*~*Does a lawyer REALLY make a difference?*~*

[Reynatejana]

other postings: ~Husband turn around at border........

I have been doing a bit of reading here and there. I have wondered can a Lawyer cut down the process time of approval? I basically know now what we need to do in order to get started. FILE the I-130 as many say. Fine it is done. File the I-601, fine it is done. Now the hardest part in this all is the waiting time. Lawyer or no Lawyer the wait is the same, right?

[Reynatejana]

other postings: ~Husband turn around at border........

I have been doing a bit of reading here and there. I have wondered can a Lawyer cut down the process time of approval? I basically know now what we need to do in order to get started. FILE the I-130 as many say. Fine it is done. File the I-601, fine it is done. Now the hardest part in this all is the waiting time. Lawyer or no Lawyer the wait is the same, right?

[NYCImmParalegal]

A lawyer will not speed up the process at all. Everyone gets processed by the same guidelines. However, a good lawyer (and not all lawyers are good) can help with a very complex case and can anticipate any issues that may arise. S/he can also advise you of what to do next. For some cases, I would not want to do anything without a lawyer. For others (say, a simple no-frills N-400 naturalization) I probably would handle it myself.

[Adam]

Do you work independently or with a law firm?

[Spouse]

A lawyer does not benefit you as far as processing goes. The only benefit is their knowledge.

But if you end up with a lawyer that is not VERY versed in I-601 waivers they can end up delaying or causing problems for your process.

I would recommend working with a lawyer to some extent (let's face it they are trained in the law).. but the more involved you are the cheaper it is and the more likely that you will have a final product that you are happy with!!!

[Reynatejana]

Thanks spouse, you are so helpful.

[Michael]

No a lawyer does not help you and the appearance of a lawyer makes you look guilty. All lawyers are drunks, drug users or deviants. They will just take your money to do a worse job than what you can do.

[Adam]

One of my friend who had worked at the Embassy for 26 years in the visa section, while he was in Foreign Country his kids hier the Lawyer and he changed them $3500.00 This lawyer has been in his field for more the ten years plus.
What he did he only file I-485 for one child and I-130 for two others. Which is still pending approval since 2000.
My friend went to talk to him he dosent want to talk to the father, because he had more knowleged then the lawyer, he was telling him what he should have done.
I some what aggree with Michael.