What Questions Should I Ask My Immigration Lawyer?

There are a lot of Minneapolis immigration lawyers to choose from. How can you find the right attorney for your case? Since your legal needs are unique, you should interview a few lawyers before choosing one to represent you. Try asking these questions during the interview to find an attorney that you trust to represent you.

Before setting up an appointment ask:

Do you speak the same language as me?

It’s important to ask if the attorney speaks your native language. If they don’t, ask for an interpreter to help you during your appointment. You want to make sure that you understand everything they say and that you can clearly explain your situation. If you give them the wrong information, it may take longer for the lawyer to start your case, and it could affect the outcome.

What documents and papers do I need to bring?

Attorneys need complete information about your case in order to represent you well. When making your appointment, ask what papers, documents, and identification you’ll need to bring with you. This will make the first meeting less stressful for everyone, and it will help the attorney get started on your case right away.

During the appointment ask:  

How long have you been practicing immigration law?

When you interview for a job, they’ll ask if you have any experience doing that type of work. Since you’re interviewing the attorney, you can ask them the same questions. Ask how long they’ve been practicing immigration law. Attorneys should be happy to share their certificates, diplomas, and license information with you. In fact, many lawyers have them hanging up in their offices. You can also ask them if they’ve ever dealt with a case like yours. Asking questions like these will help you determine how qualified they are to represent you.

What are your fees?

Law firms usually charge by the hour for their services, while some may charge a flat rate for certain cases. Make sure to ask your attorney for an estimate of the cost to represent you. If you have limited funds, check to see if the attorney will allow you to pay in installments.

How will you start working on my case?

Ask your attorney what the next steps are in the legal process. They won’t know exactly how long your case will take, but you can ask them when they think the process will start and end. Your attorney should be confident enough to give you an estimate, but realistic enough to account for delays. Be sure to ask if there’s something you can do to speed up the process and increase your chances of success.

If you plan to be out of the country while your case is being worked on, ask your attorney how they will send updates about your case. While traveling, make sure you’re close to a place that has cell phone or internet service so that you can get calls and emails from your lawyer.

Who will be working on my case?

Attorneys have assistants and paralegals to help them with their cases. Ask your attorney if anyone else will be working the case. If possible, meet with them in person and ask about their experience in cases like yours. Get everyone’s contact information and find out if they want you to communicate with them by email, phone calls, or text message. This will help you get in touch with them quickly and get answers when you have an important question.

Why should I choose you?

Just like in a job interview, you can ask the attorney why you should choose them over your other options. You can also ask for references to see if other clients liked working with them.

Other questions

These are a few questions you can ask an attorney during your interview. Try to think of other questions specific to your case and add them to this list. If you don’t like how the attorney answers your questions, or if you don’t feel comfortable with them, then find a different lawyer.

Minneapolis Immigration Lawyers You Can Trust

Here at Robichaud, Schroepfer & Correia, P.A. in Minneapolis, we specialize in immigration cases involving citizenship, family petitions, deportation defense, asylum, U Visas, and a variety of other legal services. If you’re in need of assistance, then we can help. We’ll listen closely to your needs, provide personal attention, and do everything in our power to help you with your immigration case. Schedule a free consultation using the form below.