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Pakistan Civil Documents for US Immigration Purposes
fickeymartinez • Jul 01, 2022
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This Blog Post will focus on Pakistan Documents that are required for US Immigration Purposes. The process to acquire such documents will also be explained as best as possible below.
Please note: Our Law Firm does not assist in acquiring foreign civil documents, rather we provide this information to assist our clients in acquiring their documents, as it may be confusing.
The four (4) Main Pakistan Documents are:
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce Certificate
- Certificate of Non-Conviction (Police Certificate)
If Acquiring an Immigrant Visa (e.g. K1 Fiance Visa or Spousal Visa) at the US Embassy in Islamabad , the following link is the Embassy Instructions and Document Checklist for the Visa Interview: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/ISL-Islamabad.html
The following are drop-down sections to help you more easily navigate and find what you are looking for:
Birth Certificate
Document Name: Birth certificate, Child Registration Certificate
Acceptable Issuing Authority:
- Local Union Councils
- Municipal Corporations
- the Office of the Cantonment Board
- the CDA
- In larger cities, such as Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi etc., Municipal Corporation-issued birth certificates prior to 2001 are also acceptable.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants must visit their local Union Council, fill out a form, and provide identification.
Alternate Documents: In lieu of a birth certificate, Pakistanis often use Child Registration Certificates or Family Registration Certificates (FRC), which list all family members and document each member’s relationship to the other.
Note: Birth certificates can be in either English or Urdu with English translation.
Marriage Certificate
Pakistani Muslim:
- Must present both an original, signed Nikah Nama (with its English translation) and a NADRA-issued marriage registration certificate. Note that while both documents reflect similar information, each on its own does not constitute sufficient proof of marriage.
Non-Muslim (Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, and others):
- Must present only a marriage certificate issued by their respective religious authority (i.e. a church or temple), since Union Councils do not uniformly issue NADRA certificates to non-Muslims.
Citizens of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Afghans living in Pakistan:
- must also only present a marriage certificate issued by religious authorities, as Union Councils do not issue NADRA certificates to these groups.
Procedure for Obtaining: Muslim applicants can obtain an Urdu-language Nikah Nama from the Nikah Registrar. Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus, and other non-Muslim applicants can obtain marriage certificates from their local religious authorities.
Divorce Certificate
Document Name: Khula, Talaq, and Divorce Certificate
Divorce Process:
Pakistani divorce laws for Muslims are governed by the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance (MFLO). While the laws are complicated, all procedures set forth by the MFLO must be followed for divorces to be recognized for immigration purposes. In general, couples seeking a divorce must submit a written notification to the Union Council of the wife’s residence, after which an Arbitration Council is formed to foster reconciliation between both parties over a 90-day period. A divorce is finalized if the couple fails to reconcile at the end of this 90-day period.
Procedure for Obtaining:
Talaq:
Muslim divorces in Pakistan are subject to arbitration, and the process of divorce differs depending on whether it is initiated by the husband (Talaq) or the wife (Khula). For men initiating a divorce, husbands must verbally “divorce” their wife by pronouncing ‘talaq.’ As soon as possible, the divorcing husband must then give written notification to the Union Council where the wife resides or where the wedding took place. Within 30 days of receipt of the notice of Talaq, the Union Council Chairman must constitute an Arbitration Council in order to see if reconciliation is possible between the husband and wife. After the Council convenes, it must issue notices to both parties every month for three months in an attempt to foster reconciliation. After three months (90 days), either party may request a failure of reconciliation certificate from the Union Council/Arbitration Council, upon which date the divorce is considered final and valid. (For more information, refer to Section 7 of the MFLO.)
Note that a divorce in Pakistan is only considered valid at the end of this 90-day period, assuming the parties have failed to reconcile. Neither party may remarry (in Pakistan or elsewhere) until this 90-day period has passed and the divorce is finalized. The Union Council divorce certificate – typically handwritten – will indicate if the divorce was a Talaq (initiated by the husband) or Khula (by the wife – see below). In recent years, Union Councils have begun to produce NADRA divorce certificates. If a NADRA-issued divorce certificate is provided for an older divorce, the original Union Council certificate should also be provided. The specific form for the Union Council certificate will vary by location. In all cases, copies of the arbitration notices should be available upon request.
