C D
Feb 5, 2026
how much you paid your lawyer vawa?
I’m especially curious:
– How much did you pay your lawyer overall (including the VAWA filing)?
– Were you charged extra for responding to a Request for Evidence (RFE)?
– Where are you based (state/city), if you’re comfortable sharing?
For context:
I applied for VAWA back in 2021 and paid my original lawyer $8,000. Fast forward almost five year that lawyer has now resigned, and I’ve received an RFE.
I’m switching attorneys and having a new lawyer take over the case just to review the file and respond to the RFE. She’s still working on the retainer, but so far I’ve already paid about $1,700 just for her to review the paperwork without committing to it and not a deep dive.
She said once she goes page by page, her rate will be $600–700 per hour, and she estimates it could take around three hours. At this point, it feels like I’ll end up close to $10,000 total for the whole process.
Would really appreciate hearing others’ experiences what’s normal, what’s high, and whether RFEs usually mean extra legal fees like this.
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JoJo JoJoFeb 5, 2026
hi, i applied in 2022 in Orlando,FL. i paid $5000 to my lawyer for the VAWA part. i also had an RFE but it is the same lawyer so i didnt have to pay again. i think that person is being excessive with the cost and you should look into other options.
C DFeb 5, 2026
@JoJo JoJo exactly, now I’m torn between. where is your lawyer based?
JoJo JoJoFeb 5, 2026
@I’ll be happy s Orlando, FL; sekou clarke law firm but my experience with them hasnt been great but u can check them out at your own risk
june filter 2023Feb 5, 2026
@I’ll be happy s I have applied in June 2023 my lawyer is in New York and I am in Wisconsin I have paid $12,500 for full vawa , I haven't get RFE just waiting
melo navarFeb 5, 2026
me around 10k I still pay $750
for maintenance fee every yr
Jah BlessFeb 5, 2026
8000$ in 2021? when I filed 2021 it was like 2500$, if your lawyer resign did she hand over the case to the new Lawyer because if he or she does they don’t have to charge you no extra again that’s fucked up. It’s too much for VAWA
God providesFeb 5, 2026
which lawyer do yall think are great?
j da SilvaFeb 5, 2026
the lawyers definitely exploit the situation, most vawa lawyers are charging 10-18k in 2026.
and have the audacity to charge for the filing fees even tho they are waived for vawa applicants. sad that we have to endure abuse from our spouses, battle the wait times and be rip off by the attorneys.
ines inesFeb 5, 2026
@I’ll be happy s around 15k all together 2022
okis floresFeb 6, 2026
13500 🥲
bless EmmaFeb 6, 2026
$8,500 I’m in Newyork queens
Tash BFeb 6, 2026
these prices are off the charts, I applied in 2020 I paid $1600 and twice I paid$450 to renew my work permit, which I know I could have done without a lawyer but I chose to pay because I had enough stress already and didn’t want to be bothered with paperwork, now I’m doing my daughter’s filing same lawyer $1850 I’m in New York he’s in Michigan , note I’ve gotten my green card almost 2 years now without RFE and about 6 PF @I’ll be happy s
waiting gameFeb 6, 2026
I also helped my family member with hers for $0. She filed Oct 2022.. No RFEs so far, She has received 6 Prima facies and got her renewal EAD for 5 years in July. She didn't renew her AP as yet.
kymm BFeb 6, 2026
@JoJo JoJo we r using the same lawyer. we just gotta pray for the best.
Spice IslanderFeb 6, 2026
please check out chidolue law firm the best in Vawa
Mark Douglas Feb 6, 2026
I paid mine $12,500
$3,500 down payment
uchy OFeb 6, 2026
my lawyer charged $1500 for the whole process till I get gc. I paid $500 to file all the documents, the other $500 when I get EAD and the last portion when I get GC. I applied 2021 and got approved vawa last year. you all are really enriching all these lawyers wow
Jan 2025Feb 6, 2026
$9000
Raj MahetaFeb 6, 2026
in 2021 I paid $8k
black cat black catFeb 7, 2026
$5k in 2023.
sun shineFeb 7, 2026
5k in 2021, New York
Q UFeb 11, 2026
Back in 2022 I pay $2,000 for their services but the Vawa is free of cost
and to file the i485+i131+i765 for me and my 2 daughter’s I pay $6000 in 2025 when Vawa was approved.
same Vawa related forms are free of cost.
I didn’t receive RFE
E LFeb 12, 2026
5k in 2021 Boston.
Elle ElleFeb 12, 2026
0 I filled by myself.
