Should You Pay Immigration Firms for "Consultation" Fees?
The slick, the seedy, the needy—and the reality—of law firms and their intake processes
I’ve been speaking with a range of law firms lately—across Canada, Ireland, Uruguay, and other strategic jurisdictions. And something keeps popping up that I think more of you should understand, especially if you’re serious about relocation, second residencies, or designing a true sovereign stack.
A surprising number of immigration-focused law firms now require $300 to $500 (USD) for a “consultation call.”
Now, let’s be clear: the money itself isn’t the issue.
Five hundred dollars to get clarity on a legal pathway that can save me six months, $50,000, or a failed visa attempt?
Sold. Every day of the week. Twice on Sunday. Where do I wire the money?
But after running two law firms myself—a mid-sized and a boutique—I understand better than most what intake is supposed to do. It’s why I’ve been surprised at how many firms start with a paywall before they’re even willing to determine whether they can help.
Not all firms are doing this, to be clear. But enough are that it’s worth unpacking why, when it’s a red flag, and when it’s a strategic signal of how the firm is built—and who it’s for.
🔒 Inside the Paid Section:
👔 Big firm vs. boutique firm dynamics—and why some charge to talk while others don’t (but probably should)
🧠 When consultation fees are a red flag—and when they’re strategic signal
🛡️ The legal shield most clients forget: attorney-client privilege
🔍 My personal vetting criteria after running law firms and hiring counsel for two decades
💥 A hard truth about firms that say they’re “too busy” to offer free consults: If they were that good, they’d be bigger
💡 5 questions to ask before you ever pay a dollar
This isn’t about whining over fees. It’s about understanding the power dynamics behind that paywall—and what you’re actually buying when you cross it.