Khula:
There are two possible procedures for Muslim women to obtain a Khula divorce. First, a husband can grant his wife the right of divorce by stating “yes” on line 18 of the Nikah Nama (which is rare). If this right is granted, the wife follows the same procedure as the Talaq process described above. If the wife is not granted this right, she must first bring her case to a Family Court to request the right to initiate a divorce. If her suit is successful, the Family Court must submit its decision to the Union Council within seven days. The Union Council will then initiate the Arbitration Council and follow the same procedures described above. In reality, however, the Family Court often does not inform the Union Council of its decision. If the court grants the divorce but does not notify the Union Council, it is incumbent upon the wife to do so herself in order for the divorce to be valid. Once the wife notifies the Union Council, the same procedure as for Talaq is followed. If the parties reconcile during the arbitration process, however, the court decision will be null and void, and the couple will remain married.
SPECIAL NOTE ON REMARRYING THE SAME PERSON: If a husband and wife divorced and subsequently wish to remarry each other, the wife must have married another person in the interim and that intervening marriage must be legally terminated by proper divorce proceedings or death. The interim marriage must be consummated and represent a bona fide relationship, according to Section 7 of the MFLO.
Divorce Certificate:
Procedures for properly executing an Ahmadi, Christian, Hindu, or Parsi divorce differ. Typically, divorce certificates for these sects are issued by a Family Court after the filing of a legal case and are not generally registered with the local authorities.
Alternate Documents: In most cases, NADRA-issued divorce registration certificates are acceptable substitutes for Union Council-issued divorce certificates. Divorces documented on rupee paper are not acceptable for immigration purposes unless they are supplemented by an official certificate.
Certificate of Non-Conviction (Police Certificate)
Unavailable. Pakistan does not have a nationwide system to track criminal activities. Police Character Certificates are available for a fee from District Coordinating Offices. However, they are not an accurate reflection of an individual’s criminal record. An applicant who has committed a crime in one district may be able to obtain a clean Character Certificate from that district or another. Given the inaccuracy of these certificates, they are not required for consular processing.
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This Blog Post will cover the topic that receives "mixed reviews" from J1 Physicians: the CONRAD 30 WAIVER PROGRAM. A Physician that has the J1 2-year Home Residency Requirement (aka Restriction) has generally heard about this waiver option. Some Physicians like the program because progresses their career and keeps them in the United States, which can pay higher or have better benefits that abroad. However, other may dislike it because: Rural Living/Placement Lower Pay from current area of employment Less opportunities for J2 Family Members The State they DO WANT TO LIVE IN has already capped out the CONRAD 30 Positions Now, CONRAD 30 is an option, and the reality is: IT IS AN UNDERUSED OPTION. Common medical professionals, such as (not an exhaustive list): Anesthesiologist Cardiologist Family physician Gastroenterologist Neurologist Obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYNs) Oncologist Pediatrician Radiologist Surgeon Urologist May want to reconsider this J1 Waiver Option. The CONRAD 30 does have three (3) main requirements, which give the most concern to Physicians: MUST acquire a NO OBJECTION STATEMENT from their home country (this is something our office has assisted with for nearly a decade), BUT doctors are a prized commodity and the foreign government may really really really want you to return. MUST sign a contract and MUST thereafter complete 3 years under the H-1B Program from the Health Department or Rural Placement. MUST complete the other CONRAD 30 Program Requirements. The Numbers: The Term/Title: UNDERUSED, that was not an exaggeration or play on words. Statistically, of the 1500 Conrad 30 Positions available every year, only 880 to 1167 (statistics taken over a 5 year period). CONRAD 30 is generally unable to place 1/3 of its available positions with Physicians. ( Source ) As an Immigration Law Firm that assists many types of J1 Professionals, I would recommend looking at the less "frequented" states. Colorado , a beautiful state with nearly 6 million people ALMOST NEVER FILLS THEIR CONRAD 30 POSITIONS. If I was a J1 Physician, and I was heavily considering this J1 Waiver, I would go to a place where there is no competition, like Colorado . (Opinion of an immigration attorney). Here is a link to help guide you . In reality, 1/3 of the positions are available/unused. If a J1 physician needs a waiver, maybe consider looking outside of your geographical area because opportunities are available, if you look elsewhere. If you have questions or need assistance with the No objection Statement, please schedule a consultation with our immigration attorney. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
