If in doubt, hire a lawyer. Yes, most immigration law issues can be handled by a layperson, but it will take a lot of research before you even get the basics down. To give you an idea, immigration cases are usually as complex as a very difficult income tax return. Of course, it depends on the type of case, some are more difficult than others.
Also, keep in mind that many of USCIS decisions are discretionary rather than dictated by law, as in the case of income taxes. Thus, you not only need to fill out the forms to comply with the law, but also to convince the USCIS officer.
It is perfectly legal to do it by yourself, but you would take a substantial risk.
There is one exception: if your case is a straightforward marriage to a US citizen, it can be beneficial to do it without a lawyer. Involving a lawyer might make USCIS suspicious. However, if there is anything unusual about your case - say, travel on a tourist visa a previous overstay, an unusual type of marriage (for instance, big age difference between the partners) or anything else unusual, DO hire a lawyer anyway!
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