FAQ

Some immigration lawyers charge fees for their services on a flat or fixed-fee basis while others charge hourly rates. Other immigration attorneys charge a combination of fees depending on the particular circumstances of the case. A flat or fixed-fee agreement requires the client to pay the attorney a set amount of money to represent the client with a particular immigration issue. The benefit of this fee structure is that the client knows the legal costs from the start and can budget accordingly. With an hourly agreement, the client typically pays the attorney a retainer fee to begin work on a case and is charged according to the time spent working on the matter. In some cases, the law firm can provide you with payment financing.

Attorneys legal fees vary depending on the type and complexity of your particular immigration case. Each attorney on this firm understand the financial difficulties associated with immigrant life. For many standard immigration services, Grinberg & Segal charges a "flat fee". For difficult cases where the time involved in handling the case will vary, we charge an hourly retainer and we offer payment installment plan. Our law firm has years of experience and expertise in immigration law to ensure that your case is handled effectively, efficiently, and professionally. For more information on how Grinberg & Segal can assist you in regards to your immigration matter, please contact our office.

The fees charged by an immigration attorney can vary from case to case. The factors that often determine the appropriate fee include the complexity of the case as well as the attorney's experience and reputation. The more difficult the case, the more time the attorney will have to spend on the case to thoroughly prepare the matter. As such, a higher fee would be involved. The attorney's experience and reputation in the field also impact the fees charged. It is not unreasonable to expect to pay more for an attorney with ten years of experience in the field rather than an attorney with only two years of experience.

Fees are the amount you will pay for the professional services provided by the attorney and his or her staff on your case. In addition to the attorney’s fees for professional services, you will be expected to pay for costs.  Costs typically include any filing fees charged by the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service and courts, as well as other expenses such as postage, overnight delivery, photocopying, long-distance charges, etc.  You should discuss with your attorney what is included in the quoted price as well as an estimate of the other expenses that may be incurred.

Whether you need a Grinberg & Segal lawyer depends upon who you are and your particular circumstances. We do not provide cut-rate service at a cut-rate fee. If you are looking for the cheapest lawyer you can find to represent you, our firm is not for you. However, if you are seeking a law firm with a substantial experience in filing asylum/refugee applications, representing individuals before immigration courts, defense from removal/deportation, filing motions to reopen/reconsider, appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals, petitions before the federal courts (i.e. petitions for reviews, petitions for habeas corpus, writs of mandamus, actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, etc.), permanent residency applications, petitions for victims of domestic violence, representing individuals at interviews before USCIS, waivers of inadmissibility, filing non-immigrant worker petitions, naturalization, and criminal immigration problems, then we strongly encourage you to consider our firm. 

Determining whether you need a lawyer to handle your immigration matter is hard to figure out without being an experienced immigration lawyer.  In general, it is in your best interest to contact an immigration lawyer to discuss your circumstances, and provide you with an estimate on how much it would cost to have the lawyer assist you. However, most lawyers will refer you to a bar association or other nonprofit agency that can assist you for free or for a reduced rate based on your income if you truly cannot afford to retain a lawyer to represent you.

While the Internet is a great resource for information about immigration, relying on information contained in a website or trying to file your own immigration petition can result in serious problems.  It is important to remember each immigration case is different. Filing a poorly-prepared immigration petition can delay or even damage your chance of obtaining immigration benefits. United States immigration law is complex, complicated, and constantly ever changing as the law is derived from a myriad of statutes, federal regulations, and case law. Preparing an application for immigration benefits requires a comprehensive and up to date knowledge of immigration law. It also requires experience to determine how the laws apply for your particular situation.  An immigration attorney has the necessary expertise to ensure that your petition is complete, well-prepared, and well-documented.

You may wish to consider meeting with two or three immigration attorneys to develop a better sense of what fees and costs are reasonable. This will also allow you an opportunity to see how different attorneys would approach your unique situation. While the fees quoted by attorneys often vary, you should be cautious if there appears to a wide discrepancy between the fees quoted. In addition, please keep in mind that while an immigration consultant may seem like a cost effective alternative to hiring an immigration attorney, you should be aware that you could be putting you and your family's future in jeopardy. Please do your homework before selecting and retaining an immigration attorney.