Category: Legal

What questions should I ask an immigration lawyer?

Tips to Choosing an Excellent Immigration Lawyer

The US immigration process can be very complicated, confusing and time consuming. Having a good immigration attorney fighting for you can make all the difference to your case. On the flipside, a bad immigration lawyer can fail to deliver the promised services, overcharge you and/or harm your case in a way you might never recover from.

The best way to start the immigration process for you and your family is to research immigration attorneys and law firms. But what benchmarks should you keep in mind as you go through the process of interviewing immigration attorneys/firms?

Take note of these tips as you evaluate which attorney is the best one to help you reach your immigration goals:

1. Get a Referral

Often word-of-mouth is the best way to choose an immigration attorney. Your network of family, friends or colleagues may know other individuals who have dealt with immigration attorneys in order to acquire a green card residency visa or other benefit. You can learn firsthand about the kind of experience the individual had when working with the immigration attorney.

2. Asking for References

After you’ve been referred to a good lawyer, schedule a consultation where the lawyer strategizes his/her plan of action for your individual situation. Be sure to ask for references. A good immigration lawyer should have great online reviews (Google, Yelp, Avvo) and an abundant list of happy former clients willing to recommend the firm’s services. Other possible resources are researching them via the local bar association, the local chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau.

3. Consider More than Just Price

Don’t blindly choose an immigration lawyer based on pricing. Like many things in life, you get what you pay for. There are plenty of sub-par immigration attorneys out there offering reduced pricing versus the competition. Some may be handling too many cases at once and don’t have a proper team to dedicate quality time and personalized service to your case. Others may not have the proper experience in complicated areas of immigration law.

Invest your time in researching the reputations of all the lawyers you evaluate. Don’t be afraid to invest a few thousand dollars on a quality lawyer. It’s not worth the risk of wasted time and having a delayed or rejected process because you want to save money.

4. Hiring a Lawyer Who Speaks Your Language

Choose a lawyer (and a firm) which speaks your language fluently. This improves communication throughout the process and ensures that you and your lawyer are understanding complicated legal nuances.

5. Build a Relationship with your Attorney

A visa is your first step in being able to legally reside in the United States. It may be the first, but likely not the last, time you’re communicating with the USCIS.

It is critical that you build a good relationship with your attorney (and their firm), so that they can serve you in the future when you are ready to take the next step in your process.

Filing for legal papers to live in the United States can be a complex process, but having the right people fighting for you can simplify the ordeal. Utilize these five tips when evaluating the right attorney to expertly handle your unique situation.

What to Ask in a Consult with an Immigration Attorney

• What is your experience with immigration cases like mine? – Immigration law covers a number of different types of cases, from those involving requests for visas and naturalization to others related to deportation or removal from the U.S. Each of these cases can require extensive work, unique processes and potentially even courtroom representation. And having an attorney on your side who understand the process you will be going through – and who knows how to troubleshoot the possible challenges that can arise – will be essential to obtaining the best possible outcomes.

• How much of your practice is dedicated to immigration cases? – Just because an attorney practices immigration law does not mean that it is his or her exclusive or primary focus. So be sure to ask about other practice areas a lawyer has so that you can better understand whether that lawyer will prioritize your case (or not).

• Will you be overseeing my case through to its resolution? – Or will your case be passed off to another lawyer you don’t know – or worse yet, a non-lawyer associate at the firm? Knowing this upfront can help you figure out whether you should place your case (and trust) in a particular lawyer’s hands.

• What specifically will you do to help me? – Will the lawyer complete and submit all paperwork on your behalf? Will (s)he oversee the other administrative work essential to your case? And will (s)he be available to attend interviews or court hearings with you? Asking about the level of service you can expect with a lawyer is another important step to determining whether that professional is a good choice for you.

• Do you have references or former clients I can talk to? – Whether or not you plan on contacting these references, ask this question anyways, as it can reveal how confident a lawyer is about the services (s)he provides, as well as how happy (s)he has made former clients.

Before setting up an appointment ask:

Do you speak the same language as me?

