Elvira

My husband's I-140 has just been approved. (Hurray!)

Is it necessary or advisable to engage a lawyer to help file the I-485?

If so, how much is this likely to cost? (We made enquiries, but the lawyer was unable to quote a figure off the top of her head. However, she said that it could be paid in 3 installments, which sounds somewhat ominous...)

Any additional advice regarding this process, eg things to watch out for etc, would be gratefully received!

Bob

www.aila.org to find solicitors int he field

As for doing the AOS, shouldn't be a problem doing them your selves if it's a simple case, with no over stays, criminal convictions, then it really isn't very hard to do.

If you just want the comfort of someone else to do it for you, or if you move around a lot, then fair enough, do a quick search through the forums, you'll probably find quite a bit, especially in the marriage based section.

Lucy

"Bob" <member27413@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...

    > > My husband's I-140 has just been approved. (Hurray!)

    > If you just want the comfort of someone else to do it for you, or if you
    > move around a lot, then fair enough, do a quick search through the
    > forums, you'll probably find quite a bit, especially in the marriage
    > based section.

I-140 would imply the application is employment-based, not marriage-based. I
think most people would use a lawyer for employment-based AOS.

Lucy

Bob

I-485 AOS was what grabbed my attention *l*

Elvira

[I-140 would imply the application is employment-based, not marriage-based. I
think most people would use a lawyer for employment-based AOS.

Lucy[/QUOTE]

Yes it is employment-based. Would you mind explaining why a lawyer is necessary or advisable for AOS?

Anybody else who can relate any experiences with/without lawyer?

Thank you!

Bob

greencards that are employment based are sponsored by the employer, so they normally have a solicitor do it...

Joe Feise

Bob wrote on 2/17/2005 14:22:
    >>[I-140 would imply the application is employment-based, not marriage-
    >>based. I
    >>think most people would use a lawyer for employment-based AOS.
    >>Lucy[/QUOTE]
    >>Yes it is employment-based. Would you mind explaining why a lawyer is
    >>necessary or advisable for AOS?
    >>Anybody else who can relate any experiences with/without lawyer?
    >>Thank you!
    >
    >
    > greencards that are employment based are sponsored by the employer, so
    > they normally have a solicitor do it...

That depends. Some employers pay for the lawyer, some don't.
In any case, the I-485 is the employee's application, not the employer's.

-Joe

Elvira

[[q2That depends. Some employers pay for the lawyer, some don't.
In any case, the I-485 is the employee's application, not the employer's.

-Joe[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately we would have to pay for this out of pocket so not keen unless necessary or at least advisable...

Joe Feise

DonnaElvira wrote on 02/17/05 17:50:

    > Unfortunately we would have to pay for this out of pocket so not keen
    > unless necessary or at least advisable...

It is thecnically not necessary, but unless you already know the
ins-and-outs, it is advisable to have a lawyer prepare the application.
There are always changes in the procedures, and it is a lawyer's job to
know about them. Unfortunately, there are quite a lot of clueless
lawyers around, so be sure to check out several lawyers (they often have
a cheap or free initial consultation.) I got burned by that once, and
then decided to learn about this stuff...

-Joe

Elvira

Thanks everyone. I'm planning to look at all the forms over the weekend. No doubt I'll have some questions later.