1. The applicant must submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status on or before December 9, 201
2. The applicant must have been inspected and paroled into the U.S. under the humanitarian parole policy issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security on January 18, 2010 and closed to new parole requests on April 15, 2010;
3. The applicant must be deemed admissible to the U.S. as an immigrant.  Visa and passport requirements are waived;
4. The applicant must be physically present in the U.S. when Form I-485 is filed AND on the date that USCIS decides his/her case.

It is important that the application be received by USCIS on or before the deadline.  Otherwise, it will be rejected.

In addition to submitting Form I-485, the applicant must pay a filing fee of $985.00, which is not waivable .  There is also a biometrics fee of $85.00 if the applicant is 14 years old or older.  Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, completed and issued within one year of the application must be completed by a designated civil surgeon and submitted in its original sealed envelope.  A copy of the applicant’s Form I-94 card must be included along with evidence of the applicant’s identity and nationality.  Evidence of such include the applicant’s Haitian Birth Certificate and passport; their national identity document or any other documents issued by the Haitian Government verifying the applicant’s identity.  Unless specifically requested, copies of documents may be submitted with the application and any documents not in English must be accompanied by a full English translation which includes a certification from a competent translator.  Because applicants under Help Haiti are not considered “immediate relatives,” there is no requirement to submit Form I-864 Affidavit of support.  Please consult the instructions for Form I-485 for additional guidance.

For U.S. Postal Service deliveries, the application must be sent to the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox:
USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

For Express or courier deliveries, the application is sent to:
USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

After the application is filed, the applicant will be notified to appear for biometrics collection which will involve the taking of the applicant’s picture, signature and index fingerprint.  If the applicant is at least 14 years old, an FBI fingerprint check will be performed as well.  The information gathered from this process will be used for the creation of the green card as well as to create employment authorization and/or advance parole document.  An appointment notice will be sent if an interview is required.  If the application is approved, the applicant should receive the green card within 2 weeks after Form I-485 is approved.
Travel outside of the U.S. while the adjustment of status application is pending should not occur until the applicant requests a travel document, also known as advance parole, by filing Form I-131.  Form I-131 can be filed concurrently with the adjustment application or at anytime while the application for adjustment is pending.  The travel document should be obtained PRIOR to departing the U.S.  If not, USCIS will consider the adjustment application abandoned and the applicant will not be able to return lawfully to the U.S.

Those who obtain permanent residence under the Help Haiti Act of 2010 will be eligible for U.S. citizenship under INA Section 320 and 322 if before the applicant’s 18th birthday, he/she

1. Obtained permanent resident status under the Act AND
2. Is adopted by a U.S. citizen.

Under normal circumstances, a child must be adopted before their 16th birthday to obtain citizenship through their adoptive parents.  Help Haiti Act, however, enables children up to 18 years old to be adopted.

There are many ways to value real estate. In Indiana, a property owner is allowed to testify as to the value of real estate he or she owns. Real estate agents and brokers can testify as to a property’s value. And then there is my favorite- the appraisal. Any good family law attorney will recognize the importance of finding a good appraiser.

When hiring an appraiser, it is important to find an experienced real estate appraiser who understands the type of property at issue. Some appraisers understand commercial property, while others specialize in residential properties. A good Indiana family law attorney will match her client’s needs with the right appraiser.

It is also important to find an appraiser who is articulent and who speaks well. Your appraiser may become an expert witness. So, it’s important to find an appraiser both who does good work, and who can speak well and explain appraisal concepts in court.

In the end, the appraiser’s opinion might be the key to a fair property settlement or a final hearing by which a judge divides marital assets.

When you need to find an Indiana attorney (or one in another area) to help you with your family law problems, make sure to consider these factors and use these helpful hints:

• Ask a family member or trusted friend for a referral.
• Ask your business or estate planning attorney for a referral.  Get two to three names.  Interview all of them on the phone.
• Choose a family law attorney close to your home or office, or an attorney whose officwe is near the courthouse.  This can make appointments easier or keep your fees down.
• Call the family law attorneys referred to you and interview them on the phone.  Remember, however, that good attorneys are busy and in high demand.  Most good attorneys do not offer free initial consultations.
• Bring all important documents or previous agreements to your first consultation.
• Take notes, ask questions, and research any resources the attorney gives you.
• Ask your Indiana family law attorney how many cases she has handled that are similar to your case.
• Ask how many years experience your family law attoreney has?  Does her area of practice concentrate on family law in Indiana?
• Does your attorney seem aggressive yet compassionate?  Does she show concern for your children?
• Do you think your family law attorney understands what you are trying to accomplish?
• Is your attorney patient with you in answering your family law questions?
• Most importantly, does your attorney understand what you are looking for?  How comfortable do you feel with her experience and personality?

If you find an Indiana family law attorney but don’t feel comfortable with him or his advice, you have the right to a second opinion.