💼 Legal Consultations: What You Need to Know Before Booking
Booking a legal consultation is the first and most important step in evaluating your case. Whether we meet by Zoom, phone, or in person, this session allows us to:
- Gather the key facts of your situation
- Explore possible immigration options
- Recommend the best legal path forward (if any)
Think of this as an investment in your future. Even if no further steps are taken, you’ll leave the consultation with reliable, informed, and often actionable legal advice.
🎓 What You’re Paying For
When you book a consultation, you are paying for:
- Professional legal advice based on years of experience
- Guidance shaped by real-life case results
- Up-to-date knowledge of immigration laws and procedures
I’ve invested considerable time, effort, and money to gain the education, training, and legal insights necessary to give you an informed opinion.
💵 Consultation Fees
| Type | Fee | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Phone Consultation | $250 | 30–45 minutes | Telephonic |
| In-Person or Zoom-/Google Meet Consultation (St. Petersburg, FL) | $350 | 60–90 minutes | Office Visit / Zoom / Google Meet |
| Email Consultation (includes follow-up emails) | $150 | — | Email only |
📌 Note: Please do not send documents unless I specifically request them.
📅 Scheduling and Payment
- Payment is required in advance to confirm your appointment.
- You will receive an official confirmation only after your fee is received and we confirm a date and time.
- If payment is not made, your time slot will not be held, and the consultation will not take place.
🧭 What a Consultation Includes
During your session, we will:
- Review your background and immigration history
- Identify legal options available to you (if any)
- Assess the likelihood of success
- Recommend the best course of action and possible alternatives
- Provide a case-specific fee quote
- Decide whether I am able and willing to take your case
❌ What a Consultation Does Not Include
A consultation is not intended to:
- Teach you how to self-file or do the case on your own
- Review or “proofread” your DIY petition or waiver packet
- Give you a legal strategy or checklist for filing your own case
- Provide “how-to” instructions if you’re not seeking legal representation
If your main goal is to get DIY advice to file on your own, this consultation is not the right service for you. The fee will not be refunded in that case.
📝 Required Intake Form
Your consultation will be based on the Intake Form you complete before the session.
⚠️ Honesty and accuracy are essential. Mistakes or omissions can negatively affect the outcome of your case. The same form is used throughout your case if I am retained, so it’s important that the information is correct from the start.
⏰ Missed Appointments and Lateness
- If you are more than 15 minutes late, your appointment will be considered missed.
- Consultation fees are non-refundable for missed or late appointments, regardless of the reason.
🔍 What You Must Disclose During the Consultation
You must inform me of:
- All U.S. entries and exits with month/year and method of entry
- Any arrests or charges, even without a conviction, anywhere in the world
- All current and previous marriages, for both the petitioner and beneficiary, including common-law or “uncertain” marriages
- Any prior immigration filings or claims (e.g., asylum, green card applications)
These details are crucial for accurate case analysis.
🎁 Applying the Consultation Fee Toward Legal Services
In some cases, I may apply part or all of your consultation fee as a credit toward future legal services — but this is entirely at my discretion and based on the specifics of your case.
Even if I don’t take your case, you are still receiving expert guidance and legal evaluation during the time we spend together.
🔁 Refund Policy
- Once your consultation begins, the fee is non-refundable.
- If you cancel at least one (1) business day in advance, a refund may be issued.
⏳ When Answers Aren’t Immediate
Most consultations result in immediate legal guidance. However, if your case involves unusual or complex legal issues, I may need extra time to research.
In that event, I will:
- Let you know during the consultation
- Provide a written opinion within 48–72 hours
- Possibly require an additional research fee in rare cases
📞 Ready to Book?
Scheduling a consultation is your first smart step toward solving your immigration challenge. Let’s talk — and see what options may be available to you.
[Contact me today to schedule your consultation.]
Last Revision: March 2025.