This blog post will cover the two main waiver types common for J1 Public School Teachers: No Objection Statement (NOS) and Exceptional Hardship. What many don't know are the actual statistics for J1 Visa Holders. Some might look at the below DOS Waiver Review Statistics, and think, I have a GREAT chance for success:
With the USCIS Fee Increases that occurred on April 1, 2024, USCIS Filings will be rejected, refused, returned to unknowing filers. The filings will be returned with a template letter stating template-terms such as: Incorrect Fee Payment Incorrect Form Editions Insufficient Funds The fact of the matter would be that the USCIS Filing is rejected and the new fee would be required. The next question is: what should you do next? Should you look online and pay the new fees? Our office would recommend stepping back and reviewing the entire filing. Eligibility must be confirmed. Supporting documents must be confirmed. Form Editions must be confirmed. These topics will be discussed below. Topic: Eligibility Most (Minor) USCIS Filings are now available online at USCIS.GOV. The online system does a great job at screening eligibility and raising red flags when something is amiss. However, the paper filings do not have the same luxury. Over 550,000 applicants file for the (Major) I-485 Adjustment of Status each year. Over 50k spousal filings, 15k fiance filings, 3k child/step-child filings, and 50k parent filings all pursue Adjustment of Status through the USCIS Agency. These filings are riddled with RFEs, experience 1-5 years processing times, denials on eligibility for part or all of the filings and supplemental filings, and straight-up confusion. Some of the most common issues affecting eligibility are as follows: US Citizen has a low taxable income affecting sponsorship Immigrant has a visa violation(s) affecting inadmissibility The underlying relationship ends and US Residence ceases A consult with an immigration attorney can help alleviate this concern. Alternatively, our office has some guides to target eligibility: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/can-i-apply-for-a-j1-waiver-simultaneously-with-my-green-card-filing https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/adjustment-of-status/understanding-adjustment-of-status-movements-around-the-nation-raleigh-durham-processing https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/adjustment-of-status/joint-bona-fide-documents-how-to-start-meeting-the-uscis-i-130-evidence-requirement-for-a-marriage https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/va-disability-and-us-immigration https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-864-self-employment-and-business-ownership https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-864-sponsorship-how-is-ssi-and-ssdi-assessed Topic: Supporting Documents Supporting documents are mandatory with any USCIS Filing. The main documents not normally provided are: valid birth certificates with english translation proof of relationship proof of financials/income/taxes A consult with an immigration attorney can help alleviate this concern. Alternatively, our office has some resources to target eligibility: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/immigration-checklist-what-our-law-office-generally-recommends https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/our-guidance-on-many-frequent-foreign-birth-certificates Topic: Form Editions DO NOT rely on the expiration date on the top right corner of the USCIS Forms. DO NOT! The USCIS Forms almost always state a form is valid for 2 years after creation. However, some forms can update ever 6-12 months. Check the the USCIS Website, regarding the specific form and the edition date information (as it will also state if prior editions are still be accepted). Where do you verify the USCIS Filing Fee? The G-1055 is the main source to verify USCIS Filing Fees. Conclusion If you have addressed the above three topics, you are ready to re-submit. If you receive a second rejection, it is time to probably consult with an immigration attorney. Just know, USCIS Filing Fees, for instance the $2955 for a full AOS Filing, are expensive. If the AOS is ultimately denied, paying the fees a second time will feel more painful. Our office has frequently assisted with filers that have been denied once, twice, three time in the past. If you'd like to schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney, consider our office. We can assist regardless of state you country you reside in. Our office/attorney Biography can be seen here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/team Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
