Cali_D

I think Cathi's post was full of intent. Quite condescending. Yes, already sent a text to my lawyer. We have a meeting tomorrow at 1:00. Sounds like they will refer me to a specialist though. Either way it's a start.

I appreciate those that have helped. And I have been nothing but polite. But the judgment from some of you (especially you) is completely unnecessary. How is the view from that horse high up there? The fact that you reference my job is showing how little you understood my point. I conceded many times that I know nothing about the law, that was my point in mentioning my occupation. I'm sorry to be a little rude in this comment, but you come across as something uncivilized. Be better.

That may be true for the immigration issues, but I don't think you realize how low my lump sum payment was when compared to what she was legally entitled to. It's a drop in the bucket when looked at from my point of view. I am very happy with the outcome. I just wanted her to work to better herself and not be a bum. She has a masters degree in economics and is very capable of succeeding. The original question I asked was not saving me any money.

My lawyer has it, I will have to call tomorrow. If I get an update, I will come back and update this thread. I realize now, that this is a confusing situation. I just assumed it was elementary. If you are wondering, I have a corporate lawyer on retainer for my personal assets and business, this person actually was the one that reached out to the divorce lawyer. I don't even know that person. I mean, we meet, but I don't know them well. So some of this info I got was not direct, some was. Live and learn.

Unrelated question, where is the setting to turn off my signature. Can't find that in the profile settings. P.S. I finally found the quote button. My ad-blocker was hiding it.

Well you are correct, for sure, about 1 thing. I didn't pay attention to what I singed, lol. It's ok. You are probably correct about the rest too, no idea. 🤣

Thank you everyone for your help. I appreciate the info. Looks like I may need to figure out some things with a lawyer.

I am not rejecting, I am just not interested in debate. Also, maybe in my state is higher.. that's what I was told.

Mike, it seems like you want to debate me. I'm sorry if this is becoming conformational for you. I was trying to be friendly and ask a simple question. I'm not going to dig up papers, and I readily admit that I may be wrong.

Totally possible, I run a software company and know nothing about that law.

My divorce lawyer was not an immigration lawyer. However, I did talk to an immigration lawyer (didn't use them). And they told me I had to pay this for the obligation of support for 10 years. Which, he stated was unrelated to my divorce settlement. So that's where I got that info.

Demise, just saw your post (before I replied). Makes sense. Maybe I should call an immigration lawyer.

2k is the amount the government said I must pay, which is 125% above the poverty line. I think everyone that brings in an immigrant agrees to this. Though, the amount is different depending on where you live

No idea where the documents are, and I am not looking. It was from a year ago. I am confused on why you are confused lol. There is nothing usual about it. I thought it was common knowledge that you had to support your immigrant spouse during and after marriage. I found the below article which admittedly may have answered my original question (answer: for life) https://www.justia.com/immigration/marriage-family-based-petitions/i-864-support-and-divorce/

I thought the i-864 affidavit of support was the reason I have to support her for 10 years. I may have the wrong. Whatever the name of the document is, I pay 2k a month for that. This is from the Federal Gov. Not the state. Again, this is NOT related to my divorce settlement.

I did Have a pre-nub, thus my low payout. I don't think you understand. I have nearly 6 million in assets. Much of this is liquid. In the State of CA, she was entitled half of everything we BOTH acquired AFTER marriage. I am not unhappy with the payout. Also, the 2k is not that big of a deal, just didn't like the idea of her being a bum for the rest of her life. LoL Mike, nothing to cite this is what the Federal Government told me I must pay. My paystub reflects this.

Well, I wasn't going to talk about this as it is not related to my original question. I live in California, which means anything we acquire after marriage (huge house) she can claim half of. I bought a 2 million dollar home that has over a million in equity. I kept that. I have over a million in my 401k, I kept that. And I have a lot more in cash and investments. I was super luck with my payment. Again, the 2k a month is in NO WAY related to the large payment. I did have a lawyer, I just never asked my original question. California divorce law and the agreement I made to support her to the Federal government is not connect. The Judge didn't even discuss that. Sorry I caused a stir. I thought my 1 question would be simple to answer. 😀

I had 1 figure wrong. it's 2k a month, not 4k. I just looked at my pay stub. (first time I checked it after divorce). So, I must pay her 2k a month just from the Affidavit of Support. I pay zero alimony because we settled on 250k payout. This large payout is in no way related to my monthly support from Affidavit of Support I signed. This was a divorce settlement. This let me keep my home and 401k which is worth waaaaay more than 250k. Also, no children. And I gave her a Mercedes, which she was using anyway. But I gave it as part of the settlement.

Boiler, Not living free through the Divorce agreement. Well sort of. I gave her 250k in cash as a settlement, and 4k a month is mandated from the I-864. I don't pay any monthly alimony.

I found this on a legal website. "The sponsored immigrant has fulfilled the forty quarters of work defined by the Social Security Administration." I was hoping the fact that she can show income for several years, would count towards those 10 years.

CrazyCat .... (not sure how to quote you) If she doesn't want to become a US citizen, can I force the issue legally? She has no reason to change anything. She lives here for free.

It sounds like I may be able to count the time I have supported her. We got her a social security number immediately when coming in the US and I put her on my tax returns each year. I am guessing those count.

Wow. So that fact that I pay her thousands of dollars every month means she will never need to work, and therefore I will pay forever. Great.

I'm confused. I thought I had to support her for 10 years or 40 quarters? If this is wrong, can you explain what the 40 quarters is all about? Are you saying SHE has to work for 40 quarters?

Question(s): I just want to know about the affidavit of support ( I-864). I know you must support your spouse for 40 quarters or 10 years. When does the clock start for that 10 years? I was married for 4 years (to an immigrant on a k-1 visa), we have been divorced now for 1 year. When does the 40 quarters of support start? Do I count the time we were married? Do I have 5 more years or support (counting married time) or 9 more years of support (starting from divorced date)? More info: Ex-wife (immigrant) did not work during marriage and still does not work. For this question, assume she will not remarry or leave the country permanently, as I realize this ends the need for support.