Be Blunt With Your Immigration Lawyer
An immigration lawyer can be a vital part of the difficult processes of moving to and from other countries for various purposes. Because these processes are often extremely complicated, time-consuming, and often frustrating, many individuals can find it difficult to successfully navigate through them, which is when it becomes necessary to hire professional help.
Of course, doing so means putting your own personal well-being and that of your identity, your future, and your international good name in someone else's hands. If you find the right immigration lawyer, this can be the best possible thing you can do. However, if left in the wrong hands, you can suffer tremendously from any number of possible mistakes that can be made.
To help avoid hiring the wrong attorney and leaving your citizenship and right to travel in jeopardy, it is necessary to be as up front and honest with an attorney as they will need you to be with them. That means not being afraid to ask the right questions before you choose which one to hire.
For starters, that means getting all the answers you can about that person's own legal experiences, education, and approaches to various issues. Ask them where they went to school, where they have practiced professionally and if they work solely as an immigration lawyer or if they dabble in other kinds of law as well. Asking for proof of these answers, in addition to membership and recognition from various law groups and organizations, can be helpful as well.
Ask him or her about their own personal history with cases such as yours. How long have they been handling this type of work? Have they ever seen a specific case like yours? What can they tell you about the system and process that you will be facing?
From there, make sure you are painted a detailed picture of what you can expect from that person. Will they be personally handling the bulk of your caseload, or will other members of their firm be pitching in? How and when will you be billed for the work? Will the agreement be put in writing? What is his or her take on how your process might play out, including your chances for success?
By asking all of these up-front questions before you settle on an immigration lawyer, you will be arming yourself with enough insight and information to allow you to make the best possible decision for you and your family.