Unsure of lawyer's advice re submitting bonafides with application

[Helpneeded88]

We hired a lawyer thinking this would be the best way forward and give peace of mind.
However they called today to say that the applications are ready to be submitted and when I asked about don't they want our messages, financial documents, photos, affidavits etc to submit with the package as proof of a bonafide marriage, they said no, not required. They said that that stuff isn't checked in advance and that it would be prepared and given to the officers right before the interview so they can review it then.
Also today they told me that the fees for uscis are likely to go up and we should sign and send them asap but we are waiting on medicals which could take a month to complete. When I asked if we could just submit the medicals at the interview they told me there was a new uscis policy that came into effect in September and now all medicals are only valid for 60 days so either way we'd probably have to do medicals twice.
Which makes absolutely no sense considering it does not state anything else anywhere on the internet let alone the uscis page itself...that you actually have 2 years before a medical expires.
Seriously beginning to doubt my counsel ????. Please can someone advise or give their thoughts.
Many thanks ????????

[Maria L]

I've read about a similar case, where the lawyer did not submit any proof of bona fide marriage along with the application and I believed they received an RFE.
You SHOULD add proof along with your application and extra ones at the interview. Don't pay attention to them.

[azblk]

We hired a lawyer thinking this would be the best way forward and give peace of mind.
However they called today to say that the applications are ready to be submitted and when I asked about don't they want our messages, financial documents, photos, affidavits etc to submit with the package as proof of a bonafide marriage, they said no, not required. They said that that stuff isn't checked in advance and that it would be prepared and given to the officers right before the interview so they can review it then.
Also today they told me that the fees for uscis are likely to go up and we should sign and send them asap but we are waiting on medicals which could take a month to complete. When I asked if we could just submit the medicals at the interview they told me there was a new uscis policy that came into effect in September and now all medicals are only valid for 60 days so either way we'd probably have to do medicals twice.
Which makes absolutely no sense considering it does not state anything else anywhere on the internet let alone the uscis page itself...that you actually have 2 years before a medical expires.
Seriously beginning to doubt my counsel ????. Please can someone advise or give their thoughts.
Many thanks ????????

FIRE that lawyer

[hopefulandhappy]

Did you pay this lawyer yet?

I’d get a new lawyer...

[Enub4]

We hired a lawyer thinking this would be the best way forward and give peace of mind.
However they called today to say that the applications are ready to be submitted and when I asked about don't they want our messages, financial documents, photos, affidavits etc to submit with the package as proof of a bonafide marriage, they said no, not required. They said that that stuff isn't checked in advance and that it would be prepared and given to the officers right before the interview so they can review it then.
Also today they told me that the fees for uscis are likely to go up and we should sign and send them asap but we are waiting on medicals which could take a month to complete. When I asked if we could just submit the medicals at the interview they told me there was a new uscis policy that came into effect in September and now all medicals are only valid for 60 days so either way we'd probably have to do medicals twice.
Which makes absolutely no sense considering it does not state anything else anywhere on the internet let alone the uscis page itself...that you actually have 2 years before a medical expires.
Seriously beginning to doubt my counsel ????. Please can someone advise or give their thoughts.
Many thanks ????????

I think supplying enough extra documents is good.

The proposed price increase is going to be big if they approve it as requested (having to pay for I-765 and I-131 on top of I-485, also on renewals). I don't know if they are going to approve it soon and in full. For those reasons is better to plan to apply soon before there is a major change.

The 60 days for medical is that:
- if you do your medical before sending I-485, you only have 60 days after the civil surgeon signs it to file the forms together and USCIS receive them.

If you send your I-485 without the medical form (I-693), USCIS will ask for it at a later time.

[Helpneeded88]

Yes we paid half already and we're due to pay the rest on submission of the application. We decided on this lawyer because they solely do immigration and he's got 20 years of experience and been successful in changing some of the immigration laws etc. But being given information that goes directly against the actual uscis guidelines is giving me serious anxiety

[Islandgirl93]

The medical you can submit at any time, I never sent my medical in with my application. My lawyer didn’t seem bothered by it. We did however front load our evidences to send along with the application. If you find that your marriage is fairly new and you lack a lot of decent evidences. Just send the application solely and the time you’ll have from submitting to interview, use that time wisely to collect documents. You don’t want to be that person that opens a joint account this week, and get all your evidences rushed as if your building them just to show uscis. Longevity goes a far way. A joint account with transactions going on for a few months seems more legit to me. Truth is do whatever you feel comfortable with. And don’t jump to fire your lawyer. 20 years of experience is quite impressive. Work with him and explain to him what you’d prefer. After all you are paying him/her. It’s not charity work and this is your case. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Helpneeded88]

The medical you can submit at any time, I never sent my medical in with my application. My lawyer didn’t seem bothered by it. We did however front load our evidences to send along with the application. If you find that your marriage is fairly new and you lack a lot of decent evidences. Just send the application solely and the time you’ll have from submitting to interview, use that time wisely to collect documents. You don’t want to be that person that opens a joint account this week, and get all your evidences rushed as if your building them just to show uscis. Longevity goes a far way. A joint account with transactions going on for a few months seems more legit to me. Truth is do whatever you feel comfortable with. And don’t jump to fire your lawyer. 20 years of experience is quite impressive. Work with him and explain to him what you’d prefer. After all you are paying him/her. It’s not charity work and this is your case. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thank you, that's exactly what we decided last night. That we would ask them to send in the proof that we have and continue to gather between now and the interview. You said exactly what we were thinking and I completely appreciate that, thank you so much.

Have a great Christmas everyone!! Xx

[Islandgirl93]

Thank you, that's exactly what we decided last night. That we would ask them to send in the proof that we have and continue to gather between now and the interview. You said exactly what we were thinking and I completely appreciate that, thank you so much.

Have a great Christmas everyone!! Xx

Most welcome. Happy Christmas. And save those holiday cards and tickets if you fly anywhere.