Gigzapper

Chuck here,

I don't get much time to keep up with VJ like Rhean does, but I'm glad y'all are giving here advice on everything she asks about. I wasn not planning on drawing up a pre-nupt then have her look at and sign it. My plan was to sit down and write up what we want in the pre-nupt and hand it to an attorney to write up. Needing only one attorney is cheaper and that way we both know what is going into the agreement.

The reasons I need a pre-nupt were very well described by the responses to this post. I have assets from a previous marraige and ownership in some businesses. Texas law does have several things that specifically can't be in a pre-nupt (child support, infidelity issues etc) and the pre-nupt I was planning was going to be simple - I keep what I started with (including a bunch of debt that she will not be responsible for) and we split the things we earn together after we are married.

I do appreciate all the advice everyone gives here and everyones advice has really helped in all our waiting and processing! - Y'all rock!

Chuck

Call the embassy 888 phone number, it's an automated system and kinda screwy, it says "for english press 2" and pressing 2 basically tells you "we don't do that" and hangs up. Try to do a 3-way conference with your fiancee online to listen and translate the taglish.

Call the 888 number and press 3. Then you have to put in a credit card number to get a PIC code. The pin code is good for 3 phone calls and costs $18. Once you get to a human give the NVC case number and answer thier questions. Once your confirmed and given your financee's email (she is required to have one) then take this time to set up an appointment. The appointment letter will be e-mailed to her with all the information she needs on documents that are required.

They don't mail out the packets any more. Make sure you set the appointment at least a week after the medical exam. You don't really need an appointment for the medical exam - just show up at St Lukes on the right days. it takes 2 days to do.

There is also a "Pre-Departure Seminar" the fiancee will have to attend before flying out also - must e done after the Visa is received and before they fly out. We're just a couple weeks ahead of you in schedule (She just finished her medical exam today! Interviiew on 8th)

After dealing with Western Union and MoneyGram I found they are way too expensive. Go to WalMart (or go online even) and get a WalMart Green Dot card. Get 2 cards - One in the US citizens name (so it's easy to put money on the card (only $3) and one in the foreign Fiancee name. The Finacee can use the ATM (extra $3 per use though) use it like a credit / debit card, pay for Visa fees, medical exam fees and do everything without any fuss. You can get a daily SMS or e-mail with the balance. Once the card arrives in e-mail send to fiance, put money on it by just stopping by WalMart. I found this is a lot cheaper (for the 6 or so months while we're working though the Visa process) and more convenient than using WU or MG.

Hope this helps!

(Just finished medical exam and interview on Oct 8th! Woohoo - almost here!)

Chuck and Rhean