Lawyer or no lawyer?

[Erwin Rommel]

Hi all,
I am new here... got married to an american lady last week, will start process now..
Question: is lawyer really needed? I mean, what is the difference? I can fill up all the paperwork myself - what is an advantage? Do they do any good, I believe i can get more information here in forums than from some lawyer
Also, what i haven worked on papers (for a period of time), and my tax forms are missing? Can I request copy from IRS?
Anyway... she lives in CA, I am in NY, we have to move in together and show same bills, addrress, etc.. How soon can I start filing paperwork? Many questions, I know, but I am totaly green in this matter, cheers

 

[ananga73]

No you do not need a lawyer.

The difference is that this is what an immigration lawyer does for a living.

Yes, sometimes using lawyers are of some benefit.

Yes you can request copies of your tax transcripts from IRS.

You can start filing paperwork today if you want, I would not recommend it though until you have documented evidence to prove bonafides of your marriage else USCIS will assume yours is a a SHAM marriage.

SHAM MARRIAGE: A sham marriage has been defined by the BIA as a marriage which may comply with all the formal requirements of the law but which the parties entered into with no intent, or "good faith", to live together and which is designed solely to circumvent the immigrations laws. Sham marriages are not recognized for immigration purposes.

http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-3481/0-0-0-4484.html

Cheers.

Hi all,
I am new here... got married to an american lady last week, will start process now..
Question: is lawyer really needed? I mean, what is the difference? I can fill up all the paperwork myself - what is an advantage? Do they do any good, I believe i can get more information here in forums than from some lawyer
Also, what i haven worked on papers (for a period of time), and my tax forms are missing? Can I request copy from IRS?
Anyway... she lives in CA, I am in NY, we have to move in together and show same bills, addrress, etc.. How soon can I start filing paperwork? Many questions, I know, but I am totaly green in this matter, cheers