Immigration Lawyer

[mapleleaf27]

Doing the Family Class sponsorship with my spouse. I am a Canadian citizen and she is an American.
Does everyone feel that we need to get a lawyer to help us with the paperwork? I feel like the website gives pretty clear details and checklists on the forms needed.
We really don't want to shell out the large amount of dough needed for a lawyer but is it really nescessary? Are we going to forget something? Or fill out a form incorrectly? Is it really that confusing?
And if we do need a lawyer can anyone recommend a good one that won't rip us off and is legit? We live in New York City and will be moving to Toronto if that helps for any recommendations.
Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[just a square]

From what I've seen reading this forum, lawyers tend to cause more trouble than actual help. The process is quite simple and forms aren't hard to fill in correctly. If you have any concerns about particular question/form/document you can ask here and you'll find answers and people who had same situations. They speak from their own experience that lawyer might not have.
The only exception would be if your case has legal issues (criminal record for example).

 

[profiler]

Doing the Family Class sponsorship with my spouse. I am a Canadian citizen and she is an American.
Does everyone feel that we need to get a lawyer to help us with the paperwork? I feel like the website gives pretty clear details and checklists on the forms needed.
We really don't want to shell out the large amount of dough needed for a lawyer but is it really nescessary? Are we going to forget something? Or fill out a form incorrectly? Is it really that confusing?
And if we do need a lawyer can anyone recommend a good one that won't rip us off and is legit? We live in New York City and will be moving to Toronto if that helps for any recommendations.
Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!

I wouldn't bother. We had the initial consult (C$300) to ask any case specific questions. They quoted C$10,000. We filled out and filed the forms ourselves.

 

[Shineon39]

i can give a short answer!! NO you don't need,specially for an american, just fill the form by yourself and follow the guide(quite clear )
I been throught one of the hardest visa office (singapore) without any help from a lawyer. I got everything here on this forum.
Good luck

 

[Omegabyte]

No, you don't need an attorney. It's easy-peasy.

Just read the guides and checklists, and include the forms and/or items requested.

 

[profiler]

I agree with the other two posters. Our case is a little different, as she is from a country which is notoriously hard to get info from (Russia). US and Canadian border and immigration officials have a much easier relationship, so getting info is easy.

Fill out the forms as per the guide, and provide items (as OmegaByte said).

 

[Jaytheo40]

Doing the Family Class sponsorship with my spouse. I am a Canadian citizen and she is an American.
Does everyone feel that we need to get a lawyer to help us with the paperwork? I feel like the website gives pretty clear details and checklists on the forms needed.
We really don't want to shell out the large amount of dough needed for a lawyer but is it really nescessary? Are we going to forget something? Or fill out a form incorrectly? Is it really that confusing?
And if we do need a lawyer can anyone recommend a good one that won't rip us off and is legit? We live in New York City and will be moving to Toronto if that helps for any recommendations.
Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!

Well I think you have your answer. I agree with the others - do the paperwork yourself as it`s not that difficult. Yes, you will feel overwhelmed at times but you`ll get thru it. there is plenty of support on this forum as well.

I`m located in Toronto and applied back in Feb for my wife thru Sao Paulo Vo - you`ll be just fine

all the very best to you - go for it!

John

 

[canadianwoman]

An American and Canadian couple should not need a lawyer. Lawyers should be used if it is a difficult case, with criminal issues, or other serious problems. Someone who has applied already, and was rejected, might want a lawyer as well. In addition, I would advise a lawyer or immigration consultant if the sponsor and applicant do not know English or French well. And if you are really nervous and would feel more comfortable using a lawyer, go ahead - just make sure to get a lawyer who specializes in immigration - the average lawyer is not going to know enough to help.