Do we really need an immigration lawyer?

[Jalinr93]

My husband is from the states, and has lived in the same house all his life, no criminal record, or nothing that would stop him from being able to immigrate here. I have also lived in the same area all my life with no criminal record and good financial situation to sponsor him here. A relative wants to pay for an immigration lawyer for us, to make sure he gets up here smoothly. But we do not feel we need it as we have researched and think we can gather all the information required. When would it be an advantage to have a layer and when would it be a disadvantage?

 

[KelseyTVS]

I asked the same question here and got a flood of answers saying no, it isn't worth the money. The people on this forum have first hand knowledge and can answer almost any question you have, sometimes better than a lawyer could. There have been plenty of posts from people about where immigration lawyers messed up, gave the wrong advice, delayed applications, etc.

So from what I've learned here, you don't need one, especially with such a straightforward application. But since it's a relative paying and wouldn't be your own money, it's really up to you

 

[Jalex23]

I don't get why people think they need a lawyer.... as well I don't know why people notarize invitation letters... there are so many things that will remain a mistery to me....

 

[draxz1289]

Generally no but it can help if a case is complex and might benefit from a second opinion.

 

[CanadianWifey89]

In short....sounds like you've got a plain vanilla application and that the lawyer would be a waste of money.

I did our application submitted it ourselves and where i had questions there is a wealth of knowledge on the website and this forum.

 

[Evadyrrehs]

From the info provided in your opening post I'd say no.. You and yours sound like a straight forward slam dunk case.. If you have the time and patience along with the know how of this forum, it's not as daunting at all as it may feel at this point in time.

Have lot's of paper and ink for your printer lol, then start by printing off the guides.. It's so much easier having them before you in tangible form than by gazing at a computer screen. Read through them carefully and just take one step at a time Outland is the way to go rather than Inland btw but you can ask around and see for yourselves etc.

Guide 3900 at 53 pages: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3900ETOC.asp

Guide 3999 at 62 pages: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3999Etoc.asp

Country Specific Instructions at 5 pages: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf

 

[bigredmoose]

Do not hire a lawyer. They will take thousands of your dollars and at best just waste your time. Worst case you will get bad advice that results in years worth of delays or a rejected application.

Even complicated cases I wouldn't trust a lawyer with. The horror stories and stories of complete ignorance on here make me shiver at the thought

Anything you could possibly want to know you can find on here and there is not a thing a lawyer can do to fast track an application.

Avoid like the plague.

 

[gsize]

I have spoken to many people that wished they used a lawyer/consultant.

This site is very useful, however some posts are incorrect.

 

[Ponga]

I have spoken to many people that wished they used a lawyer/consultant.

This site is very useful, however some posts are incorrect.

Fair enough, but there have also been many that wished they had taken the time to do it themselves.

Unless a person has red flags, such as criminality or immigration violations that they're concerned about, they will likely find others that have had very similar cases to get answers from. Those with challenging, or complicated applications could very well benefit from hiring someone.

And...since this website if provided by a law firm, I can't help but wonder if we get the occasional post from one of them...sort of like how Zeus and Hera help Jason (Jason and the Argonauts) when he needs help in his journey. LOL!

 

[screech339]

I don't get why people think they need a lawyer.... as well I don't know why people notarize invitation letters... there are so many things that will remain a mistery to me....

As for invitation letters, it is recommended that they are notarized. This make an invitation letter an legal binding document. Anyone can write up any invitation letter and not abide by it if letter is not notarized.

I had a few people that gotten their TRV declined only because their invitation letters /copies of ID's were not notarized.

 

[canadianwoman]

You have a very straightforward case, from the sounds of it. In addition, the applicant is from the USA - applicants from first world countries do not get the scrutiny others do.
You do not need a lawyer. Even if you hire a lawyer, it is still you who will have to gather all the supporting documents and evidence.
However, if you feel uncertain, there is no harm in hiring a lawyer, or in getting a lawyer to look over the application once you have filled it out, which is a lot cheaper.

 

[bigredmoose]

Ok how 'bout this. If you do hire a lawyer, double check everything they say with the people here.

 

[Evadyrrehs]

Read through the guides and it all should be fairly easy in your cases.. Any of the confusing and not so clear questions on the forms (there are a few lol) just ask here and you'll get help through it.. I had to smile thinking of my wife trying to remember all the addresses she had lived at in the last ten years, as that is one of the sections to a form that they want to know.. You said your husband has lived in the same house his whole life, that should make for an easy peasy part to fill out for him lol compared to others who have moved a lot..

I think if I could do it almost anyone could, but it's up to you guys... Good luck!

 

[mercyofGod]

My husband is from the states, and has lived in the same house all his life, no criminal record, or nothing that would stop him from being able to immigrate here. I have also lived in the same area all my life with no criminal record and good financial situation to sponsor him here. A relative wants to pay for an immigration lawyer for us, to make sure he gets up here smoothly. But we do not feel we need it as we have researched and think we can gather all the information required. When would it be an advantage to have a layer and when would it be a disadvantage?

Well almost all the members here did their app without any lawyer, people on this forum give details more than lawyer and we don't keep any secret behind but lawyer will handle things for you but you will not have idea on what lawyer did or how the lawyer did, therefore you will have no experience in future if someone need your help or assistance on related issue, my advice is that you do it yourself with the help of people in this forum because we are one family and 95% of people here have successful ending except for those that keep many things to themselves or have problem that could affect their app and they refuse to share it on here, make sure you do it to the best of your knowledge and if you are not clear about something, ask questions, God bless.

 

[deweysmith]

I have had two officers on separate occasions say, "I have seen people spend thousands on a lawyer and they still get the application wrong."

Totally unnecessary. The only reason I can see is you can't be bothered to do the forms yourself and have no problem paying someone for it. Since it's someone else paying for it, it really comes down to how lazy you are. Honestly, I would read through all the completed forms if someone did them for me anyway, so I would just end up learning about the process and going through all the forms anyway.

Plenty of people have already said it, but I will add mine as an American who has done all this himself... Don't bother with a lawyer.

One bit of advice: if you haven't done medical already, do it in Canada. It's much cheaper, as long as he will be up in Canada anyway, and there are many doctors here that ONLY process immigration medical exams, so they are much less likely to mess something up.