How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Charge
When you’re choosing an immigration lawyer, you’re likely to be concerned with how much representation will cost you; this is a valid question, but you should also remember that immigration law is highly technical and receiving faulty guidance could substantially adversely affect your life and possibly the lives of your family. Accordingly, overall, you want to get the best immigration lawyer you can afford.
That said, you should know that fees will differ depending on a variety of factors, including the following:
- Location
- Complexity of your case
- Number of parties involved (e.g., individual case or one that also concerns family members)
- Lawyer’s experience
- What is included in the lawyer’s services
Prices vary greatly, so you should take advantage of any free consultations that are offered; this way you can ask for a potential fee schedule and price compare. If you can’t get enough free consultations to make an adequate comparison, try to ask around in your area to get an idea of what local immigration lawyers charge; you may even consider contacting the state and/or local bar association.
Many immigration lawyers operate with a payment set-up that involves both an initial retainer fee (the amount depends on your case) and an hourly rate, which usually ranges from $100 and up. When agreeing to a fee schedule, make sure you understand what is and is not included. Immigration forms tend to have application fees, for example, so be sure to figure those into the total amount you will have to pay to bring your case to a conclusion.
Moreover, be sure you understand whether the attorney will make any court appearances with you or whether she will just be helping you prepare paperwork. You may also choose to simply pay a lawyer for an extended consultation and fill out the paperwork on your own.
To handle your case from start to finish, an immigration lawyer may ask anywhere from $2,000 and up, depending on the factors listed above.