help for the fried mind

[CutienPurg 0]

Hey Gang!!!

So yeah , I've been AWOL.........life got crazier , if anyone imagined that was possible. Following my son's death our marriage got REALLY rocky......even considered throwing it in. Then 3 weeks ago my mom died after a very long long struggle with rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure and multiple major strokes. It was a blessing for her and Im very happy for her to have ended her struggle and misery ........I miss her greatly though.

Now we seem to be back on track and headed in a better direction......day by day ya know. My husband has his CR-1 interview on Dec 6. All the research and learning I had done in the past seems to have escaped me and I can't gather enough info to answer my own questions ...........so I beg to the masses for help.

~ we sent all of the originals to the NVC and they have acknowledged that in the interview letter. We did NOT obtain multiple copies of original docs although we do have photocopies. How much of a problem could that be come interview time?

~we opted to use my husbands Canadian Forces pension as part of our I-864 package. The NVC requested that we bring to the interview a copy of my husband's US tax return or a letter stating why he wasn't required to file. That's not an issue as much as proving how he receives his pension and how we change it into US funds. We have an RBC Centura account connected to our RBC account where the pension is direct deposited. Would the bank statements be adequate to prove the source of the income ?

~ I have concerns about the consulate not allowing my husband's pension as viable income for his support as it happened to others here. If it is not acceptable then the income I listed on the I-864 will fall short by about $1000.00. I did not include income from child support and I did not include my cash assets (which will account for any shortfall) on the I-864. Should we complete an amended aos or just simply take along any additional income/assets source info? Also what about RRSPs are those acceptable assets/sources of income for the purpose of support? My husband just recently dumped a load of cash into his to avoid paying the taxes on his severance package........much to my chagrin.

~ medical exam ...........he had his medical done on March 20th 2007 for his k-3 and we did obtain a photocopy of the results. Will those same results be acceptable for this interview as well? Or will he require a 2nd exam?The results are obviously not in a sealed envelope as requested for the interview......Will the consulate have his file from the k-3 interview?

In closing I just wanted to add congrats to all of you who have had success at any milestone of this crazy journey.

Thanks for any help that can be offered

Andrea

[Krikit 1,163]

Awwww. So sorry to hear about your Mom's passing, Andrea. What a rough time you've had. I'm not surprised your marriage got rocky. But it's nice to hear that you are working through it. God bless.

(Sorry I can't help.)

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Andrea...

You don't know me, I've only been on VJ for about just over a month or so but I want you to know that your Son's story touched me so much. I'm here in tears. My brother is Cory's age.

I'm so sorry about your loss.

Also, may your Mom RIP. What a hard and challenging time for you and your family. I wish you much strength and courage.

Hugs

Laura

P.S. I can't help either...I know someone will know the answers to your questions.

[~Nini~ 2]

I was wondering in the back of my mind how you were getting along. Thanks for letting us know how you've been - *big hugs!* to you and our condolences.

Glad that things are getting better, day by day. Life is a beautiful struggle, so keep your chin up.

Now, where is the knowledgeable trailmix hiding...

Edited November 16, 2007 by Nini & Bee

[lynamon 0]

Hey CutienPurg ... it's really nice to see you around ... would love to help you with your questions .. unfortunately I am no wealth of knowledge ... if you don't get the info that you require, what I would do is bring everything that you have and upon their request for additional information you can provide it at such time and if you don't have it I'm sure that they will give you time to obtain what you require ... my condolences on the passing of you mother

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I'm sorry to hear of your mother's passing but glad to hear things seem to be stabilizing between you and your husband. Good luck at the interview; I hope you get the information you need before you get there. I believe that since his medical was done less than a year ago the results should be fine and you would not require a second. If they had the results for the K-3, they probably don't need for them to be re-submitted.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Hey cutenburgy, been thinking of ya! Glad to hear your on the up swing! Were always here to listen.

[trailmix 77]

Hi Cutienpurg,

Good to hear from you and to know that things are now going better for you

~ we sent all of the originals to the NVC and they have acknowledged that in the interview letter. We did NOT obtain multiple copies of original docs although we do have photocopies. How much of a problem could that be come interview time?

We don't even have photocopies You don't need more originals, they will return yours to you at the interview, they don't request that you bring any.

