How much did you pay your lawyer?

[RamonGomez 264]

We've used the same attorney on and off over the years.

 

For the N400, my wife filled out the forms.  The attorney is charging $600 to familiarize herself with the submitted N400 (1 hour), a 1-hour strategy/prep session before the interview, and the interview itself. So basically $200/hr for 3 hours of her time.

 

We definitely want a witness there in case the USCIS officer acts of line (rare, but happens, and much less likely to happen with an attorney present), if we ever get into a "USCIS's word vs. our word" type of situation, etc. Plus the attorney knows pretty much all the officers there and knows how to handle the few oddballs. And if we run into the rare problem post-interview, like a denial, we already have an attorney that's familiar with the case and can get working on next steps ASAP.

[Positive_Vibes 63]

On 10/1/2023 at 11:35 AM, Cathi said:

For peace of mind, I would never hire an attorney, I'd do it myself, Time after time after time we see people here in VJ asking for advice to fix their cases because the high paid lawyers they hired for "peace of mind" screwed up their cases royally. I'm not exaggerating. The lawyer isn't even the person who will fill out the paperwork, a clerk will. Having a lawyer guarantees nothing and getting "VIP" treatment doesn't mean that clerk will fill out the information correctly. I have been on this site for 11 years now, I've seen and heard it all, almost daily we have people come and say how much the regret ever hiring a so called "immigration" attorney, especially for a straightforward case. Is your brother's best friend an immigration attorney? I'm also curious why you would need a lawyer for "backup" at the interview in case there is a "misunderstanding between you and interviewer"? If you tell the truth there won't be any misunderstandings. Obviously you are free to do as you wish, but you seem so concerned about price and you think that somehow hiring a lawyer will help with your "slam dunk" case. If money is a concern and your case is so air tight, it's precisely why you don't need a lawyer.  

Listen, this is a DIY site, you aren't going to find many, if any, people who tell you to hire an attorney, unless you have a complicated case. In fact, my husband and I had many so called red flags in our case and we never used an attorney during the entire journey, up to and including naturalization. I found this site after our petition had been approved and it was at the NVC, I came here to ask questions when needed, and never once did anyone steer me wrong. Not only did we DIY, we never at any point even received an RFE, I had total control over our case from start to finish. That's what I call peace of mind.

 

I can definitely agree with this. I didn't use a lawyer when I filed for DACA, I-130, I-485, I-751, or the N-400. I only came on VJ for advice because my I-751 was taking forever but everything all worked out in the end. Spent $0 on a lawyer. 

[Visitor User 240]

1 hour ago, Positive_Vibes said:

 

I can definitely agree with this. I didn't use a lawyer when I filed for DACA, I-130, I-485, I-751, or the N-400. I only came on VJ for advice because my I-751 was taking forever but everything all worked out in the end. Spent $0 on a lawyer. 

Thanks. Many DACA also had EWI and multiples too so that is definitely lawyer route. 

[Visitor User 240]

3 hours ago, RamonGomez said:

We've used the same attorney on and off over the years.

 

For the N400, my wife filled out the forms.  The attorney is charging $600 to familiarize herself with the submitted N400 (1 hour), a 1-hour strategy/prep session before the interview, and the interview itself. So basically $200/hr for 3 hours of her time.

 

We definitely want a witness there in case the USCIS officer acts of line (rare, but happens, and much less likely to happen with an attorney present), if we ever get into a "USCIS's word vs. our word" type of situation, etc. Plus the attorney knows pretty much all the officers there and knows how to handle the few oddballs. And if we run into the rare problem post-interview, like a denial, we already have an attorney that's familiar with the case and can get working on next steps ASAP.

Total was $800? I agree lawyer is a life saver at the interview. We had some miscommunications at my AOS and my lawyer interrupted and had to clarify the answers as well as couple documents that we submitted. Otherwise, I would have had delays in a decision. I was approved the following morning. 
 

Lawyer fees is what YOU value not what others think. 

Edited October 5, 2023 by Visitor User

[Visitor User 240]

Did anyone pay over $5,000?

[Visitor User 240]

For those that had DACA: Was your case a Overstay Visa OR EWI?

[JLang 3]

I paid 2k for N400.

[Visitor User 240]

Just now, JLang said:

I paid 2k for N400.

Sounds on a high end. What kind of case was it?

[Positive_Vibes 63]

On 10/7/2023 at 2:15 PM, Visitor User said:

For those that had DACA: Was your case a Overstay Visa OR EWI?

Mine was overstay visa

[Visitor User 240]

1 hour ago, Positive_Vibes said:

Mine was overstay visa

Did you have to leave USA for interview?

[Positive_Vibes 63]

46 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

Did you have to leave USA for interview?

No, I filed I-485, which allowed me to adjust while being in the US. 

[Ontarkie 13,975]

~~MOved to General Immigration Discussion as this turned out to not only discussing attorney fees for N400 but for all processes.~~

[Visitor User 240]

3 hours ago, Positive_Vibes said:

No, I filed I-485, which allowed me to adjust while being in the US. 

This was based on marriage?

[Positive_Vibes 63]

27 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

This was based on marriage?

Yes

[Visitor User 240]

20 minutes ago, Positive_Vibes said:

Yes

Lawyer was with you at the interview?