Joint bank account -- totally necessary?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Okay, I know I have about 15 months until we can even start to think about lifting conditions but I'm starting to collect various bits and pieces in advance. My husband and I do not have a joint bank account, and to be honest, we'd rather keep it that way. It has nothing to do with trusting him with my money (he's an authorised user on my credit card already) or the state of our marriage (which is just fine). We just prefer to have separate accounts, and it seems ever-so-slightly offensive to me that somehow a joint bank account is incontrovertible proof of our love and dedication to each other.

When we were living together in the UK, both before and after our wedding, we had separate accounts, and each took responsibility for certain bills. Now that we're in the US, we're doing the same thing. We have a joint gym membership, joint cell phone bill, and about a gazillion little things that "prove" we are at the very least living together at the same address. We're filing a joint tax return this year as well. I just wanted input from other VJers as to whether I should set up a bank account purely for the purpose of satisfying USCIS, and if so, it was necessary to actually have any transactions on it.

I'm expecting the news is yes, maven, you need to. But how ridiculous is that? We have found ourselves doing absurd things like taking pictures of ourselves together purely for USCIS purposes, as neither of us like how we look in pictures, and we both know how we look already! Sorry, digressing there into a rant. But if anyone can chime in, much appreciated!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Perhaps you could open a high yield savings account or a money market one in both your names? Or also prepare to include each other as beneficiaries in health insurance, life insurance and the like.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Perhaps you could open a high yield savings account or a money market one in both your names? Or also prepare to include each other as beneficiaries in health insurance, life insurance and the like.

The savings account is a great idea -- we've discussed it before as a possibility. Health insurance -- well, if I could get someone to actually GIVE me some health insurance that would be super. Everywhere doesn't want to touch us because we haven't been in the USA for over a year (another story for another day...)

Life insurance is something else I've considered. Thanks Len!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Perhaps you could open a high yield savings account or a money market one in both your names? Or also prepare to include each other as beneficiaries in health insurance, life insurance and the like.

The savings account is a great idea -- we've discussed it before as a possibility. Health insurance -- well, if I could get someone to actually GIVE me some health insurance that would be super. Everywhere doesn't want to touch us because we haven't been in the USA for over a year (another story for another day...)

Life insurance is something else I've considered. Thanks Len!

What else? Hmmm.... well, utilities in both your names, or in one's name but showing same address. But yup, savings account sounds like a must.- you can also see if either of your employers offers a retirement plan, contribute to it and name each other as beneficiary.

I'm also on your same timeline, and am already photocopying all kinds of stuff for Removing Conditions

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Perhaps you could open a high yield savings account or a money market one in both your names? Or also prepare to include each other as beneficiaries in health insurance, life insurance and the like.

The savings account is a great idea -- we've discussed it before as a possibility. Health insurance -- well, if I could get someone to actually GIVE me some health insurance that would be super. Everywhere doesn't want to touch us because we haven't been in the USA for over a year (another story for another day...)

Life insurance is something else I've considered. Thanks Len!

What else? Hmmm.... well, utilities in both your names, or in one's name but showing same address. But yup, savings account sounds like a must.- you can also see if either of your employers offers a retirement plan, contribute to it and name each other as beneficiary.

I'm also on your same timeline, and am already photocopying all kinds of stuff for Removing Conditions

Yep, the utilities will be in the same name once we move to California later this year (currently residing at Casa Mom & Dad!). Bruce and I are both sort of self-employed -- in the sense that we both have part-time employment, and also work for ourselves as well (him as an actor, me as a governance consultant). If I ever, ever get the chance to have a proper job again I am going to hold out for the whole package -- retirement plan, health insurance, etc -- like I had back in London. Sigh.

Good to know there's another forward-thinking obsessive out there, Len!

[Mononoke28 135]

You can have 2 separate accounts and show that the mailing address for both is the same as where you two live. That right there proves that you live together.

Diana

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

You can have 2 separate accounts and show that the mailing address for both is the same as where you two live. That right there proves that you live together.

Diana

Thanks, Diana! I was wondering this -- is it enough to prove you are living together or do you need to prove you share and share alike? I'm not greedy (believe me, I push money on the boy all the time for treats and he won't take it!), just not thrilled about having to go open another bank account.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

You can have 2 separate accounts and show that the mailing address for both is the same as where you two live. That right there proves that you live together.

Diana

Thanks, Diana! I was wondering this -- is it enough to prove you are living together or do you need to prove you share and share alike? I'm not greedy (believe me, I push money on the boy all the time for treats and he won't take it!), just not thrilled about having to go open another bank account.