~we opted to use my husbands Canadian Forces pension as part of our I-864 package. The NVC requested that we bring to the interview a copy of my husband's US tax return or a letter stating why he wasn't required to file. That's not an issue as much as proving how he receives his pension and how we change it into US funds. We have an RBC Centura account connected to our RBC account where the pension is direct deposited. Would the bank statements be adequate to prove the source of the income ?

~ I have concerns about the consulate not allowing my husband's pension as viable income for his support as it happened to others here. If it is not acceptable then the income I listed on the I-864 will fall short by about $1000.00. I did not include income from child support and I did not include my cash assets (which will account for any shortfall) on the I-864. Should we complete an amended aos or just simply take along any additional income/assets source info? Also what about RRSPs are those acceptable assets/sources of income for the purpose of support? My husband just recently dumped a load of cash into his to avoid paying the taxes on his severance package........much to my chagrin.

Colin Wilson attempted to use his Canadian pension income. It was not allowed at the interview and he ended up getting a co-sponsor. His post about it is here. I don't know about the RRSP's - the thing is, where they speak about assets on the I-864 it reads as though as long as the asset can be converted in to cash within 1 year it should be ok, but there is obviously more to it that isn't explained to us.

I would make up an amended I-864 to cover your bases. I would include your cash assets and child support (I assume the child support appears on your tax return). We used some cash and simply sent in a statement to NVC, from our bank manager saying this is the balance. We didn't send any statements but the official word is:

"Bank statements covering the last 12 months, or a statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institution in which the sponsor has deposits, including deposit/withdrawal history for the last 12 months, and current balance"

It also can't hurt to take the bank statements for your Husband's pension deposits and RRSP account, even though you won't include it on the new I-864.

~ medical exam ...........he had his medical done on March 20th 2007 for his k-3 and we did obtain a photocopy of the results. Will those same results be acceptable for this interview as well? Or will he require a 2nd exam?The results are obviously not in a sealed envelope as requested for the interview......Will the consulate have his file from the k-3 interview?

This I'm not sure about but I agree with kathryn that it should be fine.

Hope this helps!

[Delicia 1]

Actually, child support is non taxable to the the recipient in the U.S. and is not reportable by the recipient on tax returns nor is it deductible by the obligator (the one that pays it out). Alimony is a different story, but who receives alimony anymore anyway?

Edited November 16, 2007 by Delicia

[trailmix 77]

Good point Delicia. Anyway, according to the instructions on the I-864 you can use it. For the sponsor's annual income, item 23, you can include child support and just need to include evidence:

Reference to this can be found in the instructions, page 7 - item 23:

"If your claimed income includes alimony, child support, dividend or interest income, or income from any other source, you may also include evidence of that income".

[Misty1979 0]

Hi CutieNPurg I'm sorry to hear about everything your family has been going through the last little while. I think what some of the others have posted sounds like pretty good advice regarding the interview. My situation is a little complicated too, so I as well am going ahead with an entirely new I-864 and just holding my breath to hope it all goes smoothly:) Sounds like everything is in place for you though, so I'm sure you'll be fine.

On a side note, Comelly and I will also be at the Consulate that day interviewing for our CR1's, so at least you'll have some fellow VJ'ers there to have your back!

Congrats on your interview date, and you and your family are in our prayers

[Carlawarla 1]

So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. I'm glad to hear that you and your husband are weathering all the changes and loss in your lives. The future holds such promise when there is love. Sorry, I can't help with your questions. Just wanted to say that it's nice to hear from you, and good luck with the Consulate visit.

Carla

[misa 2]

Andrea... ****HUGS****

[Mephys 2]

I am not much help either

Just a thought for you These times are hard for you, and I hope you will be better.

[CutienPurg 0]

Thanks everyone for the hugs, the thoughts and the advice!!!!

I emailed the consulate regarding the medical and they quickly responded........i know WOW!!!!

They said the photocopy of the medical would be sufficient as long as the medical exam was done within the past year .......so we're good there.

I think what we'll do concerning the financials is to obtain a certified letter from the ex hub saying he pays child support in the amount of xxx.xx ( since we dont have a court order) .....turns out im $282.00 short for the year **sigh**

The b.s. thing about Montreal and the pension deal , is they're making their own rules. The same income from pensions that they won't allow to be used for support , is the same income that would exempt a person from receiving federal means tested benefits.So it's a load of #######.

anyway.....that's that , guess we'll see where this gets us.

Again , thanks everyone for the wishes and the help.

Andrea