Teachers are always in demand. They are needed in the public schools, they are needed in the private and religious schools, and they are needed in Native American schools. J-1 Teachers are highly educated and experienced. However, most J-1s have a 2 year home residency requirement, that prevents them from applying for an H-1B Visa and a Green Card after their J-1 Program expires. A school located on a Native American Land, may be a positive alternative for J-1 Teachers. What is a Native American School? There are 183 Bureau-funded elementary and secondary schools, composed of 53 Bureau of Indian Education schools and and 130 Tribally Controlled Schools. The Schools are located on 64 reservations in 23 states, and serves approximately 46,000 Indian students. Tribally Controlled and Bureau Operated School is a distinction that aids with the J-1 IGA Waiver. What is the benefit of the IGA Waiver? The School that is need of a school teacher is able to assist in the J-1 Waiver as an "Interest Government Agency." The Waiver could allow them to remove the restriction and pursue an H-1B Teacher Visa. The Bureau of Indian Education, as well as possibly the Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Where can I locate Native American School - Teacher Position Openings? The Bureau of Indian Education posts openings on their website, located here: https://www.bie.edu/current-vacancies If you have questions regarding the J1 Waiver, you can set up a consult with our office. NOTE: Another alternative for J-1 Teachers requiring the waiver may be R-1 Visas for Teachers in Religious Schools. More information found here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/r1-visa-for-school-teachers-at-religious-private-schools-an-alternative-to-the-h-1b-visa Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
An "unacceptable" No Objection Statement from the foreign government or foreign Embassy or Consulate used to be a rare occurrence. In 2024, this issue has been appearing more frequently and by many different countries. The following might be prompts bringing you to this blog post: The DOS Waiver Status states "No Objection (Unacceptable)" The Embassy/Consulate emailed a courtesy letter with incorrect data The Embassy/Consulate emailed a courtesy letter with poor print quality What should I do? The DOS Waiver Review Division would receive the letter and mark it as unacceptable. They would automatically notify the appropriate Embassy or Consulate on the error. The Embassy or Consulate can take a few weeks or months to correct their error. Should I email the Waiver Review Division at 212ewaiver@state.gov ? You can, but responses can take 1-2 months and it would not affect the case as DOS would act immediately on their own and the case status would update as soon as the foreign government corrects their error. If you have questions regarding the J1 Waiver and what to expect next, you can set up a consult with our office. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
An Arranged Marriage is very traditional to India. From the US Perspective, it may have a negative connotation, portrayed as an unusual arrangement, portrayed as a relationship devoid of love, and even a forced marriage. Arranged Marriages can be conducted through parents that are familiar with one another, or through the services of a Matchmaker or Sima Taparia. However, arranging a marriage is also not uncommon in the US. Hometowns commonly have parents know one another, and the children are invited to family gatherings and parties. A simple introduction or exchanging children's contact information can lead to dating and a marriage. The term "arranged marriage" might feel foreign in the US, but a good spouse from a good family is a good practice. A dating period of one month or six months or 1 year might be short for some people. However, love is love, and newly webs also desire to be together. The focus of the US Government is to look for: the spark of love and plans/dreams to be together forever the absence of force or coercion between the spouses This blog post will address how this cultural process, the arranging of marriage, is handled by USCIS and the US Immigration process. Focus 1: Proving the Relationship A relationship is reviewed by USCIS in the I-130 Petition of an Alien Relative. The I-130 process asks for copious amounts of evidence (a deep dive into common marital evidence one can provide can be seen here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/adjustment-of-status/bona-fide-marriage-evidence-how-many-photos-does-uscis-want-with-an-i-130-filing ). However, for arranged marriages, the common documents that should be provided in the filing are: plane tickets to visit one another (physical presence is important) communication records (talking is important) Photos together (smiles and happiness is important) Items like joint bank accounts, deeds together, leases together, bills together, those items are common for boyfriends and girlfriends in the US, but they can create financial stress to a young relationship. Divorce is high in the US for many factors, financial being a high factor. However, in an arranged marriage, the finances are a little removed, allowing the young couple to focus on: personality, hobbies, and dreaming of a future together. There are perks of focusing the spouses' attentions to what really matters. Evidences, such as those that focus on financial documents, are less important if they do not exist. Focus 2: Timeline A young relationship may only be a few weeks or a few months old at time of the arranged marriage and starting the I-130 petition. The I-130 filing does take a few months to over 1 year to process. During this processing, the relationship grows, it blossoms, love becomes deeper, dreams become reality, and a strong relationship forms. New Marital Evidence can be supplemented and added to an I-130 filing to strengthen it before it is ever reviewed by a USCIS Officer. Focus 3: Marriage in India The US Embassy System does provide the following information regarding marriage in India: https://in.