he is charging for the I601a is a decent price. Can anyone give me some info on your situation? Anyone doing this part without a lawyer?

[Ryan H 3,791]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Waivers forum.

[geowrian 22,336]

What is/are the extreme hardship(s)? I think that would be the best starting place to get useful feedback. No 2 waivers are the same as they are unique to one's circumstances.

 

It likely would have been better to do the I-130 yourself and save the money for the waiver. Waivers are a combination of the circumstances and presentation of those circumstances, whereas the I-130 is fairly basic paperwork and filling in forms.

[JuanandTosha0402 3]

9 minutes ago, geowrian said:

What is/are the extreme hardship(s)? I think that would be the best starting place to get useful feedback. No 2 waivers are the same as they are unique to one's circumstances.

 

It likely would have been better to do the I-130 yourself and save the money for the waiver. Waivers are a combination of the circumstances and presentation of those circumstances, whereas the I-130 is fairly basic paperwork and filling in forms.

Yea im seeing that we should of done it that way. I guess i was just trying to see if our lawyer is charging us a absurd amount to do the waiver. Like $7000.

[geowrian 22,336]

Just now, JuanandTosha0402 said:

Yea im seeing that we should of done it that way. I guess i was just trying to see if our lawyer is charging us a absurd amount to do the waiver. Like $7000.

It depends on how much work they have to put into it, but $7000 sounds pretty excessive to me offhand. More than a couple thousand dollars is probably excessive, but hopefully others with recent experience can chime in.

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

36 minutes ago, JuanandTosha0402 said:

Yea im seeing that we should of done it that way. I guess i was just trying to see if our lawyer is charging us a absurd amount to do the waiver. Like $7000.

It is on the high side but it’s not insanely high. I’ve seen prices from $2-3000 to $7-8000. If it’s $7,000 it’s better a very well-know lawyer in.  If city with many many proven successful cases

[Jackrabbit101 1]

Me personally I will not advice you to get a lawyer I did mines in 2017 without a lawyer and I got approved within 4-5 month. I went on to secure an interview date and by the grace of the lord Jesus Christ I got my green card . Don’t pay any lawyer , hardship letter is a personal experience that family goes though each day just present that on papers with evidence and allow God to do the rest . Thank you 

[trac3rt 63]

As others have mentioned, it depends a lot on your current situation. If you have a clear extreme hardship, such as physical disability, health, or economical, then you may be okay without a lawyer. If not, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer.

[Jane88 41]

On 3/20/2019 at 7:57 PM, JuanandTosha0402 said:

We currently have a lawyer that helped us get the I130 together and sent in. I'm really trying to figure out if how much he is charging for the I601a is a decent price. Can anyone give me some info on your situation? Anyone doing this part without a lawyer?

$9000 all together for I 601A and I130, with all the fees... amd I just got RFE on our Waiver:(

[Neni315 5]

Hi, I did not get a lawyer for any of the process for my husband's green card.  Today I received the approval of his waver.  I wrote it myself and just made sure to get others to read for me for proof reading and grammar.  I did not pay anyone a cent only the application fees. I sent all the proof that I could from my bills to tons of pictures. Letters from my children and family members, people from the community and my job.  I did not have any medical or any grave conditions.  I wrote the hardship letter from my heart and detailed everything we have been through and detailing the reason why it was not good for us to go to Ecuador and sent proof of all the corruption of the politics, the kidnappings to US citizens. I also stated health and medical insurance and the lack of it in Ecuador. Education and how bad it is for my children.  I detailed everything with facts and sent proof.  Things I googled and sent. One time sent and we got approved.

 

Hope this helps.  Look for sample letters here of people who have been approved.  that helped me a lot.

good luck.

[Jane88 41]

28 minutes ago, Neni315 said:

Hi, I did not get a lawyer for any of the process for my husband's green card.  Today I received the approval of his waver.  I wrote it myself and just made sure to get others to read for me for proof reading and grammar.  I did not pay anyone a cent only the application fees. I sent all the proof that I could from my bills to tons of pictures. Letters from my children and family members, people from the community and my job.  I did not have any medical or any grave conditions.  I wrote the hardship letter from my heart and detailed everything we have been through and detailing the reason why it was not good for us to go to Ecuador and sent proof of all the corruption of the politics, the kidnappings to US citizens. I also stated health and medical insurance and the lack of it in Ecuador. Education and how bad it is for my children.  I detailed everything with facts and sent proof.  Things I googled and sent. One time sent and we got approved.

 

Hope this helps.  Look for sample letters here of people who have been approved.  that helped me a lot.

good luck.

Congratulations and best of luck to you guys at the interview phase! I kind of regret getting a lawyer myself now, I see lots of ppl who write waivers themselves from their heart get approved! You did great! I spoke to my lawyer yesterday and she doesn’t want to include letters from family and friends because she doesn’t see how that can help, in her words “they have to actually witness the hardships you are going thru, like if your husband had an anxiety attack per say, they were there and actually witnessed it happen “.... i already got RFE and I am afraid we can be denied...

[Neni315 5]

3 minutes ago, Jane88 said:

Congratulations and best of luck to you guys at the interview phase! I kind of regret getting a lawyer myself now, I see lots of ppl who write waivers themselves from their heart get approved! You did great! I spoke to my lawyer yesterday and she doesn’t want to include letters from family and friends because she doesn’t see how that can help, in her words “they have to actually witness the hardships you are going thru, like if your husband had an anxiety attack per say, they were there and actually witnessed it happen “.... i already got RFE and I am afraid we can be denied...

Thank you, yes they have to write about how they see you suffer without your family member and they have to talk about seeing you as  a family and the effect of separating you guys.I sent letters from family members and from my children teachers saying how my husband was involved in their education and how not being close to their dad would hurt them.   I read that too about not sending children letters or from family members because it doesn't help but I still sent it.  Good luck as well

[Jane88 41]

39 minutes ago, Neni315 said:

Thank you, yes they have to write about how they see you suffer without your family member and they have to talk about seeing you as  a family and the effect of separating you guys.I sent letters from family members and from my children teachers saying how my husband was involved in their education and how not being close to their dad would hurt them.   I read that too about not sending children letters or from family members because it doesn't help but I still sent it.  Good luck as well

Thank you

[Clarebear101 56]

I haven't used an attorney, but I'm a paralegal so I think that helped. If you have a simple case ie no criminal record, several extreme hardships - 601a is doable yourself.  Plenty of examples on the webs.  Save yourself the money.