What if we don't have joint bank accounts?

[loli 0]

Hi,

I am about to file the I-751 (I have until end of October) but I am a little worried about my situation. When I met my now husband, he already had a house and all the bills were on his name. When we got married, I just moved in and never cared about adding my names to everything. I didn't have a job and he was paying all the bills anyway. Now I work and I pay all the bills except that they are still in his name.

We don't have joint bank accounts, is it going to be a problem? and if so, do you think we should have one just for filing the petition?

The only things we have are:

- proof that I used to be on his health insurance policy

- proof that he's now on mine

- proof that we are both on the same car insurance (in both names)

- tax returns 2004 & 2005 in both names, filed jointly

- proof that I am the beneficiary of his will

- proof that I am the beneficiary of this savings account

- proof that he's the beneficiary of my 401k

Is this going to be enough?? It's funny because it's only now that I realized that my name isn't on any bill and even the credit card is in his name (I am just an authorized user) even though now I pay all the bills...

But we never felt that we needed to change all that for what purpose? Now I know, should have dont it for the USCIS!

Am I going to be ok??

[diadromous mermaid 36]

Hi,

I am about to file the I-751 (I have until end of October) but I am a little worried about my situation. When I met my now husband, he already had a house and all the bills were on his name. When we got married, I just moved in and never cared about adding my names to everything. I didn't have a job and he was paying all the bills anyway. Now I work and I pay all the bills except that they are still in his name.

We don't have joint bank accounts, is it going to be a problem? and if so, do you think we should have one just for filing the petition?

The only things we have are:

- proof that I used to be on his health insurance policy

- proof that he's now on mine

- proof that we are both on the same car insurance (in both names)

- tax returns 2004 & 2005 in both names, filed jointly

- proof that I am the beneficiary of his will

- proof that I am the beneficiary of this savings account

- proof that he's the beneficiary of my 401k

Is this going to be enough?? It's funny because it's only now that I realized that my name isn't on any bill and even the credit card is in his name (I am just an authorized user) even though now I pay all the bills...

But we never felt that we needed to change all that for what purpose? Now I know, should have dont it for the USCIS!

Am I going to be ok??

Many couples choose not to have joint bank accounts, it's just one manner in which to prove a sharing of finances. In your list of evidences I see joint tax returns and that you are named beneficiary of his estate. No one can say with any certainty what the AO will decide of your evidence, naturally, but I'd say those are two principle demonstrative documents. You could provide copies of the bills and a couple of the checks written to show that you share liabilities (you pay utility bills in his name), if you feel it would give you a little more comfort. You could also add affidavits and photos & itineraries of trips you've taken together, or a copy of a lease or mortgage of the residence you share etc...

[mecca 0]

Maybe you can get a letter from the credit card company to affirm that you are an authorized user on the account.

[meauxna 15]

Maybe you can get a letter from the credit card company to affirm that you are an authorized user on the account.

I just printed out the 'account info' page from our cc account to accomplish the same--my bank doesn't offer a "joint account" for credit cards so he's always been an auth user.

OP: I think you have a lot of good evidence; joint banking is not a requirement. Focus on what you can use to replace it. Look for 'social ties' evidence, like Costco or gym memberships, clubs you both belong to etc.