What Is Collaborative Law? How To Apply Greencard For Parents?

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The public tends to associate attorneys with conflict creation, not working together towards practical problem-solving. The legal industry is slowly changing, however. Although some lawyers are kicking and screaming in resistance, others see opportunities for improved client outcomes and their professional satisfaction levels.

Businesses and commercial clients need to solve their legal problems or complete important transactions without frustrating delays, expenses, and legal posturing. Today, some people are not able to afford traditional legal services for issues such as divorce or other domestic relations matters. Across the country, more and more attorneys are moving away from the “lawyer as gladiator” model towards focused negotiations and effective settlement advocacy.

Not all lawyers are influential when it comes to obtaining a favorable result outside the constricting walls of a courtroom. It is a different skill set – one oftentimes ignored by law schools.

The emergence of the Formal Collaborative Law Process  

This frustration spurred the beginnings of the Collaborative Law process, now used worldwide to resolve various types of legal conflict respectfully.  Although it began in 1990, collaborative law is still considered a new approach in the slow-moving legal world.  

Under the collaborative model of dispute resolution, lawyers are retained to work cooperatively to reach a solution that is acceptable for both sides – without any court intervention or even the threat of court intervention.   

What Is Collaborative Law Overview?

The collaborative law process also encourages the use of neutral,non-lawyer professionals, whether financial experts or mental health professionals serving as neutral coaches and facilitators as part of the collaborative team.

Although the collaborative process is usually less expensive than litigation, it tends to cost more than mediation, where just one professional works with the parties. There are many other differences, making sense to compare a collaborative approach to mediation and litigation.

Critical Elements Of What Is Collaborative Law

• The voluntary and free exchange of information

• The pledge not to litigate (go to court) and withdrawal of both attorneys and other team professionals if either party litigates

• A commitment to respect both parties’ goals

The collaborative practice can also be applied to disputes involving employment law, probate law, construction law, fundamental property law, and other civil law where continuing relationships exist after the conflict has been resolved. To read more about what is collaborative law, click here. 

What Is A Green Card? 

A green card, or permanent residence, allows an immigrant to live and work in the United States for the rest of his or her life. For many people, obtaining a green card is the first step in the road to U.S. citizenship. The most popular method of obtaining a green card is through employment sponsorship or family sponsorship. However, there are other ways to get a green card, including political asylum, investment visas, and diversity lotteries.

A person may apply for Citizenship by Naturalization if they meet the following criteria:

• Time as a Permanent Resident – The applicant must be present in the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) or on Military Duty

• Continuous Residence – Five years of ongoing residency in the United States after LPR status and three months in the State where the citizenship application is filed

• Physical Presence in the US – Must be physically present in the United States for at least one-half of the five years residing in the U.S.

• Time as a Resident in a USCIS District or State – Most people must live in the USCIS district or state in which they are applying for at least three months before applying

• And many more

How To Apply Green Card For Parents?

One of the most effective ways for immigrants to apply for permanent legal residence status in the United States is to have an “Immediate Relative” in the United States file a petition on their behalf. A parent of a U.S. citizen is an immediate relative. To qualify as a close relative of a U.S. citizen child, the child must be over 21. For more information on applying Greencard for parents, click here. 

Stepparents and stepchildren may also qualify as “Immediate Relatives” if the marriage creating the stepparent/stepchild relationship occurred before the stepchild’s 18th birthday.

One of the main benefits of being an “Immediate Relative” of a United States citizen is that there is no limit on the number of visas available for the relative to migrate to the U.S. 

Five years after obtaining their green card, the parent may apply for U.S. citizenship.

The time to process a case depends on whether the parent is in the United States with a legal entry or is living outside the United States. In the United States, the process is called Adjustment of Status, and it takes about six months. If the parent is outside the U.S., it is called consular processing, and it can take about ten months or so.

Conclusion

After understanding what collaborative law is, it is essential to amend your decisions in line with it.