When seeking legal advice from an immigration lawyer, it is critical to ask questions that will allow you to assess their skill, experience, and approach to handling your case. Asking these questions not only helps you understand their qualifications and process but also allows you to get a feel for how communication flows between you, which is key for making you comfortable and confident in their ability to handle your case effectively.
Here are some crucial questions you should ask when looking for an immigration lawyer:
- What Are Your Qualifications and Experience? Ask the immigration lawyer in question about their experience with immigration law. They should be able to provide you with their education, as well as their experience handling cases like yours. While they can’t break confidentiality, the information they can give you should help you determine whether they’re the right lawyer for your needs.
- What Is Your Accessibility? As mentioned, communication is key, which includes accessibility. This means finding a lawyer who has the time to answer your questions and doesn’t mind explaining the intricacies of your case in a way that makes sense. Also, you’ll want to ensure they respond in an appropriate amount of time—realizing they are also handling many other clients—either by email or phone.
- What’s Involved in the Process? In addition to good communication, you’ll want an immigration lawyer who helps you understand what documents are needed for your case, as well as a general timeline of how things will go. It’s important to note that no lawyer can give you a definite timeline, and if they do, they might not be giving you complete transparency. However, they can often provide you with a broad timeline.