I am a resident of CT. I sponsored my husband from pakistan on fiance visa about 5 years ago, and hired a lawer to help us. Our situation is a little unique, so allow me to explain. It was an arranged marriage, and we were married on paper only 7 or so years ago. i had already sponsored him at the time, but we were sent a notice that our marriage was no longer recognized, i had to prove our marriage was real. My family and I felt we were over our heads so we hired a lawyer. We explained everything to her. I had already planned to go to pakistan for an official cermony at the time. She promised us that she would take care of everything. the specifics were that she would withdraw the case, sponsor him on basis of fiance, get us married officially once he is in the US, and apply for his green card, in that order. She even signed a contract stating all this. We were supposed to pay most of her fee beforehand, and the rest she would get after everything was done. We weren't well off to began with, so I and my sisters sacrificed a lot to pay for her fees. It was very hard on us, because we were dealing with two weddings (my sister and I were getting married together) AND coming up with money for her fees. She knew I was going to pakistan to get married, but she suggested we hide the fact that we're married, and sponsor him as my fiance.
Anyway, that done, she withdrew my case officially, and that was the only thing she did. i came back from pakistan so we could work on the case. she didn't do anything but give me stress. the paperwork that she was supposed to file had unnecessary delay. we were supposed to send the paperwork to pakistan so my husband could fill out his part. would you believe, it took her almost 2 years to do that!!?? I made frequent calls and trips to her office, asking if she had mailed it, but she kept telling me, tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow. At one point, I told her that my in-laws were asking what was taking so long, why hadn't they still received it (my husband stopped by the post office everyday to see if it had come in), and she told my that to lie to them and tell them it had been mailed, and they would mail it out tomorrow. still didn't mail it after a week. I even offered to mail it myself, but she said she'd take care of it. i was under so much stress that i couldn't sleep, i had to go on anti-anxiety medication. the stress she gave me affected my attitude, my job, everything. i felt like she was holding my paperwork hostage. i finally had my older brother go to her office and get the paperwork, and he was able to get it. When i finally did get the paperwork, there were numerous mistakes. we had to redo everything ourselves, and instead of giving it to her to submit, we did it ourselves. Once we took over, my husband was here in a very short time. Once my husband was here, we did everything that she was supposed to handle, ourselves. Of course we didn't give her the remainder of the fee, and neither did she ask for it... i think she knew what a wonderful job she did.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that she was supposed to handle not only my case, but my sister's as well, since her husband was in pakistan too. She didn't do ONE thing for their case, yet we paid her for that too. In fact, my husband and I handled everything for them, sponsored them, got them married, and got him a green card. She was supposed to do all that as well, but she didn't do anything. Now my issue is this: since she didn't live up to her contract, i want a refund. not only did she fail to do her job, she caused me emotional stress, she almost gave me an ulcer. before i do anything, i need to know if i have a case, and what are my chances of winning? what kind of a lawyer should i see? i'm not greedy, i just want the money back. My husband has his permanent green card now, so would the case affect his status in any way? It has been three years, it isn't too late, is it? thanks in advance.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Anyway, that done, she withdrew my case officially, and that was the only thing she did. i came back from pakistan so we could work on the case. she didn't do anything but give me stress. the paperwork that she was supposed to file had unnecessary delay. we were supposed to send the paperwork to pakistan so my husband could fill out his part. would you believe, it took her almost 2 years to do that!!?? I made frequent calls and trips to her office, asking if she had mailed it, but she kept telling me, tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow. At one point, I told her that my in-laws were asking what was taking so long, why hadn't they still received it (my husband stopped by the post office everyday to see if it had come in), and she told my that to lie to them and tell them it had been mailed, and they would mail it out tomorrow. still didn't mail it after a week. I even offered to mail it myself, but she said she'd take care of it. i was under so much stress that i couldn't sleep, i had to go on anti-anxiety medication. the stress she gave me affected my attitude, my job, everything. i felt like she was holding my paperwork hostage. i finally had my older brother go to her office and get the paperwork, and he was able to get it. When i finally did get the paperwork, there were numerous mistakes. we had to redo everything ourselves, and instead of giving it to her to submit, we did it ourselves. Once we took over, my husband was here in a very short time. Once my husband was here, we did everything that she was supposed to handle, ourselves. Of course we didn't give her the remainder of the fee, and neither did she ask for it... i think she knew what a wonderful job she did.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that she was supposed to handle not only my case, but my sister's as well, since her husband was in pakistan too. She didn't do ONE thing for their case, yet we paid her for that too. In fact, my husband and I handled everything for them, sponsored them, got them married, and got him a green card. She was supposed to do all that as well, but she didn't do anything. Now my issue is this: since she didn't live up to her contract, i want a refund. not only did she fail to do her job, she caused me emotional stress, she almost gave me an ulcer. before i do anything, i need to know if i have a case, and what are my chances of winning? what kind of a lawyer should i see? i'm not greedy, i just want the money back. My husband has his permanent green card now, so would the case affect his status in any way? It has been three years, it isn't too late, is it? thanks in advance.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?