Question about co-sponsorship

[Family 3,988]

4 minutes ago, sidmando said:

Yes, my mother is very well off. She has very substantial net worth as well as high income (from passive investments). I have no doubt that she would easily be able to meet any financial qualifications. The only question is whether her age might be considered a disqualifying factor.

Just use your mom as Joint Sponsor, her age is NOT an issue. Show moms taxes ( am sure she gets non taxable Social Security Income and maybe other) and add assets if need be. You don’t need to depend on your friend 
 

[JeanneAdil 6,510]

5 minutes ago, sidmando said:

Yes, my mother is very well off. She has very substantial net worth as well as high income (from passive investments). I have no doubt that she would easily be able to meet any financial qualifications. The only question is whether her age might be considered a disqualifying factor.

i meant your assets

 

a Senior of any age could easily loose all assets if the person is stricken by a serious illness that can affect the patient for several years and need hospital,  nursing home or rehab facility/  like cancer care  / its very expensive 

so, yes, her age is easily a factor

 

my brother had a lung transplant and the  surgery and care went into the millions/ now,  she's probably too old for any transplants but still intensive care ,  nursing homes and rehab are for anyone sick enough  and eat at savings and investments fast 

 

Look up a Life estate and think the possibility of one for her/   i just did one so my family inherits my house instead of the government or nursing home

[Family 3,988]

14 minutes ago, sidmando said:

Yes, my mother is very well off. She has very substantial net worth as well as high income (from passive investments). I have no doubt that she would easily be able to meet any financial qualifications. The only question is whether her age might be considered a

For moms I-864, just list as “ income “ anything she gets from Social Security and list her investments as assets , this way you can avoid having to go in circles explaining/ proving the anticipated duration / nature of the passive income. So if her investment are real estate, show deed and estimated market value ( print out Zillow for example )  if they are portfolio stocks show statements. 

[JeanneAdil 6,510]

1 hour ago, Family said:

For moms I-864, just list as “ income “ anything she gets from Social Security and list her investments as assets , this way you can avoid having to go in circles explaining/ proving the anticipated duration / nature of the passive income. So if her investment are real estate, show deed and estimated market value ( print out Zillow for example )  if they are portfolio stocks show statements. 

not just estimated value of property

u need to have the property appraised and any proof of mortgage (or no mortgage)

and USCIS uses the difference 

 

from USCIS site instructions for I 864

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-864instr.pdf

 

You may include the net value of your home as an asset. The net value of the home is the appraised value of the home, minus the sum of any and all loans secured by a mortgage, trust deed, or other lien on the home. If you wish to include the net value of your home, then you must include documentation demonstrating that you own it, a recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser, and evidence of the amount of any and all loans secured by a mortgage, trust deed, or other lien on the home.

 

Item Numbers 5.a. - 5.b. Household Member’s Assets. To use the assets of a relative (spouse, adult son or daughter, parent, or sibling), the relative must reside with you and have completed Form I-864A with accompanying evidence of assets. Form I-864A and accompanying evidence of assets is submitted with Form I-864. Y

[Family 3,988]

12 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

not just estimated value of property

u need to have the property appraised and any proof of mortgage (or no mortgage)

and USCIS uses the difference 

NO APPRAISAL required . Yes Market Value -Encumbrances/Mortgage = Equity, the form gives instructions. 

[Family 3,988]

For Real Estate, It is also good practice to include Annual Property Tax bill ( it shows taxable value and although  usually less than market value, it is of no consequence and higher value will be accorded) 

[SalishSea 17,836]

2 hours ago, sidmando said:

Thank you. That is helpful information. As a follow up, do you know if Medicaid assistance has a maximum amount? For example, if my wife got in a bad car crash, could the co-sponsor be on the hook for unlimited amounts of medical bills, or is there a cap on the amount of assistance provided by Medicaid (and therefore on the potential liability of the co-sponsor)?

Why not find a job that provides excellent health benefits for your family?

 

Unemployment rate in the US is in the record low range.  No reason you cannot get a job that makes it affordable for your beneficiaries to live here.

[JeanneAdil 6,510]

58 minutes ago, Family said:

NO APPRAISAL required . Yes Market Value -Encumbrances/Mortgage = Equity, the form gives instructions. 

Look at the I 864 instructions from the USCIS webpage i quoted

tion

. If you wish to include the net value of your home, then you must include documentation demonstrating that you own it, a recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser, and evidence of the amount of any and all loans secured by a mortgage, trust deed, or other lien on the home.

 

i don't make these things up

it's in the instructions for the I 864 so check out the instructions and read 

Edited May 2, 2022 by JeanneAdil

[sidmando 15]

9 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Why not find a job that provides excellent health benefits for your family?

 

Unemployment rate in the US is in the record low range.  No reason you cannot get a job that makes it affordable for your beneficiaries to live here.

#1: I currently live in Peru with my wife and kids, and my ability to generate income here is limited.
#2: I don't need the money. I am a former (and future) business owner with substantial net worth. I am living off my savings and have plenty to stay afloat for as long as this process takes. I will reopen my business and start generating income again once we are able to move back to the US. (I am aware that I may be able to satisfy the financial requirements by showing liquid assets -- which I have already done on my affidavit of support, but I am concerned that they might not view cash in the bank as an adequate substitute for income. My understanding is that a lot of this is at the discretion of the individual official who is evaluating my application. So it is possible that all of this is academic, if they approve me based purely on my savings.)

