Peggy

Hi, thank u all once again for all the comforting words on my last topic. I have gone on to investigate getting an attorney so that I can have further assurance that our paperwork is handled efficiently (I know it would be cheaper to do it myself but an attorney would put my mind at ease). Anyway, I found an attorney in manhattan. He charges $2500 but since it was a referral or ad I got a 10% discount so that brought it down to $1500. He said that he has a turn around time so far of 4 months. This means that the couple files papers, gets employment authorization (etc), interview and greencard all within a 4 month period. He said that since he does this a lot, immigration officials know that his applications are usually airtight and without error and this speeds up the process.

DOES THIS SOUND TO GOOD TO BE TRUE????????? ANY NEW YORKERS WHO HAVE USED AN ATTORNEY OR HAVE EVEN FILED THEMSELVES- WHAT IS THE TURN AROUND TIME?? I HAVE READ THAT ITS UP TO 2 YEARS IN NEW YORK.

Just having the work authorization would help greatly at this point so Im willing to wait it out if need be for the PR but 4 months sounds real good lol.

(sorry if this is already a thread. I searched the best i could before posting it) Thanks in advance.

Noorah101

> Hi, thank u all once again for all the comforting words on my last
> topic. I have gone on to investigate getting an attorney so that I can
> have further assurance that our paperwork is handled efficiently (I
> know it would be cheaper to do it myself but an attorney would put my
> mind at ease). Anyway, I found an attorney in manhattan. He charges
> $2500 but since it was a referral or ad I got a 10% discount so that
> brought it down to $1500. He said that he has a turn around time so
> far of 4 months. This means that the couple files papers, gets
> employment authorization (etc), interview and greencard all within a 4
> month period. He said that since he does this a lot, immigration
> officials know that his applications are usually airtight and without
> error and this speeds up the process.
>
> DOES THIS SOUND TO GOOD TO BE TRUE????????? ANY NEW YORKERS WHO HAVE
> USED AN ATTORNEY OR HAVE EVEN FILED THEMSELVES- WHAT IS THE TURN
> AROUND TIME?? I HAVE READ THAT ITS UP TO 2 YEARS IN NEW YORK.
>
> Just having the work authorization would help greatly at this point so
> Im willing to wait it out if need be for the PR but 4 months sounds
> real good lol.
>
> (sorry if this is already a thread. I searched the best i could before
> posting it) Thanks in advance.
> --
> "To love is not to look at one another but to look together in the
> same direction" .
>
> ---
> posted via:
> http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/

$2,500 with a 10% discount would be $2,250.....not $1,500.


Although an attorney can indeed make sure the paperwork is all in order
with no errors, he CANNOT speed up the process in any way. Once it's
out of his office and over at USCIS, it's out of his control.


It used to be as long as 2 years in NY. Lately it's been faster, but
there is NO guarantee of 4 months, even with a lawyer.

He might have seen other cases be processed in 4 months. He might have
been their lawyer. But that has no bearing on YOUR particular case. No
2 cases are alike. He cannot promise you that YOURS will be processed
in 4 months, guaranteed. All he can do is give you an estimated
processing time and hope for the best. But he cannot control how long
it really takes USCIS to process your case. He cannot control how long
security checks take.

If you feel more comfortable using a laywer to file the paperwork (and
yes, there are advantages to it...a stable mailing address, for one), by
all means go for it. But don't get your hopes up that your case will be
processed in 4 months, no matter what your lawyer says.

Best Wishes,
Rene
p.s. - In 2003, my lawyer estimated my fiance's K1 visa would take 4 to
6 months total. It ended up taking 14 months.

