I submitted an I-129F for my fiancée, and she received a K-1 visa. Once she arrived in the US, we married within the specified time frame and filed the I-485 shortly thereafter. Despite responding to an initial Request for Evidence (RFE) which was accepted and the case put back into "processing", the I-485 has been stuck there for seven years. During this time, my wife has received timely Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and travel documents (I-131) from USCIS with no issues.
Just learning about the Writ of Mandamus as a means to expedite the decision, I sought legal help. But the lawyer said I need to file an I-130 for my spouse BEFORE the I-485 as we're already married, which seems contrary to the typical process of going from the I-129F/K-1 visa to the I-485. I've never heard of needing an I-130 in this scenario. Can anyone help, clarify, or suggest next steps? The I-130 application costs over $500, so I want to be sure I really need to do this. But they insist that this is why the I-485 is being held up. Thanks.