NYR_Fan

I knew my husband about a year prior to dating , we were friends/next door neighbors , then we started dating , and a year and half later we were married
We've been married for a little over 3 years now and finally are able to adjust his status ... just livin' the life of love with my soul-mate!

"Short" is completely relative, and some people might consider 4 years to be "a very short amount of time." Also, lengths of time are not directly comparable between one relationship and another, given the impact of age, geographical distance, honesty, maturity, quality/amount of communication, and many other factors. So, I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense to compare VJers in this way, especially since it's not clear what you hope to accomplish with this thread. (It kinda seems like you're hinting that 4 years is somehow superior to "a very short amount of time"?)

DO NOT HIRE A LAWYER! I actually spoke to USCIS in person and he said that hiring a lawyer is not only a waste of money but a waste of time. They tell you hiring a lawyer makes your visa process faster which is a complete lie. I put everything together and sent it out myself. Just read the VJ guidelines, people's questions and comments and if you still have questions then start your own topic. This process requires you to fill out paperwork based on you and your fiance's information then to gather the information. All you do is send it to your lawyer he reviews it and sends it back. So why bother paying someone so much money when you are doing all the work yourself anyway.

Never... I saw way to many horror stories to ever put my faith in one. My husband and I did everything ourselves, and it allowed for us to have total control and correspondance with the folks at the USCIS and NVC. Had everything been communicated through a third party, we would have lost our minds.

Divorce and move on.

That is why I suggest looking for a battered women's shelter so that they can help you to take the next step. You do not need his permission to apply for a divorce in California and can do so whenever you choose. If you have been married less than 5 years and have no children you can look into a Summary Dissolution of marriage here: http://www.courts.ca.gov/1241.htm
He cannot force you to stay in a marriage that you are unhappy in and if he is physically abusing you then you should look into a restraining order on him to protect yourself. Do some digging in the website that I included the link to above. Your state is listed as California so that is the information I am giving you, please let me know if that is not correct.

You know , I read this and this sounds like a lifetime channel classic saturday afternoon movie.
C'mon you already know what you need to do, you need no advice.
You need to make the ultimate decision, the brave decision....whatever that is for you
I for one if I was you and I was a woman I would leave before it escalates into more serious violence.
Everytime he hits you and you stay...you let him know that his behavior is accetable to you.
His behavior and level of violence will only get worse!
Put your big girl panties on, pack your Sh*t and leave.
Sorry if I come off to strong, but you did ask for opinions and advice!