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/marriage/ As long as the marriage is properly recorded, the US Government generally accepts the marriage certificate for immigration purposes. Breakdown of the CR-1/IR-1 Spousal Immigrant Process: A Spousal Immigrant Visa can take 1 of 2 forms: CR-1 or IR-1. The difference is the length of the marriage at the time of the Visa Interview. For marriages under 2 years, a CR-1 is provided. For marriages over 2 years, an IR-1 is provided. A CR-1 creates a 2-year Conditional Green Card, whereas the IR-1 creates a 10-year unconditional Green Card. For arranged marriages, the CR-1 Visa is more common when the I-130 is started shortly after marriage. However, if the process does take too long, the filing would automatically change to IR-1. What happens after a 2-year Green Card? An I-751 filing occurs, which allows USCIS to confirm the marriage was with love and allows USCIS to issue a 10-year Green Card or US Citizenship. There are three agencies involved in the CR-1/IR-1 process: USCIS NVC DOS (Embassy/Consulate Division) All three agencies serve a purpose and have particular requirements. Most consider the process as a 2-step process, but a better Step-by-Step Process can be seen here: Part 1 – Petition to Recognize the Relationship – Submit the I-130 Electronically Part 2 – Waiting Period – I-130 Pending awaiting a USCIS Officer to review the filing and supporting documents Part 3 – NVC Processing – Visa fees are paid online, DS-260 is completed, and supporting documents are uploaded. Part 4 – Consulate Interview – NVC provides Mumbai Interview day and time, Consulate Account Registered, Medical Performed, Documents Organized, and Interview Attended. Part 5 – Arrive in the US – Pay the Immigrant Fee, Fly to the United States, Apply/Receive US Social Security Card, and Receive a Green Card in the mail within 3 months after entry. The Mumbai Consulate (New Dehli does not issue immigrant visas at this time) provides the following instructions for consular interviews: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/BMB-Mumbai.html Foreign (Indian) Documents requirements can be seen here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/India.html and an overall document checklist from our office can be seen here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/immigration-checklist-what-our-law-office-generally-recommends/ If you would like a consultation for your immigration filing, please contact our office to set up a consultation with our Immigration Attorney. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
This is a simple breakdown of the amount someone pays on their federal income taxes. Math isn't everyone's strong suit, but income and profit need to be understood at a basic level. For starter, when most hear the term "tax bracket," they immediate thing of percentage of taxes they will owe the IRS at the end of the year. Numbers or percentages like the following fill the imagination: 10% 12% 22% 24% 32% 35% 37% If someone earns $100k a year, they fear the 22% tax bracket because that is $22k of $100k. However, simply put, the tax bracket operates is steps or phases. For example, in 2024, a Married Couple that has a household income of $100k, would see the following tax brackets: The first $23,200 would be taxed at 10% (i.e. $2,320) The next $71,100 of income up to $94300 would be taxed at 12% (i.e. $8,532) The next $5,700 (to make $100k) of income up to $201,050 would be taxed at 22% (i.e. $1254) So, the overall federal income tax would be $12, 106 versus the general belief of $22k at 22%. Another example may be helpful, but this time a married couple that that has a household income in 2024 at $250k. The bracket breakdown would be as follows: The first $23,200 would be taxed at 10% (i.e. $2,320) The next $71,100 of income up to $94,300 would be taxed at 12% (i.e. $8,532) The next $106,750 of income up to $201,050 would be taxed at 22% (i.e. $23,485) The next $48,950 (to make $250k) of income up to $383,900 would be taxed at 24% (i.e. $11,748) So, the overall federal income tax would be $46,085 versus the general belief of $60k at 24%. A visual may help understand the bracket layout:
