The spending sits in retrieval and analysis: obtaining archived payroll and pension records, translating foreign documents, and paying for counsel's review of a history with several possible readings. Budget for a second review if new records surface. Distinguish that analytical work from the later drafting of the petition itself.
Pay for the assessment before the packet
Ask whether the adviser will quote the chronology review as a separate piece of work, with a written opinion at the end of it. That structure keeps the money proportionate: if the year abroad does not support a filing, the household has spent on the assessment rather than on a full petition. Agree what happens to the fee if a newly found record changes the analysis after the opinion is delivered.
Ask whether the adviser will quote the chronology review as a separate piece of work ending in a written opinion, because that structure keeps the spending proportionate. If the year abroad does not support a filing, the household has paid for the assessment rather than for a full petition. The spending sits in retrieval and analysis: obtaining archived payroll and pension records, translating foreign documents, and paying for a review of a history with several possible readings.
Budget for a second review if new records surface, and agree in advance what happens to the fee if a newly found record changes the analysis after the opinion is delivered.