What is the usual procedure to compensate an attorney for legal fees?

Yes, it is normal to transfer legal fees into a trust account.

Yes, if you are out of the country or the State attorneys will often ask that money be wired, and that is standard practice.

Yes; make sure you have a written engagement agreement with the attorney and check the EB-5 experience of the attorney. Read the agreement carefully and make sure you understand all of the terms.

Before you retain a U.S. immigration attorney to handle your EB-5 matters, it is essential to first consult with the immigration attorney to determine their EB-5 experience and expertise. To answer your question, we first must determine whether you want to invest your personal funds in your own direct EB-5 business or whether you want to invest your personal funds in an EB-5 Regional Center project. Once a determination is made as to which EB-5 process you would want to pursue then the immigration attorney can give you a proposal for set attorneys fees to represent you and achieve hopefully your EB-5 goals.

Yes, this is normal. In the most basic format, attorneys maintain a client trust account and an operating account. Client funds are deposited into the client trust account, and moved to an operating account as they are earned/worked.

Some attorneys use trust accounts, others do not.

There is no required model; in the case of our firm we charge 50% in the beginning and 50% upon approval. If the I-526 is denied we return all fees.

It sounds normal to me. Depending on the law firm and the particular situation, payment can be by cash, money order, or even online.

Yes, the use of a trust account arrangement is normal. Then the attorney takes the money out to be applied to his/her fees as accrued. Just be sure that yo have a reputable attorney.