Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1

[Darkstar]

I'm currently trying to decide if I should do it myself, or use an attorney. I'm very organized and detail oriented, so I feel like I could do this, but since this is so important and there are so many things that can go wrong, I am considering using a attorney.

Are most gentlemen successful when filing petitions on their own? Is there a completed, detailed check-list of items needed to do it yourself? The check-lists on the attorney web sites are nice, but lack details (most likely intended).

Thanks for the help,

Tim.

[Patrick]

... in response to Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1, posted by Darkstar on Jan 20, 2003

As long as you're detail oriented and do it right, I don't think you'd have any problem doing it yourself.  I did my own K1 paper work and found the time spent gathering the needed documentation (which I believe you have to do even if you hire an attorney) was by far the greatest amount of work.  I think the actual paper work time was around 1 hour.  The prices for attornies I found when I was marrying were around $1,500.  I'll take all the work I can get at that hourly rate.

If there's any kids involved, it can get more complicated.

[andre smith]

... in response to Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1, posted by Darkstar on Jan 20, 2003

Its very simple paperwork, if no kids or previous marriages are involve.DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON AN ATTORNEY.The visa services are better than an attorney because that is what they do everyday all day..........

[mudd]

... in response to Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1, posted by Darkstar on Jan 20, 2003

are you kidding, why would you hire a lawyer  to fill out some paperwork for $500 to $2000, when you can do it yorself. if you still dont want to do it, i know of a guy who charges a few hundred bucks to do it, but this is his busy time of the year, he is a tax man, so you need to decide soon. i think i gave his phone # to Chris0822 on the board. e mail him and see if he had any luck with using him.

[Pete E]

... in response to Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1, posted by Darkstar on Jan 20, 2003

If you are very carefull you can PROBABLY take care of the paperwork yourself.Many people have done this with no problem and think it is a piece of cake because they had no problem.Maybe somewhat similar to driving around in the Colombian countryside,not getting robbed or kidnapped and thinking it is therefore safe.
The problem is if you make mistakes it can quickly be more costly and troublesome than if you hired the lawyer.
Two area to watch out for:

1.Children.This was my downfall.I got sent home for more paperwork because the embassy wanted a second set of ORIGINALS,notarised in the US,including original w-2's and 1099's.This held up my wifes visa  2 weeks.I flew to Miami to meet her,not Cali,so the air fare difference was only $350.We spent 4 days in Bogota on our initial trip.We might have gotten by with 2 if we new what we were doing.Cost,about $400 extra for hotel car and food.We stayed in a suite since we had my step son with us.We also sent my step son back to Cali too soon and had to fly him back for his physical.My wife thought her didn't need one.(instuctions in spanish).He didn't need the blood test,did need the physical.cost $200.
But the bigest problem not having a competent US lawyer  we didn't know you need the father's signature EVERY time the kid leaves the country,even when returning for vacations.This cost us 11 days and about $3000 to eventually fix on our first trip back to Colombia.Nobody,not the INS,the embassy,our Colombian lawyer who married us or my travel agent warned us of this.Suprise at the Cali airport,your not going anywhere with this kid.My new travel agent mentioned this in the first miniute of our first conversation.Needless to say the old guy is fired,for many reasons.Ticket seller,not travel agent out of Miami.Some of you use him.

2.Things change over time.We stood in 2 lines at 7.00 AM we didn't need to be in.Recently the 10 day waiting period between the first and second interview at the embassy has become one month plus.Who knows what is next or when.A good lawyer in this field will at least know when it happens.

So if you situation is simple,spousal visa no kids,and you are good at paperwork,you MAY have no problem.
My problems cost 22 days, about $4000.That is unusual I admit,not likely to happen to you.
Should you be inclined to caution vs do it yourself I recommend Gary Bala at usimmigrationattorney.com.I did not use him but he has given me free advice,even called me in Cali when we had the problem with my step son.I think he charges $800.
Question,do you do your own taxes?I don't anymore.I could if I was inclined but I am sure my mistakes alone,not to mention the time involved,pay for my taxpreparer.

Pete

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1, posted by Pete E on Jan 20, 2003

I just noticed you were asking specifically about a K1,not a spousal visa.In case of a mistake in your paperwork I think they just send it back to you.It will cost you time but you are not incuring expenses in Bogota.there might still be something an attorney could help you with,perhaps concerning your fiace's appt in Bogota.

Pete

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1, posted by Pete E on Jan 20, 2003

Gary Bala's web site is usaimmigrationattorney.com

Pete

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1, posted by Darkstar on Jan 20, 2003

I filed twice for K1s without hiring a lawyer.  The first time I made a mistake and it delayed her arrival by about 1 month.  I forgot to include photos of us together.  I think the form did not specifically ask for that, but it is an obivous necessity to prove that you have met in person.  The second K1 went through without a hitch.  

However, the process is very painstaking and if you are not detail-oriented you will probably need help.  I used to be a CPA and am now programming computers so I am accustomed to paying attention to details.  

The amazing part was that my fiancee was able to get all of her papers together with no lawyer.  She did get some advice from a lady that works at an agency, but I thought she would miss something.  She didn't.  My fiancee is not dumb, but she's not from the better-educated side of Cali, if you know what I mean.  That is, her family is dirt poor.

Steve

[Michael B]

... in response to Lawyer vs. Do-it-yourself K1, posted by Darkstar on Jan 20, 2003

[This message has been edited by Michael B]

Well, for what it's worth, I did an AOS from tourist to resident for my X back in 1982 and didn't use a lawyer. I just did this I-129F without a lawyer also. The forms are pretty straight forward and the directions tell you everything to include. To me the hard part was translating her Colombian documents. I certified that I myself was competent to do the translations (BA, major in Spanish and Education, taught Spanish in HS and Jr. college, once worked for the State Department as a bilingual aide), even with that experience, let me tell you, the legal boiler plate in the divorce decree was some pretty rough going. Don't know if your lady is divorced or not or how good your Spanish is, but INS does insist that ALL documents be translated into English by (quoting from their instructions) "I __name__ certify that I am conversant in the English and __language of document__ languages, and that the attached document is an acurate translation of the attached document entiled __name of document__". So if you aren't up to that, you might want to hunt up a certified translator in your neck of the woods. The Colombian Counsolate office in Houston (phone 713-527-8919) can maybe recomend one, or you can make friends with a college Spanish professor. Best to you and the lady.

Michael

P.S. If you DO decide to use a lawyer, I know a couple of guys who used Bala and they said they would recomend him.