Lpdiver

> Hi, thank u all once again for all the comforting words on my last
> topic. I have gone on to investigate getting an attorney so that I can
> have further assurance that our paperwork is handled efficiently (I
> know it would be cheaper to do it myself but an attorney would put my
> mind at ease). Anyway, I found an attorney in manhattan. He charges
> $2500 but since it was a referral or ad I got a 10% discount so that
> brought it down to $1500. He said that he has a turn around time so
> far of 4 months. This means that the couple files papers, gets
> employment authorization (etc), interview and greencard all within a 4
> month period. He said that since he does this a lot, immigration
> officials know that his applications are usually airtight and without
> error and this speeds up the process.
>
> DOES THIS SOUND TO GOOD TO BE TRUE????????? ANY NEW YORKERS WHO HAVE
> USED AN ATTORNEY OR HAVE EVEN FILED THEMSELVES- WHAT IS THE TURN
> AROUND TIME?? I HAVE READ THAT ITS UP TO 2 YEARS IN NEW YORK.
>
> Just having the work authorization would help greatly at this point so
> Im willing to wait it out if need be for the PR but 4 months sounds
> real good lol.
>
> (sorry if this is already a thread. I searched the best i could before
> posting it) Thanks in advance.
> --
> "To love is not to look at one another but to look together in the
> same direction" .
>
> ---
> posted via:
> http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/

And if you don't receive the greencard in four months how will he
compensate you? In my small world a promise equates to a guarantee. Ask
him how much refund he is willing to grant you for everyday past four
months on the receipt of your GC. Then you will see how much of a
guarantee you truly have.

Then on the other hand I believe you are twisting and misinterpreting
his words (not intentionally of course) so that you are hearing what you
want to hear. The general dialog is plausable.

I don't believe for one instant that his cases are scrutinized to
any lesser amount due to his being an attorney or his excellent
track record.

Remember this attorney is also a salesman and he isn't going to make
as many sales with gloom and doom. Ask how long his longest case took
(and why).

Personally I would avoid the deal if he did in fact "guarantee" this
time frame. To guarantee it he would have to be in cahoots with someone
on the inside of CIS. CIS is much to morphic in nature to guarantee any
thing except change.

Good luck,

t

Capt. Tuttle

peggy wrote:
> Hi, thank u all once again for all the comforting words on my last topic. I have gone on to investigate getting an attorney so that I can have further assurance that our paperwork is handled efficiently (I know it would be cheaper to do it myself but an attorney would put my mind at ease). Anyway, I found an attorney in manhattan. He charges $2500 but since it was a referral or ad I got a 10% discount so that brought it down to $1500. He said that he has a turn around time so far of 4 months. This means that the couple files papers, gets employment authorization (etc), interview and greencard all within a 4 month period. He said that since he does this a lot, immigration officials know that his applications are usually airtight and without error and this speeds up the process.
>
> DOES THIS SOUND TO GOOD TO BE TRUE????????? ANY NEW YORKERS WHO HAVE USED AN ATTORNEY OR HAVE EVEN FILED THEMSELVES- WHAT IS THE TURN AROUND TIME?? I HAVE READ THAT ITS UP TO 2 YEARS IN NEW YORK.
>
> Just having the work authorization would help greatly at this point so Im willing to wait it out if need be for the PR but 4 months sounds real good lol.
>
> (sorry if this is already a thread. I searched the best i could before posting it) Thanks in advance.
> --
> "To love is not to look at one another but to look together in the same direction" .
>
> ---
> posted via:
> http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/

From my experience, messages on this board, and several other reasons I
would think twice about someone who gives you a time line that short.
I'm not saying it isn't possible. I'm saying 4 months seems unlikely to
me. I'm sure others will send their thoughts.

Ian-Mstm

> And if you don't receive the greencard in four months how will he
> compensate you? In my small world a promise equates to a guarantee.
> Ask him how much refund he is willing to grant you for everyday past
> four months on the receipt of your GC. Then you will see how much of a
> guarantee you truly have.
>
> Then on the other hand I believe you are twisting and misinterpreting
> his words (not intentionally of course) so that you are hearing what
> you want to hear. The general dialog is plausable.
>
> I don't believe for one instant that his cases are scrutinized to
> any lesser amount due to his being an attorney or his excellent
> track record.
>
> Remember this attorney is also a salesman and he isn't going to make
> as many sales with gloom and doom. Ask how long his longest case took
> (and why).
>
> Personally I would avoid the deal if he did in fact "guarantee" this
> time frame. To guarantee it he would have to be in cahoots with
> someone on the inside of CIS. CIS is much to morphic in nature to
> guarantee any thing except change.
>
> Good luck,
>
> t

Excellent response! Kudos!

