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Dave A

Hiring attorney worth it?

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

Thread is moved from Off Topic to the Philippines regional forum.

Please read the innumerable threads on this exact topic, found in the K-1 Process forum.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
1 hour ago, Dave A said:

Wondering whether or not it’s worth it to hire an attorney (usc / Filipina fiancée / k-1 visa). Thank you!

Hi, Dave!

 

I think you'll find that the community here is EXTREMELY helpful with any and all questions that may come up.  So, really, you could get the whole process done just by relying on the information and advice you receive here.

 

That said, there is a dizzying array of confusing and often conflicting information to cut through on your way to completing the process.  So, I think the decision to hire an attorney really comes down to your risk tolerance and budget.  Attorneys can be costly, but you may wind up saving money in the long run due to not stumbling into as many of the (sometimes expensive) pitfalls along the way.

 

In any case, never hesitate to bring your questions here.  As I said, you'll find this community to be extremely helpful and informative.  Best of luck to you!

 

Joel

Please check out my music video for "Bright Side of the World", the song I wrote for my fiancee. You can watch the video on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKu3SvqCBfg

Thanks for listening! :)

Joel

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Depends. What issue do you believe an attorney would be helpful with?

If you can't answer that one, it raises the question of why one is needed.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
Timeline

I agree with Joel. We did the petition ourselves but it took a couple of months to get everything in place (since I also had a full-time job). Most of the questions we had were answered in this forum, using the search bar to make sure I got as many validated answers as possible. At first, we were looking at Youtube videos on the K-1 process but I would say the best is to stick to what USCIS asks for and then this forum (which I also found through a Youtube video on K-1, thank God!)

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I would hire Rapid Visa over an attorney any day, I think they have an office very near the USEM.  I don't know why a person would hire an attorney to do a spousal, Fiance or most any kind of visa.  For the most part they are rather simple and not complicated to do.

 

If you are on this site then you have all the information to do it yourself. and now of days it rather simple and you can fill in the forms online.  When I did it you had to get a typewritter and fill in the forms.

 

If you don't have the time and just don't want to fool with doing it, I would look at a Visa service over an attorney, since they specialize in visas.   Attorneys have their place, but for visas unless you have a complicated case then they are waste of time/money. 

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The forms are free and straightforward I would only hire an attorney if you have some sort of background issue

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It is a relatively straight forward. I like doing it myself because I had control (relatively) of the process. It also helped me understand what was going on. I think using a lawyer would have just gave me another person or group to keep tabs on.

Not a newbie but lost my old info years ago) I have been through this process before --all the way through naturalization-- This site has always been a great help to me. 

 

 

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4 hours ago, boris64 said:

I think using a lawyer would have just gave me another person or group to keep tabs on.

I view it as another point of potential failure.

Finally done.

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I did our spousal visa on my own with help here from these forums. With or without a lawyer you will still be the one responsible for getting all of your documentation, information, etc. together.

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On 7/7/2020 at 8:52 PM, Dave A said:

Wondering whether or not it’s worth it to hire an attorney (usc / Filipina fiancée / k-1 visa). Thank you!

If you want to get all the documents and copies needed and want to wait and have another party put it on the form and run the chance of making a mistake then an attorney for form service is what you do.  If you can read and understand the forms, post here if needed, then the self filing route is the best way to go.

 

You can look at @John & Rose posts and see how one of the site sponsor/ advertiser messed up their K1/K2  and delayed their journey.

 

We did our own spousal filing, even with a few red flags and  while living in a 3rd country, and got approved and in the US in 103 days!

March 2, 2018  Married In Hong Kong

April 30, 2018  Mary moves from the Philippines to Mexico, Husband has MX Permanent Residency

June 13, 2018 Mary receives Mexican Residency Card

June 15, 2018  I-130 DCF Appointment in Juarez  -  June 18, 2018  Approval E-Mail

August 2, 2018 Case Complete At Consulate

September 25, 2018 Interview in CDJ and Approved!

October 7, 2018 In the USA

October 27, 2018 Green Card received 

October 29, 2018 Applied for Social Security Card - November 5, 2018 Social Security Card received

November 6th, 2018 State ID Card Received, Applied for Global Entry - Feb 8,2019 Approved.

July 14, 2020 Removal of Conditions submitted by mail  July 12, 2021 Biometrics Completed

August 6, 2021 N-400 submitted by mail

September 7, 2021 I-751 Interview, Sept 8 Approved and Card Being Produced

October 21, 2021 N-400 Biometrics Completed  

November 30,2021  Interview, Approval and Oath

December 10, 2021 US Passport Issued

August 12, 2022 PHL Dual Nationality Re-established & Passport Approved 

April 6,2023 Legally Separated - Oh well

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