Cali_D

Just under 2 years (or about) remaining on the (at least) 10 years or 40 quarters.. ok, this time I am really going... cheers. 

Not going to reply to each person.. I'll just try to answer a few questions.. 
 
The large payout of 250k has absolutely nothing to do with the I-864. Nothing. Zero. Forget about it. It's not a factor when determining how much she should be paid per I-864 guidelines.  That payout was a divorce settlement. As explained several times, these are 2 very different issues. 
 
I don't know if the amount will ever increase but it can, that depends on my ex. It's actually just under 2k. Regardless, for the amount to increase, my ex would need to take me to court (unless I just agree) and a judge would decide if it would increase. And, I can 100% tell you, YES it would increase. I would lose because I am bound to support her for 10 years. That's the law. 
 
Something my lawyer told me today that I think might be helpful to everyone .. The document is not the most important part of understanding the law, the interpretation of the document is the most important thing. Many judges have given their interpretation of this through case law. So, if you want to understand the law, you really need to look at how judges have ruled and interpreted documents. This is why we have a US Supreme court and State Supreme courts. 
 
So in ALL cases taken to federal and state court (in CA and others), the court determined the I-864 means you will pay directly to your spouse (if they so choose) for 10 years. There is no getting around it. Even with a prenuptial agreement. 
 

I don't understand what you mean. My current agreement does match the requirements of the I-864. It says I will pay her in accordance to the I-864 guidelines, which is what everyone agrees to when signing that document. This is what everyone doesn't seem to understand. 
 
To be clear: the I-864 legally binds anyone who signs it to pay DIRECTLY to the person you sponsor. 
 
Given that, I'm not sure what you are asking?

I don't understand what you mean. My current agreement does match the requirements of the I-864. It says I will pay her in accordance to the I-864 guidelines, which is what everyone agrees to when signing that document. This is what everyone doesn't seem to understand. 
 
To be clear: the I-864 legally binds anyone who signs it to pay DIRECTLY to the person you sponsor. 
 
Given that, I'm not sure what you are asking?

I don't understand what you mean. My current agreement does match the requirements of the I-864. It says I will pay her in accordance to the I-864 guidelines, which is what everyone agrees to when signing that document. This is what everyone doesn't seem to understand. 
 
To be clear: the I-864 legally binds anyone who signs it to pay DIRECTLY to the person you sponsor. 
 
Given that, I'm not sure what you are asking?

Yes, I started paying this out a little before the divorce was settled as instructed by the lawyer. The time starts at that moment, assuming I have not missed any payments, which I guess I haven't as my finance people do all that. 

Perhaps, though I have an update that is going to do a 180 on all this, lol... standby. 

Perhaps, though I have an update that is going to do a 180 on all this, lol... standby. 

Update on this issue.
 
Please note, if you are one of the few rude people, please don't bother replying. If you are of helpful type, thank you.  I don't want this to turn into a debate, which some people on these forums can't help but do. I obviously have no understanding of immigration law, nor have I ever pretended to. Please keep your judgments to yourself. Thank you. 
 
I contacted my business lawyer last week, naturally they had no idea about any of this, so they referred me to a immigration lawyer. The immigration lawyer confirmed that what most of you are saying is correct, that the I-864 binds me to pay the government, not my ex (my sponsor). However, where many people were incorrect is, the amount I am obliged to pay (if any) is certainly localized to the area in which they live. This is not important, just thought I would mention it. 
 
The reason I was paying directly to my ex is because she was smart (or tricky?) and added some odd language about the I-864 to the dissolution of marriage and the local court had no idea what an I-864 document was. We think, they assumed it was some sort of spousal support agreement because my divorce agreement does say I will pay for the I-864. The judge in the divorce court, myself and my divorce lawyer didn't realize this meant I pay the government, if they request it and not my sponsor (ex-wife). 
 
So, the issue is now getting my divorce agreement amended. This is my next task and the immigration lawyer didn't know anything about that process. So now I will go back the divorce lawyer and ask them. The immigration lawyer did say I may consider using a contracts lawyer in conjunction with a divorce lawyer. 
 
3 layers for this so far and maybe a 4th! lol, crazy.  🤪
 

Update on this issue.
 
Please note, if you are one of the few rude people, please don't bother replying. If you are of helpful type, thank you.  I don't want this to turn into a debate, which some people on these forums can't help but do. I obviously have no understanding of immigration law, nor have I ever pretended to. Please keep your judgments to yourself. Thank you. 
 
I contacted my business lawyer last week, naturally they had no idea about any of this, so they referred me to a immigration lawyer. The immigration lawyer confirmed that what most of you are saying is correct, that the I-864 binds me to pay the government, not my ex (my sponsor). However, where many people were incorrect is, the amount I am obliged to pay (if any) is certainly localized to the area in which they live. This is not important, just thought I would mention it. 
 
The reason I was paying directly to my ex is because she was smart (or tricky?) and added some odd language about the I-864 to the dissolution of marriage and the local court had no idea what an I-864 document was. We think, they assumed it was some sort of spousal support agreement because my divorce agreement does say I will pay for the I-864. The judge in the divorce court, myself and my divorce lawyer didn't realize this meant I pay the government, if they request it and not my sponsor (ex-wife). 
 
So, the issue is now getting my divorce agreement amended. This is my next task and the immigration lawyer didn't know anything about that process. So now I will go back the divorce lawyer and ask them. The immigration lawyer did say I may consider using a contracts lawyer in conjunction with a divorce lawyer. 
 
3 layers for this so far and maybe a 4th! lol, crazy.  🤪
 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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.  

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 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. 

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 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.