Can I Divorce Without Going to Court?  Yes, you can divorce without going to court in the USA, especially if it is an uncontested divorce. Here’s what that means and how it works: When You Can Divorce Without Going to Court 1. Uncontested Divorce If both spouses agree on all key issues — like [...]

  What Does a Waiver Mean in a Divorce? In a divorce, a waiver typically refers to a legal document where one spouse voluntarily gives up certain rights or formal requirements in the divorce process. The most common example is a "waiver of service" or "waiver of citation." What Is a Waiver of Service? A [...]

How Much Does a Lawyer Charge for a Waiver? The cost of hiring a lawyer for a waiver—such as a liability waiver—can vary depending on the complexity of the document and the services required. On average: Drafting a liability waiver from scratch typically costs around $610 on a flat fee basis. This includes creating a [...]

  Can USCIS Approve a Green Card Without an Interview? Yes, USCIS can approve a green card without an interview in certain cases. While interviews are a standard part of the green card process, especially for marriage-based and family-sponsored applications, USCIS has discretionary authority to waive the interview requirement if it determines that the evidence [...]

  How Long Is VAWA Taking in 2025?  As of January 2025, the average processing time for a VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petition is approximately 41.5 months. This equates to about 3.5 years, though actual processing times can vary depending on factors such as case complexity, USCIS workload, and staffing levels.  Key Considerations Concurrent [...]

  What Disqualifies You From VAWA? While the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a critical path to lawful immigration status for victims of abuse, certain factors can disqualify an applicant from VAWA protection or from obtaining a VAWA-based green card. Here are the key disqualifiers: Serious Criminal History: Convictions for certain crimes—such as violent [...]

  Does VAWA Status Expire? The VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) status itself does not expire, but certain aspects of the immigration benefits associated with VAWA are time-sensitive or conditional. Here’s how it works: Approved VAWA Petition (Form I-360): Once your VAWA petition is approved, it does not "expire." However, it does not automatically grant [...]

  What Is the Current Wait Time for a Green Card?  As of June 2025, the wait time for obtaining a U.S. Green Card varies significantly based on the type of application and the applicant's specific circumstances. Here's an overview of the current processing times: What Is the Current Wait Time for a Green Card? [...]

Does USCIS Investigate VAWA? Yes, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) does investigate VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) petitions to ensure that only eligible individuals receive the protections offered under the program. The investigation is not adversarial like a criminal probe, but it is a thorough and careful review of the evidence submitted with the [...]

How Can I Speed Up My VAWA Process? The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) immigration process can sometimes take time due to the careful review needed for each case. While you cannot control all aspects of the timeline, here are some steps you can take to help speed up your VAWA petition: Submit a Complete [...]