It’s important to ask if the attorney speaks your native language. If they don’t, ask for an interpreter to help you during your appointment. You want to make sure that you understand everything they say and that you can clearly explain your situation. If you give them the wrong information, it may take longer for the lawyer to start your case, and it could affect the outcome.

What documents and papers do I need to bring?

Attorneys need complete information about your case in order to represent you well. When making your appointment, ask what papers, documents, and identification you’ll need to bring with you. This will make the first meeting less stressful for everyone, and it will help the attorney get started on your case right away.

During the appointment ask: 

How long have you been practicing immigration law?

When you interview for a job, they’ll ask if you have any experience doing that type of work. Since you’re interviewing the attorney, you can ask them the same questions. Ask how long they’ve been practicing immigration law. Attorneys should be happy to share their certificates, diplomas, and license information with you. In fact, many lawyers have them hanging up in their offices. You can also ask them if they’ve ever dealt with a case like yours. Asking questions like these will help you determine how qualified they are to represent you.

What are your fees?

Law firms usually charge by the hour for their services, while some may charge a flat rate for certain cases. Make sure to ask your attorney for an estimate of the cost to represent you. If you have limited funds, check to see if the attorney will allow you to pay in installments.

How will you start working on my case?

Ask your attorney what the next steps are in the legal process. They won’t know exactly how long your case will take, but you can ask them when they think the process will start and end. Your attorney should be confident enough to give you an estimate, but realistic enough to account for delays. Be sure to ask if there’s something you can do to speed up the process and increase your chances of success.

If you plan to be out of the country while your case is being worked on, ask your attorney how they will send updates about your case. While traveling, make sure you’re close to a place that has cell phone or internet service so that you can get calls and emails from your lawyer.

Who will be working on my case?

Attorneys have assistants and paralegals to help them with their cases. Ask your attorney if anyone else will be working the case. If possible, meet with them in person and ask about their experience in cases like yours. Get everyone’s contact information and find out if they want you to communicate with them by email, phone calls, or text message. This will help you get in touch with them quickly and get answers when you have an important question.

Top Questions to Ask An Immigration Attorney

Having questions about payment, timeline, the process of immigration, both for temporary or permanent residence, and so on is perfectly normal!  Immigration can be stressful and confusing.  If you don’t understand something ask! And don’t feel like your questions are a bother to your attorney! You are helping both of you by asking as many questions as possible.

Your attorney should listen to you and your concerns–that is part of their job. Here are a few suggestions for what questions to ask:

• “What sort of experience do you have?”

You can follow up on this question by asking things like, “How long have you been practicing immigration law?” “Have you worked on cases like mine before”?” What sort of experience dealing with government officials and courts do you have?” If you are dealing with US immigration law, you should also ask your attorney if he or she is a member of AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association)

• “What will you do to help me?”

Immigration law is about more than just filling out forms and writing letters.  Find out how your attorney plans work for you, and how you can help them. Ask them what they will do after  your application is filed to ensure that it is processed in a timely manner and to improve your chances of success.

• “What do you need from me?” 

Take an active role in working with your attorney!  Figure out what they need from you and get it to them on time, or even better, well ahead of schedule.  Ask your attorney what sorts of forms or paperwork you might need to bring in and what you can do to make the process go more smoothly, and both of you will be happier for it.

• “What sort of timeline should I expect?”

Immigration can be a complicated and difficult process.  You might not know what to expect or how long things will take.  Your immigration attorney can help you by (a) helping you think about the timeline of the process as a whole and (b) thinking about how long particular steps along the way will take.  This will help you as you make plans and move forward with your immigration.

How Will We Communicate?

It’s very important that you communicate with your lawyer throughout the immigration process. This will help ensure that you don’t miss any important deadlines or appointments.

Ideally, you want to find an immigration lawyer who will be staying in touch with you directly, either through email or phone. If they mention that you’ll be primarily in touch with their legal secretary or paralegal, this is a sign that they may not be able to give your case the full attention it needs.

Do You Have References?

Because there are such high stakes with your immigration case, it’s very important that you hire a lawyer with a good reputation.

The best way to learn about a lawyer’s reputation is to talk to others who have used their services. So, make sure to ask lawyers for references before hiring.

