Questions we hear before the first meeting
If yours isn't here, call and ask.
Do I have to speak English?
No. Your appointment, letters and forms can be in Spanish, and Renato also works in Portuguese. For other languages we can bring in an interpreter, and we'll tell you beforehand if it costs extra.
Can someone come with me?
Yes. Bring a spouse, a parent or a friend. For your privacy we may ask to speak with you alone for part of the meeting.
Will you report me to immigration?
No. What you tell us is confidential, and we can't share it without your permission. We don't report clients or their relatives.
How much is a first meeting?
A set fee for about an hour, quoted when you book. If you hire us, that amount counts toward the fee.
Is the fee a flat fee?
Most cases are quoted as a flat fee in writing, and court cases are priced in stages. Government filing fees are listed separately, and so are costs like translations and medical exams.
What if I can't afford the fee?
Tell us on the first call. We can sometimes arrange payments, and if we can't help, we'll point you to a nonprofit that might.
Which papers should I gather first?
Passports, letters from immigration, court papers and any applications you've filed before. If you don't have something, come anyway.
How do I know someone is a real immigration lawyer?
Ask for the person's name and bar number and look them up with the state bar. Only a lawyer or an accredited representative may advise on immigration; notarios, consultants and visa preparers may not.
Can you guarantee my case?
No, and no lawyer can. We tell you what the law says, what usually matters and how strong we think your case is.
Unsure whether you need a lawyer?
Call and ask. The first call is where we tell you whether we're the right office.