I-864 questions for Retired Joint Sponsor Using Assets

[AbbyD 10]

Hi All,

 

I'm a little confused on the I-864 requirements after reading all the guides. I (petitioner) live abroad and therefore can't count my income. I do have some assets, but they are not enough. We are using my dad as the joint sponsor. He is retired and has no "income" but has more than enough assets. Should I declare any of my assets on my I-864 or leave it completely empty and put all my income and assets as $0, explaining we are using a joint sponsor? Does my mom (married to my dad) have to fill out an I-864A as a household member (dependent on my dad's taxes) even though we are not using any of her assets/income? And does my dad list his household as 2 (he and my mom), as 3 (he, my mom and the immigrant beneficiary) or 4 (he, my mom, the immigrant beneficiary, and myself)? I read that he should include the immigrant beneficiary in his household, but given that the beneficiary is my husband, I am confused as to why I (the petitioner) would not also be a part of the household. Lastly, I have read on several posts here that using assets is way more complicated than income. Does anyone have firsthand experience with this and would you suggest I ask a different family member who is not retired and has sufficient income to be our joint sponsor instead?

 

Thanks in advance!