Prior to retaining an attorney or firm we recommend you research the background of the attorney and firm you are considering hiring. This will allow you to ensure the attorney and firm have a good reputation and experience to appropriately handle your case. You can visit their website, and contact the local State Bar to verify the individual is an attorney and obtain information regarding their status. After you have identified an attorney you are interested in working with, you should request an initial consultation with the attorney. The consultation will allow you an opportunity to meet with the attorney, learn more about the firm, ask questions about the services available, and obtain an estimate of fees and costs you can expect to pay for the case.
You may wish to consider meeting with two or three immigration attorneys to develop a better sense of what fees and costs are reasonable. This will also allow you an opportunity to see how different attorneys would approach your unique situation. While the fees quoted by attorneys often vary, you should be cautious if there appears to a wide discrepancy between the fees quoted. In addition, please keep in mind that while an immigration consultant may seem like a cost effective alternative to hiring an immigration attorney, you should be aware that you could be putting you and your family's future in jeopardy. Please do your homework before selecting and retaining an immigration attorney.
