YouAndMeForever

This is normal. My marriage certificate has my maiden last name on it too. She does NOT need to change her name in court. The marriage certificate is the official proof that both last name belongs to her. File for AOS with the name she wants to use in the future (as you stated, her married last name).
After you file for AOS, they will schedule a biometrics appointment for her at the local USCIS office and she will need to present a valid ID. If she files for AOS with her married name and she takes her passport as an ID to that appointment, make sure she has a copy of the marriage certificate with her as proof of name change.
Also, it is up to her whether she wants to get a new passport with her married name in it or let the old one expire and then renew it using her married name. Even after she gets her green card she can travel with her old valid passport in case she carries a copy of the marriage certificate with her.
Good luck!

What visa are you adjusting from?

Not true. She doesn't need a State ID. She only needs a copy of marriage certificate as a proof that both name belongs to her. Foreign Passport + marriage certificate = valid ID. That is what 99% of the people use at their biometrics appointment and AOS application and it works.
If she files for AOS in her married name, she only needs to submit a copy of marriage certificate as proof of name change, and that's it.

In some states (mine too) immigrants are only allowed to obtain a state ID after they got EAD. So obviously it doesn't work for everybody.
However, getting a certified copy of the marriage certificate is an easy and fast process. And it is the best proof for name change.

It might work for them, yeah. BUT the official proof of name change IS a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Like I said that is what most people use and it makes sense. I obtained 4 copies on the day my husband and I got married (they were $10 each). I used 2 for the AOS and EAD applications, and I brought one with me to my biometrics appointment and I have another just in case.
At the biometrics appointment when I had to show my ID, I showed my foreign passport and the copy of the marriage certificate. The guy who checked my ID was pleased that I brought both. He said that alot of women (who also file for AOS with their married name and have a passport with their maiden name) don't bring the copy of the marriage certificate with them and then they are surprised why they are not being let in.

1. I never had difficulty with my immigration process at all, but I was stressed out alot. Mentally, physically and emotionally,
2. Only VisaJourney. I love this site and I'm so grateful that I found before starting the K1 process.

Having met through a family member is a red flag. Do you have any other red flags in your relationship? Huge age difference, huge cultural difference, different religions? She doesn't speak English (you mentioned she used a translator at her interview), but do you speak her language? Not having a common language to speak is a red flag also. How many times have you met her in person and how much time have you spent together?
Most people say appealing is a waste of time. I would say find out why she was denied then get married and file for a spousal visa (IR-1/CR-1). Ethiopia is a high fraud country, so make sure you submit tons of evidence and spend a lot of time together in person before filing.

Yeah, most likely the problem was that you have met her in person only once and spent 2 weeks together. You two need to spend much more time together in person before even applying for a spousal visa. High fraud country consulates are hard to please, for a good reason.
Good luck!

I had my K1 visa interview in November last year and I was pretty stressed before it even though my then-fiance/now-husband didn't have any red flags in our relationship whatsoever. The interview lasted 5 mins, it was easy, the consul was friendy and I was approved on spot. 2 days later I received my passport with my visa in it, and 11 days after the interview I moved to the US. It was the best feeling in the world to jump into my love's arms knowing we won't have to be apart ever again!
My advice is to triple check everything when putting your paperwork together for the interview. On your interview day, arrive early, relax, smile and answer all the questions truthfully.
Also, as the poster above me suggested, read the appropriate US Embassy/Consulate reviews: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cty=&cnty=Argentina
Bets of luck to you and keep us updated!

Your options are 1, 3, 4. But 2 is not even an option. There is no way your wife would be re-admitted to the US without her AP document. There have been lots of threads about this topic. A lot of people make the mistake of planning a wedding and making reservations before even receiving the K1 visa or later on, the AP document.
I personally wouldn't throw away everything I worked for so hard with my husband. So in your case I would either cancel the wedding (option 1) or postpone her flight and keep on waiting (option 3). Your wife will likely receive her AP document (or combo card if she applied for EAD too) by June 27th, but there is no guarantee. That's why it is important to keep in mind the unwritten rule: never make plans until you don't have the actual thing in your mailbox. When I arrived on a K1 visa, my husband and I had a small courthouse wedding and we will have the "big one" once I have my greencard. I don't want to be stressed for weeks before my big day.
If you feel like you gotta have a lawyer, look for a new one. Because your current one gave you false advice that's potentially endangering your wife's immigration process.
Good luck!

