Q: I am a US citizen with a foreign (Iranian) wife. How necessary is it to use a lawyer to file I-130 and other documents?
Does having a lawyer help our case? The forms seem simple enough but unsure about what to include in the supporting documents (affidavits, financial support, etc. And, generally, if I only need assistance filling forms and filing, how much should that cost?
A: If you are willing to do the leg work yourself, you want "unbundled legal services". This basically means the attorney files forms, answers questions, etc. BUT does not appear in court or at administrative hearings (some attorneys will appear, but charge extra). Many offer flat fees versus hourly charge. Prices vary by lawyers and the amount of help that you are seeking., I would say the low end is around $200 (basic form competition, limited communications, and limited duration of services) and the high end is around $900-$1,000 (forms, questions, problem-solving, compiling the packet, etc.).
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