Lawyer - How much$? Oui or Non?

[karinlove]

Hi everyone,

I'm not too familiar with the whole lawyer thing. I'm wondering if it would be recommended to spend that extra money on a lawyer to have that sense of security that you've filled out the app correctly, to get a second opinion, etc.

For my specific case, my lover is American. He has a stupid, stupid minor gun charge (failure to register.. which is now worrying me,. but i have a different thread for that issue), which would be the only thing in question. We have lots of proof of our relationship.

How much did you pay for a lawyer?
How did you find one?
Was it worth it?

 

[Steph C]

Hi everyone,

I'm not too familiar with the whole lawyer thing. I'm wondering if it would be recommended to spend that extra money on a lawyer to have that sense of security that you've filled out the app correctly, to get a second opinion, etc.

For my specific case, my lover is American. He has a stupid, stupid minor gun charge (failure to register.. which is now worrying me,. but i have a different thread for that issue), which would be the only thing in question. We have lots of proof of our relationship.

How much did you pay for a lawyer?
How did you find one?
Was it worth it?

It's possible that hiring an immigration consultant could be just as effective, and cheaper, then a lawyer in most cases. But if you have to deal with a gun charge then you might need a lawyer.

 

[McDutch]

Unless you have any issues that could "endanger" your application i don't think you need a third party.

What you have to keep in mind is that they can only help you fill in the paperwork correctly. Once you put it in an envelope, their services are done. You will not have a "better case" than anyone who followed the guide and filled it in themselves.

 

[LeisaP]

we hired an immigration consultant for a flat rate of $500. she was very helpful and worth the money. and my husband also had a minor shoplifting charge from 2009 that was finalized with community service.

 

[papirico]

Oui in this case.
I'm sure they do cost $.

 

[gsize]

Immigration consultants will cost you about $3000. - $3500.00 for full service. Some have plans for just review of documents.

Although it might seem like a lot of money, when you look at the bigger picture........it is cheap

Many have done it on their own. Many have done it on their own, and wished they hired a laywer. IF you dont mind dealing with a horrible beauracracy, then do it yourself. Keep in mind....if there are errors,......this will add several months to your timeline. 8)

 

[Rob_TO]

Many have done it on their own. Many have done it on their own, and wished they hired a laywer.

You forgot one... Many have done it with a lawyer/consultant, and wish they had done it on their own!!

The only advice I can give here is shop around and get referrals. Every place you go to visit will promise you they are the best and have a great success rate. There are more than a few stories on this site of applicant's having lawyers/consultants who gave them completely wrong info, or took forever in responding to questions or forwarding correspondence from CIC... and overall actually delayed their processing quite a bit.

If you shop around by phone and simply pick the place that gives you the cheapest price, you could come to regret that choice. Like with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

 

[gsize]

You forgot one... Many have done it with a lawyer/consultant, and wish they had done it on their own!!

The only advice I can give here is shop around and get referrals. Every place you go to visit will promise you they are the best and have a great success rate. There are more than a few stories on this site of applicant's having lawyers/consultants who gave them completely wrong info, or took forever in responding to questions or forwarding correspondence from CIC... and overall actually delayed their processing quite a bit.

If you shop around by phone and simply pick the place that gives you the cheapest price, you could come to regret that choice. Like with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

exactly !

 

[jenny12345]

We did ours on our own and we got Decision made faster than our friend who did it with a lawyer. We passed the application at the same month. He paid 3000$.. It won't speed up the process . However if you don't like reading instruction guides and reading forms, you could get one.

 

[Luckyman]

Immigration consultants will cost you about $3000. - $3500.00 for full service. Some have plans for just review of documents.

Although it might seem like a lot of money, when you look at the bigger picture........it is cheap

Many have done it on their own. Many have done it on their own, and wished they hired a laywer. IF you dont mind dealing with a horrible beauracracy, then do it yourself. Keep in mind....if there are errors,......this will add several months to your timeline. 8)

I disagree, The application process is so easy, and directions are specific....IMHO a lawyer is a biiiig waste of money unless you go to the appeal stage.

It's like step 1......
step 2.....
step 3.....

You even get a document checklist to help, and when it comes to proofs....just think, what would you do to convince a stranger your marriage is genuine?

That's a pretty hefty bill for that!

 

[Luckyman]

You forgot one... Many have done it with a lawyer/consultant, and wish they had done it on their own!!

The only advice I can give here is shop around and get referrals. Every place you go to visit will promise you they are the best and have a great success rate. There are more than a few stories on this site of applicant's having lawyers/consultants who gave them completely wrong info, or took forever in responding to questions or forwarding correspondence from CIC... and overall actually delayed their processing quite a bit.

If you shop around by phone and simply pick the place that gives you the cheapest price, you could come to regret that choice. Like with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

The same time spent shopping around should be spent reading the guides. Then you can be assured you know what the process is, what the requirements are, and what stages and times to expect.

The way I see it, either way, same effort spent, except once spent, you still have to fill in all the forms and provide documents....where you could be ahead of the game right out of the gate!

 

[rebecassss]

You forgot one... Many have done it with a lawyer/consultant, and wish they had done it on their own!!

The only advice I can give here is shop around and get referrals. Every place you go to visit will promise you they are the best and have a great success rate. There are more than a few stories on this site of applicant's having lawyers/consultants who gave them completely wrong info, or took forever in responding to questions or forwarding correspondence from CIC... and overall actually delayed their processing quite a bit.

If you shop around by phone and simply pick the place that gives you the cheapest price, you could come to regret that choice. Like with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

+1

If our case wasn't really simple (I'm from a visa exempt country, first marriage for us both, no kids, no criminal records, no health issues... nothing) I would probably get a lawyer. It really depends on your situation. If you know you have red flags, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to just take the hit and pay for the lawyer. They'll know how to answer certain questions and what proofs to provide to mitigate the circumstances of said red flags.

 

[Korea2Canada]

This site is as good or better than a lawyer IMO.