Why does your profile says that you filed for a K-1 visa? Change it to "Adjustment Of Status (Pending)". Your wife is adjusting from a tourist visa, not K1.

You mentioned that your wife received the EAD (I-765, Employment Authorization Document). Since she applied for AP (I-131) as well I suppose that she received the combo card. Her EAD (combo card) should say in the bottom "Valid for reentry to US". And that allows her to go and visit her terminally ill relative.

There has to be a lot more to your story. If your father's arrest was a "misunderstanding" and it wasn't domestic violence then why didn't your mother defend him?
From what I understand, your dad has been in the US illegally for 15 years and he was 4 years in jail for domestic violence. He abused the immigration system and he was in jail. Letting a person like him stay would be a slap in the face to all the legal immigrants who came here following the immigration law to the letter. You are an adult. You can get a job and support your mom.

Yes it is alone is enough to be readmitted to the US after traveling abroad. Your wife is free to visit her relative.
One more thing: If her EAD/AP card (a.k.a. combo card) has her married name on it but her passport still has her maiden name, she should carry a certified copy of marriage certificate with her as well as a proof that both name belongs to her.
You can change your "immigration status" on your profile by clicking on your username in the upper right corner, then "My Settings" --> "Profile Settings" (General Account Settings) ---> "Immigration Info" -----> "Immigration Status" ----> select "Adjustment of Status (pending)". Please change this because you are not adjusting from K1 visa, and your current status is pending AOS.
Good luck!

Ok, but why can't you get a job and support your mom and yourself? I mean I understand that you love your dad and you want him to be with you but you and your mom don't literally need him to survive.

As for your PTSD. You said before that you were diagnosed with depression and PTSD but you don't take any medications for it. Why don't you seek professional help (therapy) if you feel like it is crippling your life so much that you can't get a job? A lot of people who have mental disorders still work.

Yep. A DV felon who has been an illegal immigrant for 15 years. Doesn't sound very appealing.

That is what I was saying too. There has to be a LOT more this story. No one goes to jail for nothing.

I'm sorry but you keep repeating the same excuses. I understand that your mom has health problems. But how exactly would your dad living with you help your situation? How could he get a job supporting your sick mom, you and himself? He is not young either and he is a felon.

Exactly. I just don't get this. He doesn't have to tell anyone about it. And anyway, PTSD is common. It is hard but it's perfectly possible to live a normal life with it.

I asked my question before he stated that and thank you, I can read.

I don't know if this helps, but these are the things I brought to my K1 visa interview.
My interview was on November 25th, 2014, I was approved after a short, 5 minute long interview.I was asked only a few question and I didn't have to show any proof of ongoing relationship. 2 days later I already received my passport with my visa in it. I organized the documents & stuff in 4 different colored folders, since I'm big time fan of bright colors! Even the Consul said she likes how organized and colorful it was
Pink folder (personal documents)
1. passport
2. DS-160 confirmation page
3. interview appointment letter
4. visa photos
5. birth certificate
6. police certificate
7. medical papers
8. photocopy of NOA2
Green folder (Form I-134 & proof) - my then-fiance/now-husband was my sponsor
9. form I-134 (Affidavit of Support)
10. IRS Tax Return Transcript (2013)
11. IRS Wage & Income Transcript (2013)
12. last 12 paychecks
13. employment letter
Yellow folder (proof of ongoing relationship)
14. Facebook wall screenshots
15. Facebook message screenshots
16. Skype call history
17. a postcard I sent to my fiancé
18. updated letter of intents
Blue folder (proof of having met - we already submitted these in I-129F)
19. electronic plane ticket
20. boarding passes
21. ESTA confirmation
22. passport stamp (ESTA)
23. receipts

I get it. Your very last hope is to prove that you and your mother will suffer through extreme hardship without him. This won't work.

Well you refuse to answer certain questions and you don't like to face the truth. As other users pointed it out there has to be a lot more to this Domestic Violence felony thing. No one goes to jail for 4 years for nothing. I get it that you are stressed and confused but also understand that you are not helpless. You CAN get PROPER treatment for your PTSD and when you have yourself together you can support your sick mom financially and emotionally. The chances are very slim that your dad can stay with you two. Good luck to you anyway.