What to Do If Your Law Firm Closes While Your Case Is Still Pending
Finding out that your law firm has closed while you still have an immigration case or application pending can be stressful. You may be wondering what happens to your case, whether important deadlines will be missed, and who will help you with the next steps.
The good news is that a law firm’s closure does not necessarily mean your immigration case is over. However, it is important to act quickly to find out the current status of your case and make sure your legal and administrative needs continue to be handled.
What Happens to Your Case When a Law Firm Closes?
Your immigration case generally does not automatically disappear or end simply because your attorney’s office closes. Your case may still be pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the immigration court, or another government agency.
However, if your attorney is no longer available to represent you, you need to take steps to protect your case. This can include finding a new attorney, obtaining your case file, updating your address or attorney information, and making sure you do not miss any upcoming deadlines.
Find Out Exactly Where Your Case Stands
The first step is to determine the current status of your case.
If you have a USCIS case, gather your receipt notices and case numbers so you can check the status of your application or petition. If your case involves immigration court, you should also determine whether you have any upcoming hearings, filing deadlines, or other requirements.
Do not assume that there is nothing you need to do simply because you have not heard from your previous attorney.
Get a Copy of Your Complete Case File
If your previous law firm is closing, try to obtain a complete copy of your immigration file.
Your file may contain important documents such as:
• USCIS receipt notices
• Applications and petitions that were filed
• Copies of supporting documents
• USCIS notices and correspondence
• Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
• Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs)
• Immigration court documents
• Previous attorney correspondence
• Copies of your identification and immigration documents
• Evidence submitted with your application
Having your complete file can help a new attorney understand what has already been filed and determine what still needs to be done.
Check for Deadlines
One of the most important things you can do is determine whether your case has an upcoming deadline.
Depending on your type of case, you may need to respond to a USCIS request, submit additional evidence, attend an appointment, appear in immigration court, or file another application or document.
Missing a deadline can have serious consequences. If your previous attorney is no longer available, do not wait until the last minute to find out what needs to be done.
Consider Hiring a New Immigration Attorney
If your case is still pending or requires additional work, you may want to consult with another immigration attorney.
A new attorney can review your case and determine:
• What has already been filed
• Whether your case is still pending
• Whether USCIS or the immigration court has sent any recent notices
• Whether additional documents or evidence are needed
• Whether you have upcoming deadlines
• What steps need to be taken next
Every immigration case is different, so a new attorney should review your individual circumstances before advising you about what needs to be done.
Make Sure Your Contact Information Is Current
It is important that government agencies have your correct mailing address and contact information.
If notices are being sent to an old address or to an attorney who is no longer representing you, you could miss an important notice or deadline.
A new attorney can help determine whether your address or attorney information needs to be updated and what steps may be necessary for your particular case.
Don’t Assume Your Case Will Take Care of Itself
Immigration cases can remain pending for long periods of time. Even when you have already submitted an application, there may still be additional steps required before your case can be completed.
If your former law firm has closed, it is important to find out whether your case requires additional action rather than simply waiting for a decision.
Taking action early can give you more time to address problems, gather documents, and meet any deadlines that may apply.
We Can Help You Understand Your Next Steps
If your immigration attorney or law firm has closed and you still have a pending case or application, you do not have to figure everything out on your own.
At Delgado Law Firm, we can review your immigration case, determine where things currently stand, and discuss what may need to be done next.
If you have an upcoming deadline, recently received a notice, or are unsure about the status of your case, contact Delgado Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
The sooner you understand the status of your case, the sooner you can determine what steps may be necessary to keep moving forward.