Sometimes, our pets are like our family. They are our best friends, there are always eager to see us, and they are a part of our family since their birth most of the time. The thought may pop into your head: what is going to happen to my beloved pet when I pass? Is a friend or family member going to take care of them? Are they going to go to the pound when I pass and eventually be put down? In NC, this worry is very common and a law was created to support and address this concern: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-4-408 A "Pet Trust," also known as a "Animal Care Trust," allows for the pet owner to set up the means to care for their pet (dog, cat, snake, bird, lizard, fish, turtle, guinea pig, rabbit, chicken, rats, hamster, horse, etc.), throughout the pets lifetime and then whatever remains from the trust, can be directed to someone else or a charity. The first focus on considering a pet trust is: who do you trust to take care of the pet? and, who would you trust with money after you are gone? A close friend or family member are ideal people to appoint for administering the trust funds. The second focus is how much do you want the trust to cover? A Pet Trust can cover all of the following: Daily food for the pet Daycare costs of boarded for the day or during long vacations Groomer fees Dog or obedience school fees Veterinarian fees even, cremation and funeral services In North Carolina, a pet trust can be set up affordably and be set up in many different ways. The most ideal way is the set it up while alive, so you know all of the details on how the pet will be cared for after your passing. How do you get started? Contact an estate attorney to review your assets, liabilities, and overall retirement plan. The estate attorney can explain the process, assist with creating the trust, they may act as your trustee or help in trustee selection, and explain insurance policies and your ultimate goals. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
Setting up a trust to take care of your Spouse, Children, and even Grandchildren is quite easy. A Life Insurance Policy is capable of funding a trust when someone passes. A million dollar term life insurance policy may be as low as $100 a month, and a $5 million term life insurance policy can be as low as $300 a month. A common scenario: A husband wants to make sure his wife and child are taken care of, if he was to pass away over the next 20 years. A trust can be created, instructing on how the wife is taken care of, how the children are taken care of, and whether the wife or children receive the remainder of the insurance policy after so many years or after the wife passes away. An insurance trust (aka Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust or ILIT) can be set up today, to be the game plan for tomorrow or sometime within the term of the life insurance policy. Why use insurance to fund the trust? Cost and security. A million dollars or 5 million dollars is extremely difficult to save. Saving thousands of dollars EACH MONTH is not common or possible for most households, and to keep that saving habit for 20 years in order to save millions of dollars, is not feasible for most. If you saved or invested 1k (about 100$ a month) a year at 6% in the stock market or funds, after 20 years, that investment may be around $40k. By comparison, if you have a $1 million life insurance policy paid to the trust, and the insurance payments were $100 a month, if you passed away, the insurance would create that $1 million savings in the trust. The Insurance Premium is possible, the amount is able to be budgeted, and it is generally available for most household income levels. The insurance would create some security. Should I get a new Life Insurance or can I use an old one? There are pros and cons to old insurance. Similarly, there are pros and cons to new insurance. For old insurance policies, the premiums may be lower, but they usually are named to an individual and not initially to a trust. There are some tax considerations when "updating" old policies and directing them to a trust. For new insurance policies that initially name the trust, the tax considerations are reduced, but normally at the cost of higher premiums (as premiums tend to increase the older one is and due to health matters). Should I get Term Life Insurance or Whole Life Insurance? A mixture of both is not a bad thing. A High Term Life Policy would mean more security while you are younger. If you outlive the term life policy (yay living), the Whole Life Policy would still grow and mature. The mixture of both would mean the trust would remain funded. Now, while you are younger, there is an argument for a higher policy. While young, you normally have: Mortgage Payments Car Payments Credit Card Debt Student Loan Debt Medical Bills Tuition for children You may also have: Higher income producing job The money needed to pay the premiums for a Higher Policy are more accessible when younger. Additionally, since debts are generally higher when young, the High Policy may be able to pay off debts and provide a more secure lifestyle for the loved ones. To Note: A Whole Life Policy generally has higher payment premiums. As an example, a $1 million term policy may have a monthly