DOS AND DON'TS FOR YOUR immigration case

Immigration cases can be long and complex, but there are many ways to make a matter easier and faster, both for yourself, your lawyer, and your file. In this post, I will go over several DOs and DON'TS when it comes to making your matter go as smoothly as possible.

DO

• Give as much relevant information as you can. This includes both speaking with your lawyer and when providing documents. It is always better for your lawyer to have too much instead of too little; as a lawyer I know what will help strengthen a case, and what can (or should) be left out.
• Be open. The lawyer-client relationship is strengthened enormously by confidentiality; this means that any discussion between the two - about specific legal matters they agreed to - must never be disclosed to anyone. This encourages the sharing of information, even if it is of a highly negative, or embarrassing nature, in order. Lawyers are forbidden from sharing it with others except under exceptional circumstances. If a lawyer is to be an effective representative, they must know everything that the client does about the issues.
• Be aware of fees. You and your lawyer will, in a contract signed by both of you (called a Retainer), agree to a fee schedule, including amount of payment, time to pay, and other terms, such as interest and taxes. In immigration matters, I have a block fee, rather than an hourly rate; this ensures that you know how much you will have to pay for ahead of time, especially if there are multiple steps in the process, with varying levels of complexity and time required at each step.
• Update your lawyer on new developments; depending on the immigration program, there are many critical things that could alter eligibility positively or negatively. Major life developments, such as marriage, a new job, or graduation can have implications for your case, and keeping your lawyer informed will ensure that you are given the best possible advice. I will let you know what the important ones are in your case.

DONT

• Contact your lawyer unnecessarily. As much as possible, keep communication about non-legal issues to a minimum; this includes both electronic and phone communication.
• Avoid responding to inquiries from your lawyer. I never contact a client without good reason relating to their case; a lack of timely response to an emailed question or a phone call can have negative effects, whether missing a deadline or being unable to clarify an important point for an application. If you change your contact information, let me know of the effective date and the new details.
• Be afraid to ask me questions. The earlier an open discussion begins, the faster any problems can be solved, or avoided entirely.

All of the above apply to any type of legal issue you have, not just immigration. Keeping these points in mind will help me be better able to help you!