When it comes to filing a family petition to bring your family member to California, you’re probably willing to sacrifice a lot. But the reality is that the process takes a lot of time and effort—and yes, money. Part of that cost can involve a lawyer, but our team at Maison Law Immigration Lawyers will let you know everything upfront. Reach out today for a confidential consultation to get your questions answered.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost For a Family Petition?
Like anything with a legal component, there’s going to be certain costs to getting help with your Form I-130 family petition. It helps to break that down, including how much our lawyers might cost:
- Filing fee. The main, unavoidable cost is the USCIS filing fee. Right now, that fee is $675, and it’s paid directly to USCIS whether you file online or by mail. It’s also non-refundable, even if the petition doesn’t get approved.
- Documentation. A huge part of the family petition application is documentation. You need certified copies of all the supporting documents you’ll need, like birth certificates, death records, marriage certificates, or adoption paperwork. And the more complicated the family situation is, the more paperwork it might take to back things up.
- Hiring a lawyer. Getting a lawyer depends on how straightforward your situation is and whether there are any prior immigration issues to deal with. A simple petition usually costs less than a case that needs extra explanation or cleanup. But remember, if you try to go on your own, the process can drag out longer and cost you even more money.
- Other subsequent filings. It’s also important to remember that a Form I-130 is usually only the opening step of a longer immigration process. If your family member needs to continually renew a visa or try to get a green card, there’s further applications to take care of.
So, it really comes down to your personal situation. Costs vary from case to case, and not every family petition requires legal help. But again, the more help you have, the smoother the process will be. That saves money in the long run.
How Can Maison Immigration Help My Family Petition Application?
Cost is unfortunately one of the biggest hurdles for a lot of people that want to file a family petition in California. It’s not just the filing fee, although many immigrant families have to struggle just to scrape up the $675. While it’s tough to think about, the best approach is to look at how our team at Maison Law Immigration Lawyers can help you:
- Making things more efficient. From the start, we make sure your application is solid. Limiting mistakes saves time, and ultimately saves you costs as the process moves forward.
- Knowing what’s coming. Another key part of our service is letting you know what the path ahead looks like. That way, you’re not left guessing or waiting around. You’ll know exactly what’s required of you upfront.
- Getting the right documentation. We help you gather and organize the right documents, like marriage certificates or proof of family relationships, which reduces the chances of USCIS asking for more information down the road.
A family petition can mean everything to you and your loved ones in other countries. Our number one goal is to make sure that you and your family members can come together in California. If you want to know more about the process or how we can help, reach out today for a one-on-one consultation.
