MARLENA said:
Boxen,
You don't need a lawyer unless you case is very complicated.
Don't waste you money if you don't have too.
Good luck!!!
I have to concur with Marlena. It's a huge amount of money to have a lawyer do your case. If you are careful, due diligent and do well-organize your file, you should be more than fine to do it on your own [many have done it].
I had a less than traditional (and somewhat complicated) case, yet we were approved very quickly - in 133 days from start of processing, without interview and without incident [alhumdulelah]. You just need to read through all things well, take your time and be clear.
Now if you have an overly complicated case you might need to consider. But a lot of good information and advice is in this site.
Good luck to you and your partner.