But, keep in mind that lawyers are only going to give you their best references. Therefore, it’s important to also read reviews online. You should also check to see if the lawyer has any complaints filed against them through the Better Business Bureau.

Auto Accidents

What Are Your Rights as an Accident Victim?

Your life has been turned upside-down by someone else’s carelessness and you have rights as the victim! But you may not know what those rights are. We have put together a list of answers to questions that car accident victims frequently ask us, such as… .

Should I Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

I Can’t Work! Now What?

What is the Difference Between Economic Damages and Non-Economic Damages

Do I Need an Attorney?

Immediately After Your Accident: Important Things to Know

I am very sorry that you have been in at a car accident or truck accident. Very few things in life are as disruptive and confusing as vehicle accidents because there are so many things that you need to take care of immediately afterward… in addition to healing from your injuries. I have found that many people make decisions in the hours and days after their car or truck accident that cause irreparable harm to their long-term health or to their ability to secure the funds they need to cover their losses.

Don’t Give the Hospital the Other Driver’s Auto Insurance

Hospitals can’t do anything with the other driver’s insurance information. Worse, when you give them the other driver’s insurance card, they immediately know that there’s going to be a legal case and they may put a lien on your case, meaning they want a cut from your settlement!

Don’t Use Social Media

Imagine this: You’re the victim of an awful car accident. The other driver is clearly at fault and, depending on your injuries and medical needs, you may be owed hundreds of thousands of dollars. But one day, you’re finally having a good day after the accident, and you take a picture of yourself and you post it on Facebook. You were in tremendous back pain the entire hike but felt so proud of yourself that you just had to share the image with your friends. But that single image could mean that you say “bye-bye” to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The other driver’s insurance company will use that post against you. Stay off social media after your accident

Don’t Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company

You need to think of the other driver’s insurance company as an adversary. They are looking to protect their interests and, therefore, they will be looking for ways to get out of their responsibility to cover your costs

THINGS TO NOT DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

Car accidents are terrible experiences and can happen to anyone. However, doing the wrong thing after an accident can make a bad situation even worse. Making the wrong decision after an accident can be the difference between getting the compensation you deserve and having to pay for the damage caused by someone else.

LEAVE THE SCENE

If you are involved in an accident, stop your vehicle. If possible, pull your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid further collisions. You are required to move your vehicle off the road under the same law that requires you to stop after a crash.

NOT CALL 911

Some people assume that 911 only needs to be called if someone has been hurt in the accident. That is not true. You should always call 911 after being involved in an accident.

FORGET TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION

After an accident it is common to feel disoriented and forget what to do. However, you must remember to exchange insurance information, including the name of the insurance company and policy numbers. Accidents are handled through insurance companies. Most people do not have the money to compensate you for the damage done in an accident. However, if you are in an accident with someone who is obeying the law, they will have insurance.

UNDERESTIMATE YOUR INJURIES

It is possible to feel minimal pain after an accident. However, as time passes, and the adrenaline wears off, what were mistakenly thought to be minor injuries, can turn into serious injuries. Because that is true, it is important to seek medical attention after an accident even if you only feel that your injuries are minor. Your doctor can prescribe you medications for your pain, which can help ease the amount of pain you will feel in the days following the accident, when the pain is often at its worse. Also, your doctor can help document your injuries, which will be important for your case.  Common car accident injuries include sprains/strains, broken bones, spine injuries, and brain injuries.

What To Keep In Your Car for Accidents

recommend tucking all of these items in a bag and stashing it in your back seat; the smallest items can even fit in your glove box! Why not the trunk? In a matter of seconds, can you reach the trunk from the inside of your car? Keep items close at hand to assure you can grab them when needed. These things can either save your life, or make the trauma and immediate aftermath of a major car accident a lot easier and safer.

The ResqHammer

What Is It: A small hammer-like object that breaks your windows and windshield. There are numerous reasons you’d need to smash the windows in order to escape your car. A violent car accident could, for example,

render your door useless;

push you into a body of water;

set your car on fire; or

wedge your vehicle between objects.

