US OR COLOMBIAN LAWYER???

davidfmbca says on Jul 14, 2006, 07:03:

Either one will work since the paper work goes both ways. For anyone who has a complicated or involved Visa process ahead of them here is a good attorney in Bogota for ya.

He speaks pretty good English and is a good guy, honest and he knows his stuff.

Luis E. Riano
Tel: 222-7525
cel: 3124338096

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suipacha says on Jul 14, 2006, 15:02:

I would recommend you get an American attorney. Remember the Immigration law belong to the US and INA (immigration statute) only allows US attorneys to appear in court if $$ is being paid. Don't be fooled, if things get complicated and you have to go to a hearing, your Colombian attorney will not be able to appear if he is not a member of at least one state bar and you will have to get an American attorney anyway. Colombia is a civil law country, without US legal training and atty from there would not know the first thing to do.

"A single sentence will suffice for modern man: he fornicated and read the papers"

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lpdiver says on Jul 14, 2006, 20:28:

Why do you ... Think you will need an attorney? Unless there are complications you can do this. If there are complications $1,800.00 won't even get you started.

If you do get an attorney their work is going to be based in large part on information that you provide anyway.

T

"cook some rice!"

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vladimiro says on Jul 14, 2006, 21:22:

warning about lawyers in general I've dealt with one lawyer in Colombia and several in the US. If you do hire a lawyer I would recommend that you also do all the work you hired them to do in order to verify that the lawyer is doing the work correctly.

I would not hand anything over to a lawyer and trust that they are knowledgable and will do a good job. There are a lot of incompetant, and lazy laywers.

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BVIZ says on Jul 15, 2006, 10:56:

My reason for getting a lawyer is that I want everything done correctly, I don't want to delay the process. I might be able to do it my self, but what if I make a mistake?? I don't want to take the risk to delay things, specially if its my fault

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Crazy4Cali says on Jul 18, 2006, 09:43:

Well, whatever... ...it's not that complicated. If you can do your taxes, you can fill out the paperwork for a visa. More than one person here has saved the money they would have spent on a lawyer and used it for their honeymoon. (a much better use of the money, IMNSHO).

Just do a little research on Visa Journey and ask questions here and you'll get all the help you need. It looks very intimidating at the start, but once you get going, you'll find the hardest part is the waiting and that's something a lawyer cannot help with no matter what they tell you. If you fill out the forms correctly they go in the same processing queue as the forms a lawyer would fill out for you. If you don't fill out the forms correctly, they'll just ask that you send new ones or send a correction.

save your money.

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bradenmiami says on Jul 19, 2006, 15:49:

DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY! It is an easy process to apply for a Visa, and dont let anyone tell you other wise! Only hire an attorney IF you do not get approved, which would probably happen with or without an attorney if it does happen!

I wasted my time and money with one for a K1 years ago and learned my lesson! On www.visajourney.com you will find all you need to know and get a LOT of support from others in the same situation! You will get MORE for FREE that you will by paying an attorney! Not to mention the people on there who will say the same thing, and have ditched their attorneys for all the mistakes they make!

I am in the K3 and CR1 process right now and it is going perfectly smooth.

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

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lpdiver says on Jul 19, 2006, 21:33:

Attorneys make mistakes too... Hopefully they wouldn't but they have...especially if they are not experienced immigrations attorneys with prior experience with the Colombian Embassy.

T

"cook some rice!"

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famsearch says on Jul 19, 2006, 21:50:

we've gone through the entire process, from the i-130 to the ds-230 without a lawyer, without a hitch. only thing left, is the interview, and bring my wife home. besides, why let a lawyer have all the fun?
dan

dan

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BVIZ says on Jul 20, 2006, 14:33:

Thanks, I'll research more and check out the forms, I'm probably going to do it myself!!! I'm heading to Bogota next week and I'm getting married on Aug 5th, what do I need to bring back in order to start the process?? I know that the Marriage Certificate has to be translated and notarized, but what else do I need?? And can I file for K3 visa or do I start w/ the I-130??

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famsearch says on Jul 20, 2006, 16:09:

after you guys are well and truly, irrevocably and legally married, you need to file the 130 first. then, after you get the notice and your case number, then you can file the 129f.
dan

dan

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David in Idaho says on Jul 20, 2006, 16:51:

I'm with you BVIZ, bag the attorney I'm in about the same boat as you, and have spent the last few days participating here and at visajourney (which, yes, you need to acquaint yourself with). I've found great help and cool people at both places, and have recently, based on their advice, decided to take this on without the so-called help of a lawyer.

I hate doing my taxes, but I've certainly never considered paying someone else to do them either. And I don't expect this ordeal to be any more technically challenging. Just a much better reward awaiting the final completion of the process!

Good luck fellow adventurer in the swamp of government beaurocracy,

David

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crazi4cali says on Jul 20, 2006, 17:42:

LISTEN UP BIV... I hired a Colombian attorney (and paid her a pretty penny) and she had my forms totally screwed up! Her mistakes cost me an additional 6 weeks minimum.

She made minor mistakes like putting my wife's first name in the "last name" box and a bunch of other tiny things that make a BIG deal to the people reviewing your papers!

My advice, do it yourself! If you have a 5th grade education and can follow directions (step by step) you can get through it.

If you still don't feel comfortable with doing it yourself... I can do it for the same price as the US attorney! Hell, I'll even give you a 20% discount! = )

My wife just got her K-3 visa and will be here in a week. I know you feel more secure with getting an attorney (been there and also felt that way!) Believe me when I say... save your money, do it yourself and use resources like this website and www.visajourney.com.

Trust me. You can buy me a beer one day with the money you saved!

Crazi4Cali

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David in Idaho says on Jul 20, 2006, 20:51:

I owe you a beer then And one for Bradyvicky too. I promise to have a frosty aguila waiting if I ever meet you in person.

Your post only solidifies my recently made decision.

BVIZ, let's be brave and save some money!

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famsearch says on Jul 20, 2006, 21:16:

just make mine a pilsen, eh?
dan

dan

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David in Idaho says on Jul 20, 2006, 21:26:

A Pilsen it is then Where are living these days, Dan? Seriously, I'd make good on the deal if you're somewhere I end up. I (obviously) live in Idaho (ie BFE) but my fiancé is in Barranquilla, so I'll be going there again and again until I can bring her beautiful self here.

And Crazi4Cali, where are you?

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famsearch says on Jul 20, 2006, 22:39:

minnesota here, almost as bad... lol
dan

dan

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David in Idaho says on Jul 20, 2006, 22:52:

I got stuck in MN on my way home from South America ... ... a month ago. Overnight in Minneapolis. If I'd known ya then, I could've bought you that beer, but I doubt it would be a Pilsen.

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aztec says on Jul 21, 2006, 03:13:

BVIZ "My reason for getting a lawyer is that I want everything done correctly, I don't want to delay the process."

Then by all means do it yourself. My wife and I handled the whole process ourselves. Just remember you are dealing with a bureaucracy and requires great patience.

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bradenmiami says on Jul 31, 2006, 15:15:

I want Corona.... If they dont have it, I'll take (1) Aguila or (2) Club Colombia....

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

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