Green Card Marriage Lawyer - How to Pick the Right Immigration Lawyer!
Every green card marriage case is unique and filled with its own special quirks and risks. As a result of this, it is important to approach your marriage green card application with a high degree of caution and a thorough understanding of the immigration laws that determine your eligibility and other aspects of your application.
One of the most important decisions you can make at the beginning of this process is choosing the right lawyer to make sure your application is successful. In light of the numerous forms, complex laws governing the process, and various sub-issues involved, it is essential to work with a marriage green card marriage lawyer that is not only highly experienced with the process, but is also an individual you feel comfortable working with.
It can be difficult to make a decision as to which lawyer might be most suitable for you and your spouse in connection with your green card marriage application. The purpose of this article is to give you some tips on a few of the items that you should look for when seeking the services of a marriage green card lawyer.
Admitted to and in Good Standing of a State Bar - Any lawyer you are considering must be admitted to and in good standing with a state bar in the United States. A lawyer who is admitted and in good standing of a state bar can represent a client anywhere in the U.S., even outside of the state he/she is licensed in, since U.S. immigration law is controlled by federal law.
Member of AILA - As Immigration law is highly complex, it is essential for any attorney you're considering to be knowledgeable on immigration law and to keep up with immigration laws and trends. This is almost impossible unless the attorney is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Green Card Marriage Experience - Not all immigration lawyers are well-versed in family based matters, particularly the green card through marriage process. Some immigration lawyers focus exclusively on business based matters. You should discuss with any potential lawyer whether or not he/she is experienced with the green card through marriage process and how much experience he/she has.
Reputation - This is important especially as it might relate to how the local USCIS law office perceives that particular immigration attorney. It's possible that some attorneys may have gotten involved in "questionable" marriage green card cases, in which case they may have an unfavorable reputation with the local USCIS office. This could potentially result in a prejudicial review of your application at the local USCIS office.
Open communication & general comfort level - Make sure that you are comfortable with the prospective marriage green card lawyer. The lawyer should be addressing your preliminary questions and should give you and your spouse a sense of the strength of your case and any potential risks. Also, you should try and get a sense as to what level of communication you will receive from the lawyer throughout the process. Some lawyers provide a high level of communication, while others do not.
Timeliness of application preparation & submission - It is important to get a sense of how long it will take your potential immigration attorney to actually prepare and submit your application. Some attorneys charge very low fees and take on a tremendous number of cases whereas other attorneys charge higher fees, but take on less cases. Discussing this at the outset will you to manage your expectations.
Know who will be preparing your application - Some immigration attorneys employ a team of legal assistants to do the vast majority of the work while other immigration attorneys complete every aspect of the legal work themselves.
Legal fees - Before committing with a lawyer, you should confirm the legal fees involved with the marriage green card process and whether fees are charged on an hourly basis or a flat fee basis. Fees can vary based on the level of service provided and the amount of time the lawyer puts into the application.
To find out more information regarding the green card marriage process, attorney Douglas Lightman, and Lightman Law Firm, please visit the following link: Green Card Marriage Lawyer.
Douglas M. Lightman, Esq. is the principal and founding attorney of Lightman Law Firm LLC, a boutique law firm located in New York City with a focus on U.S. immigration law. A large portion of the firm's practice is focused on family immigration matters, such as the green card marriage process.
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