They are looking for co-mingling of assets, so this is kind of secondary evidence.

He's an actor???? Hoe freaking cool!!! And your job is super interesting sister!!! WOW!

Also, remember to file married jointly in your taxes and all that jazz.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

They are looking for co-mingling of assets, so this is kind of secondary evidence.

He's an actor???? Hoe freaking cool!!! And your job is super interesting sister!!! WOW!

Also, remember to file married jointly in your taxes and all that jazz.

Thanks Len! We're actually pretty dorky, but we do have cool jobs. The boy has just been awarded his PhD in History (on the history of the British automotive industry during WWII and the aftereffects of reconversion to civilian automobile production) so now he's Dr. Dork , but now that's he's done he'll be back doing what he trained to do. We've put off moving to LA until the writer's strike was over; now that it is, we need to start making plans to move ANOTHER 3,500 miles!

[bakofoil 27]

I have no clue about this part of the process but I had a thought when I read your post.

If you are paying utilities and each of you have allocated certain utilities to go out of each other's accounts - then why not set up a joint bank account where ALL the utilities are paid out of, each of you depositing the total amount needed to pay the utilities you each paid before?

Does that make sense?

[Marilyn. 340]

You can have 2 separate accounts and show that the mailing address for both is the same as where you two live. That right there proves that you live together.

Diana

Thanks, Diana! I was wondering this -- is it enough to prove you are living together or do you need to prove you share and share alike? I'm not greedy (believe me, I push money on the boy all the time for treats and he won't take it!), just not thrilled about having to go open another bank account.

i included bills that were just in my name and some just in hubby's name... it does show that you live at the same address... so I think it is still good proof....

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I have no clue about this part of the process but I had a thought when I read your post.

If you are paying utilities and each of you have allocated certain utilities to go out of each other's accounts - then why not set up a joint bank account where ALL the utilities are paid out of, each of you depositing the total amount needed to pay the utilities you each paid before?

Does that make sense?

It does make sense, and if I weren't the ornery girl I am I would march down to the bank and open the checking account. But, to be frank, it's me what pays the bills right now and for the foreseeable future (unless the boy lands a plum role out in LA!). We have in the past paid in proportion to our earnings, and right now I earn considerably more than he does. So really, all the bills are going out of one account: mine. He gives me cash for his portion, which is fine by me -- I always like to have a little cash on me (note to VJers -- don't mug me!). Sometimes, I take the cash and spend it on things I know he needs but is too cheap to buy, because I really hate taking his money when he has so little in comparison to me.

I guess it's the principle of the thing. Why should I complete an unnecessary business transaction by placing money with a bank in order to satisfy a government agency as to the bona fides of my marriage? I will open a joint savings account, no probs with that, as it is saving together for our future. But to both of us, our checking accounts symbolise our own selves, and the right to determine at least part of our own expenditure.

Wow, I am getting waaaaaaay too philosophical about this.

[Jessiesgirl 0]

We also dont have a joint, account, we have always managed our own money, and still do. We are sending in our separate bank account statements which show the same address. My husband pays the bills that are in his name, and I pay the ones that are in my name.

As far as I am concerned sharing a bank account doesnt mean anything.

We have more that enough evidence that we are a bona fide couple, hell if I had to tell you the story about when we did the AOS you would fall off of your seat, and I was approved there and then, the guy stamped my passport and told us to take a vacation

[Cassie 8]

I guess it's the principle of the thing. Why should I complete an unnecessary business transaction by placing money with a bank in order to satisfy a government agency as to the bona fides of my marriage? I will open a joint savings account, no probs with that, as it is saving together for our future. But to both of us, our checking accounts symbolise our own selves, and the right to determine at least part of our own expenditure.

Wow, I am getting waaaaaaay too philosophical about this.

USCIS isn't demanding that you open a joint account, they want to see that the two of you are co-mingling your assets/liabilities, like a typical married couple. Usually that does mean joint banking accounts, but since you don't have those, think outside the box. I humbly suggest you take a look at RFE threads in this forum (99% of which are usually related to financial evidence) to maybe get some alternative ideas of providing that kind of evidence.

Oh, and I suggest writing your wills and including them.

Edited February 21, 2008 by Cassie

[SKCS 0]

Howdy,

Interesting thread, something to add is in all of your travels and meeting folks get letters from friends and parents to have them state that you are a couple and all that other fun information. There are samples on this website, but if you start now it saves last minute writting and or asking people for them.

We are doing ours now, we are in our 90 day window....

Later,