A Smittybilt Recovery Strap

What Is It: A hardcore tow strap that can help get your car, and you, out of a number of sticky situations. If your vehicle has been pushed off the road — maybe it’s stuck in a ditch, sand, dirt, a shallow body of water or even snow — you’ll need help getting it back on track

Military Grade Poncho Liner Blanket

What Is It: A waterproof, double-lined poncho blanket that traps heat and keeps cold out, invented by the U.S. military during the war. This. Blanket. Will. Save. Lives. You may be a soccer mom or suburban dad, but deep inside you’ll be G.I Jane or Rambo with this wicked amazing blanket/pillow/shelter/hammock/seat cushion/mattress. Still not getting the picture? It’s winter. Your car gets up close and personal with a deer and skids off the road into a tree. You don’t have a cell phone on you, and your kid is crying in the back. It could be hours before help comes, and it’s cold (no, really cold) out. Your Woobie (that’s what they call it) will keep you and your baby warm and comfortable till help comes.

First Aid Kit

What Is It: All your first aid essentials in one handy, portable kit. Do you really need us to tell you why you need one of these things? Just get one. Stick it in the trunk. It’s the right thing to do

CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Experienced Accident Attorney Here For You

Nothing is as jarring to your peace of mind as the sound of your car colliding with someone else’s vehicle, except perhaps the aftermath of the accident itself. When you’ve been in a car accident, a million thoughts may run through your head: the other party was at fault, your car is broken or destroyed entirely, there’s medical bills to contend with now, what steps should you take next? We know your focus is, and should be, on getting your life back in order after an auto accident, which is why our Las Vegas auto accident attorney firm is ready to step up and take care of the rest of the details.

No one wants to be the victim of an automobile accident, but once it happens to you the best thing to do is to fight for what you deserve. If you have been injured in a car accident, you need to protect your health and your rights by getting an accident attorney as soon as possible. Even if your injuries do not seem serious, your condition may not be adequately diagnosed and could grow worse. For instance, you may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, which may not hurt at all directly after the accident, but can grow gradually worse over time without the proper diagnosis and treatment.

We Are Invested

When you work with an experienced car accident lawyer, you have a significantly higher likelihood that you will recover financial compensation from the liable parties and insurance companies for the injuries you have suffered and the property damage that you have sustained because of your accident. Working with an attorney allows you to focus on what is important — making your best possible recovery so that you can get your life back on track after your automobile accident

Injury Law is committed to treating you like family and helping you obtain maximum compensation for your medical needs, lost wages, property damage, and future surgical or rehabilitation needs after a serious automobile accident

No one should have to fight with their insurance company, or with the parties who are responsible for causing the accident, on their own. Insurance companies have piles of resources available to them to fight your claim and will do whatever it takes to save themselves money. It is always best to have a skilled and experienced automobile accident lawyer by your side to help you through this tough legal battle. Injured accident victims deserve to be compensated for their injuries

CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS WHO WORK FOR YOU

Get the Law Firm That Protects Your Rights

Nobody expects to get into a car accident. But when it happens, it can affect your life in many ways. Your accident can affect you physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. Many people aren’t sure what to do next. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you sort things out and recover damages (financial compensation)

There are many different types of car accidents. Each one can leave you with serious injuries. No matter what type of accident you were involved in, we will fight for your rights.

You could be hurt in any type of crash. Car accidents can cause head and neck injuries, back injuries, internal injuries and broken bones. It can take months or even years to recover from an injury sustained in a car accident. Some injuries can cause permanent damage. No matter how you were hurt, you will be faced with medical expenses.

Establishing negligence is an important part of a successful claim. attorneys know how to build a strong case. conduct own investigation into an accident. review all documentation related to the crash-including police reports, medical records and photographs. If there are witnesses, interview them ourselves. may visit the accident scene itself. And if needed, consult with experts, such as accident reconstruction experts.

find evidence of negligence, it shows the insurance company are serious. It shows are determined to get you the compensation you deserve, and won’t settle for less. It also shows them are ready to fight your case in court, if that’s what it takes. When insurance companies see are prepared, they often agree to negotiate, and are able to work out a favorable settlement.