Ian

Peggy

Hey everyone, the attorney said that all of his cases so far when marriage based have been 4 months. Either way, 1500 to file the papers (plus cost of fees)and my peace of mind seem worth it to me.

I just wanted to know how long other people's cases have taken when using a lawyer in new york. I know no 2 cases are a like but I wanted to get an idea.

Thanks

Lpdiver

> Hey everyone, the attorney said that all of his cases so far when
> marriage based have been 4 months. Either way, 1500 to file the papers
> (plus cost of fees)and my peace of mind seem worth it to me.
>
> I just wanted to know how long other people's cases have taken when
> using a lawyer in new york. I know no 2 cases are a like but I wanted
> to get an idea.
>
> Thanks
> --
> "To love is not to look at one another but to look together in the
> same direction" .
>
> ---
> posted via:
> http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/

Sounds like you mind is settled. Good Luck.

t

FlyergirlUK

> Hey everyone, the attorney said that all of his cases so far when
> marriage based have been 4 months. Either way, 1500 to file the papers
> (plus cost of fees)and my peace of mind seem worth it to me.
>
> I just wanted to know how long other people's cases have taken when
> using a lawyer in new york. I know no 2 cases are a like but I wanted
> to get an idea.
>
> Thanks
> --
> "To love is not to look at one another but to look together in the
> same direction" .
>
> ---
> posted via:
> http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/

I used an attorney in NY for my AOS and it took 4 months total but, and
this is important, I went through the Baltimore DO and the system was
totally different back then.

Your mileage will most definitely vary, there's no doubt about it.

Hcj1440

> Hey everyone, the attorney said that all of his cases so far when
> marriage based have been 4 months. Either way, 1500 to file the papers
> (plus cost of fees)and my peace of mind seem worth it to me.
>
> I just wanted to know how long other people's cases have taken when
> using a lawyer in new york. I know no 2 cases are a like but I wanted
> to get an idea.
>
> Thanks
> --
> "To love is not to look at one another but to look together in the
> same direction" .
>
> ---
> posted via:
> http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/

I'm still kind of curious how 10% off $2500 equals $1500.

Buyer beware. Fee sounds unusually low for NYC.

Jenney & Mark

> And if you don't receive the greencard in four months how will he
> compensate you? In my small world a promise equates to a guarantee.
> Ask him how much refund he is willing to grant you for everyday past
> four months on the receipt of your GC. Then you will see how much of a
> guarantee you truly have.
>
> Then on the other hand I believe you are twisting and misinterpreting
> his words (not intentionally of course) so that you are hearing what
> you want to hear. The general dialog is plausable.
>
> I don't believe for one instant that his cases are scrutinized to
> any lesser amount due to his being an attorney or his excellent
> track record.
>
> Remember this attorney is also a salesman and he isn't going to make
> as many sales with gloom and doom. Ask how long his longest case took
> (and why).
>
> Personally I would avoid the deal if he did in fact "guarantee" this
> time frame. To guarantee it he would have to be in cahoots with
> someone on the inside of CIS. CIS is much to morphic in nature to
> guarantee any thing except change.
>
> Good luck,
>
> t

A wonderful post. Ultimately it doesn't matter what kinds of processing
timelines people filing through NYC with a lawyer have seen. There could
be 100 people whose applications are processed in four months, and then
the 101st application takes six months, or a year -- or three months.
There's just no way of knowing.

However, if the attorney is confident enough to guarantee a processing
time of four months, the attorney should have a policy on refunding part
of his fee if it takes longer than four months. You know -- like
personal injury lawyers who only get paid if they win the case. If this
attorney doesn't have such a policy, then the OP will have her answer.

I'd just like to reiterate what Rene said, that $2500 minus 10% is
$2250. If the attorney says his discounted fee is $1500, then that's a
40% discount, not a 10% discount. Quite a difference. If the attorney
quoted her the $1500 discounted fee, then that shows a lack of
elementary math skills and would raise my suspicions about his overall
abilities, his overall fee plan, or both.

~ Jenney