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?