[Family 3,988]

My advice is based on work experience w both Consulates and USCIS…and in no way meant to contradict you as I think highly of all who participate / post. Thank you 

[SalishSea 17,836]

3 minutes ago, sidmando said:

#1: I currently live in Peru with my wife and kids, and my ability to generate income here is limited.
#2: I don't need the money. I am a former (and future) business owner with substantial net worth. I am living off my savings and have plenty to stay afloat for as long as this process takes. I will reopen my business and start generating income again once we are able to move back to the US. (I am aware that I may be able to satisfy the financial requirements by showing liquid assets -- which I have already done on my affidavit of support, but I am concerned that they might not view cash in the bank as an adequate substitute for income. My understanding is that a lot of this is at the discretion of the individual official who is evaluating my application. So it is possible that all of this is academic, if they approve me based purely on my savings.)

That is great!   You still need to have a plan in place for health insurance.   The hypothetical car accident scenarios you referenced in your posts could quickly wipe out any savings.

[Klugscheißer 183]

3 hours ago, sidmando said:

I am aware that I may be able to satisfy the financial requirements by showing liquid assets -- which I have already done on my affidavit of support, but I am concerned that they might not view cash in the bank as an adequate substitute for income. My understanding is that a lot of this is at the discretion of the individual official who is evaluating my application. So it is possible that all of this is academic, if they approve me based purely on my savings.

Not exactly the same case and process as yours... but... when we applied for AOS, my husband still had his job and therefore income. By the time we had the interview, he was laid off and we had an updated Affidavit of Support, which ONLY showed his assets. Which were purely savings in his bank and 401k. We got approved on the spot.

[Redro 4,611]

6 hours ago, sidmando said:

#1: I currently live in Peru with my wife and kids, and my ability to generate income here is limited.
#2: I don't need the money. I am a former (and future) business owner with substantial net worth. I am living off my savings and have plenty to stay afloat for as long as this process takes. I will reopen my business and start generating income again once we are able to move back to the US. (I am aware that I may be able to satisfy the financial requirements by showing liquid assets -- which I have already done on my affidavit of support, but I am concerned that they might not view cash in the bank as an adequate substitute for income. My understanding is that a lot of this is at the discretion of the individual official who is evaluating my application. So it is possible that all of this is academic, if they approve me based purely on my savings.)

Tell your friend you are the primary sponsor (he is the joint sponsor).

So, if anything happens to your wife or stepchild YOU are the person who needs to pay up first. 

If your friend doubts your ability to support your family move on to another joint sponsor. 

Try the asset route first. You should get DQ'ed after you submit proof of assets. 

Ask your friend/your mom to fill out the I-864 but don't upload it to CEAC. If you receive a 221g after interview submit either friend or mom's joint sponsor docs. 

 

[pushbrk 12,898]

9 hours ago, Family said:

Just use your mom as Joint Sponsor, her age is NOT an issue. Show moms taxes ( am sure she gets non taxable Social Security Income and maybe other) and add assets if need be. You don’t need to depend on your friend 
 

We are well advised to avoid giving advice solely on the letter of rules or instructions.  Making the public charge decision is a judgment call by Consular Officers (in this case) who are trained well to consider the totality of circumstances.  That the otherwise qualified joint sponsor is already 80, is part of the totality of circumstances.  "Will the sponsor be around to meet the obligations of the contract?" is definitely a legitimate concern.  Best to avoid "elderly" joint sponsors if possible.

 

Back to the worst case scenario.  In general, if the joint sponsor trusts the couple enough to think they are able to and WILL be self supporting, any actual liability risk is very low.  The reality though is that the relationship could fail early, end in divorce, or death of the petitioner, and the immigrant never goes to work, never leaves the USA, and never becomes a Citizen.  That means the joint sponsor's obligations under the contract continue until the immigrant dies.

All that said, we don't hear much about the government going after sponsors or joint sponsors to recover expenses.  It's even a rare instance to hear about a family court judge interpreting the affidavit of support as meaning the immigrant is entitled to 125% of the poverty guideline as alimony or spousal support.

 

This is a judgment call, and in any kind of a "cosigner" type of situation, the cosigner makes their decision based on trust, more than anything else.

[Redro 4,611]

1 hour ago, ROK2USA said:

Tell your friend you are the primary sponsor (he is the joint sponsor).

So, if anything happens to your wife or stepchild YOU are the person who needs to pay up first. 

If your friend doubts your ability to support your family move on to another joint sponsor. 

Try the asset route first. You should get DQ'ed after you submit proof of assets. 

Ask your friend/your mom to fill out the I-864 but don't upload it to CEAC. If you receive a 221g after interview submit either friend or mom's joint sponsor docs. 

 

ETA: I checked your post history as I remember your story. 

I would also have your wife and stepdaughter bring an updated I-864 with proof of assets when they get to interview as you are about to have a new addition (already have one?) to the family! 

Hopefully your wife will be DQ'ed soon. Congrats on your stepdaughter's DQ in early April.

Edited May 3, 2022 by ROK2USA