FAQ’s

1. We answer a variety of questions on our YouTube channel at Hanea Law Firm. Please visit our video collection today at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/HaneaLawFirm

You can also visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gwinnettattorney

2. Do you have Free Consultations?

Our office provides a FREE 10 Minutes Phone Evaluation of your case. The receptionist will schedule this phone conversation with the attorney. During the call, the attorney will let you know if she is able to help and what is the next step. If a follow-up consultation is agreed upon between you and the attorney, you have the choice to meet in person or have a more thorough phone consultation after the attorney reviewed your documents. The follow-up consultation is not free.

We are striving to provide the best value for your money and thus, after your follow up consultation, if you decide to hire the attorney in the next 30 days, the cost of the consultation will be included in the total amount of your case.

3. Do I really need to hire an attorney?

When you visit the US Immigration and Citizenship website, the forms seem pretty straightforward and easy to fill out, right? To be honest, once all the information is gathered, they are. But, did you know that each answer has legal consequences?

There are instances when a person can fill out and file the forms themselves successfully. However, if you have the slightest doubt about which status you qualify for, aren’t sure which form(s) to use, or if your application will determine someone else’s life path, we strongly advise you to hire an attorney.

If you mistakenly file the wrong application for an immigration status you could be disqualified from re-filing and may lose benefits for many years or permanently. Even more dangerous, in the case of any non-citizens, filing the wrong application can expose you to deportation procedures regardless of your personal and professional status or the time that you have been living in the United States. And, depending on the circumstances, you may not be able to return.

If you hire our attorney, the package with the application and all supporting documents that are sent on your behalf to USCIS or the appropriate agency will also contain a legal brief, detailing the legal basis of your application as well as all the reasons why the client qualifies for the benefit requested. This legal brief is specially tailored to your case and based on all the documents contained in your application. This will ensure that any official receiving that package will be able to understand in detail your case before even reviewing your documents. The very high percentage of approvals we receive for our clients speak for the efficiency of our methods. Hiring us does make a difference.

4. My friend did their own immigration papers and now they said they’ll help me because my stuff is the same as theirs. Is that okay?

Never assume that your circumstances are “exactly the same” as another person’s circumstances. In our many years of doing this, we have found they are never the same.

5. I have done some things I’d rather no one know about, do I have to tell my attorney?

It is extremely important that you are very open with your attorney. All your communications with the attorney are confidential. If you don’t give your attorney complete information regarding your situation they can’t determine the best plan for your immigration needs. There might be things you’ve experienced that have serious legal consequences that an attorney will know how to handle but only if you tell them about them.

6. How can I afford to pay an attorney?

We understand that effective legal assistance is not cheap. To help in that we often allow for payment to be spread between equal payments. When your case involves a flat fee, you will know that cost upfront. We can usually tell you what it will be over the phone during the Free 10 Minutes Case Evaluation call. Our number is 678-615-8529 (8LAW). Call to schedule your evaluation today.

We have two suggestions for making the cost easier to handle:

We are structuring the payments in a way that will allow you have a payment plan. That way you don’t have to come up with the entire amount upfront.
Although we prefer that you pay with a personal check if possible, you have the option to also pay with a credit card. We accept credit card payments with a 3% surcharge. This allows you to pay us in full so we can start working on your case immediately and then you handle your payments to your credit card company.

USCIS allows for fee waivers of their fees in limited circumstances. We are happy to determine if you are eligible for this based on your individual facts. We cannot waive the fees they charge if your circumstances don’t fall under their waiver requirements nor do we set USCIS’ fees.

7. Why do I need a will, I don’t care what happens to my things once I die.

Without a will your family has no idea of your wishes should you be incapacitated. Having a will can also save your family thousands of dollars and years of court hearings that they are otherwise subject to if you die intestate (without a will) in Georgia.

8. I called another firm and they’re cheaper, will you match their rates?

In short, no. That is fantastic that you are being an informed consumer and finding a firm that works for your budget. We have based our fees on our years of experience and how long it takes us to process each case. We make every effort to provide a valuable service with no hidden costs. We tell you what you will pay, for our flat fee cases, and that is what you will pay. We won’t nickel and dime you for mailing, copying, or phone calls.

You may find a firm that is cheaper and you will definitely find one that is more expensive but we pride ourselves on offering the best customer service so that you feel confident your money is well spent.

9. I have a criminal case, can you help me?

Unfortunately, we cannot assist with your criminal case but we are happy to refer you to excellent attorneys who may be able to help.

10. Do you speak any other languages?

At this time we speak Romanian, English, and French in our office. A Spanish speaking translator is available if you only speak Spanish and are unable to bring your own translator.

We are happy to work with any interpreter that works for you.

11. How long will this take?

If you know you are on a timeline the sooner you start, the better. We cannot guarantee any timelines, especially in immigration cases, because once we send the documents to USCIS it is totally out of our hands. As long as you provide all the information and documentation needed we will complete your forms as quickly as possible.

Our in-office consultations can be from 30 – 60 minutes and when we sign an agreement the initial meeting is about an hour.

12. How much is this going to cost me?

Depending on your type of case we will charge a flat fee or an hourly rate. We require advance payment for all of the matters we handle.

We are always providing our clients with an Attorney-Client Agreement that specifies in detail all the work that needs to be done and all the fees, up front, so that there is no confusion about the cost of your case.

Business matters start at $350 an hour and we require a retainer of $1,000 to start.

Family matters require a Retainer (the average retainer amount is $2,500) and an hourly rate of $350 an hour.

Estate Planning starts at $575 for a Simple Will. We can provide you with a list of services and prices we offer for Estate Planning. You can choose what you need.

13. Be aware of Immigration Scams

Please be aware of “notaries”, “notari” or “notarios” who offer to “help” you with your immigration application. Anyone can be a “notary” in the United States (unlike some of the countries that have a “civil law” system of law), the notary stamp does not require a legal education or degree. Do not put your future in jeopardy by allowing a person without any qualifications to prepare your legal documents. The consequences have been very harsh for a lof people who were victims of such persons. Please read more here: http://www.stopnotariofraud.org/