premium of $100, but a $1 million whole life policy may have a premium of $800-$1200. Who pays the Insurance Premiums and Who owns the Policy? The Insurance trust (aka Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust or ILIT) would own the insurance policy, subject to the life of its creator/grantor. Since the trust owns the policy, the trust would have to pay the insurance premiums. The creator/grantor would need to make sure the trust has sufficient capital to pay the premiums. The trust receives money by its creator/grantor gifting the trust the money (essentially filling its wallet with some capital), and the trustee (the person who will help the trust act when you have passed away) would make sure the payments occur annually. How do you get started? Contact an estate attorney to review your assets, liabilities, and overall retirement plan. The estate attorney can explain the process, assist with creating the trust, they may act as your trustee or help in trustee selection, and explain insurance policies and your ultimate goals. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
A rental usually takes one of three forms. First, it may be a prior home that you lived at, and due to moving, or change of circumstance, or due to opportunity, you moved to another home, but you decided not to sell your first property due to rising property values, sinking property values, possibly a good interest rate on the loan, sentimental attachment to the property, or maybe there was a possibility that one day you would return to that home. Second, you are an individual that views properties as, a form of investment. Third, you are a business, which is similar to an individual, and might be what the individual investor becomes once they collect 2 or 3 or 4 or 10 or 20 rental properties. All of these forms hold the rental property as an income producer. A rental property can be a retirement plan, it can be an investment, it can generate cash flow; however, as most landlords know, a rental can also be a liability. Why set up a trust to manage one or multiple rental properties? Safety. If you have ever had the pleasure of being sued by a tenant, maybe it was a counter lawsuit from an eviction, maybe it was from damage to the rental property that the tenant performed, maybe it stemmed from an accident by a third-party. The owner of a property, the landlord, is able to be sued. Lawsuits carry financial risk. Risks SHOULD be reduced and mitigated wherever possible. A trust is essentially the creation of a new legal entity, "a paper clone" of the landlord. The trust would receive its own FEIN number (a ss# equivalent), the trust would be listed as the owner and some fashion, and the trust can determine what liabilities of the landlord Should be left open to. A trust is a tool that helps create safety. Who can set up a trust for rental property purposes? It is recommended to have an estate attorney set up the trust, the ancillary businesses, possibly be the trustee, and hire a property management firm. This description alone summarizes essentially the creation of three or four invisible barriers between the landlord and the tenant/rental property. The rental property should be free and clear of any loans, as loan providers would not generally permit trusts. Loan providers want to hold the landlord personally liable for the debt on the property, and they would not agree to a trust and its invisible barriers. However, if a landlord owns 100% of the equity, the landlord can deed the property to their trust clone for zero dollars. Although there are templates and packages that can be purchased online, the old adage comes to mind: you get what you pay for. What about a virtual lawyer that was found online? That could be compared to a magic trick, whenever a problem arises: Now you see me, now you don’t. Although, invisibility might be a superpower rather than a magic trick. Again, you get what you pay for. If you pay for a local attorney that has a brick and mortar location, very unlikely that they brick and mortar can disappear when a problem arises. The local attorney would charge more than the few-buck template online or the super cheap virtual lawyer, but they are less likely to be a risk or liability, and more likely to be considerably helpful and a barrier to help promote the landlord financial safety So, how does a trust remove the landlord from the equation? Simple, the landlord is the person or entity on the deed. The trust name would appear on the deed versus the landlord name. The trust name should not match the landlords name, such as John Smith named their trust John Smith Realty Trust, as to help differentiate property ownership. Also, if there was a lawsuit, the landlord personally May Not be able to be named, if a few other things occur. For instance: The rental property has a property management company that is the face and rent collector of the operation A business owns the rental property and that business is owned by the trust An estate attorney is acting as the trustee, being the signature on behalf of the trust If I am no longer the landlord, and my trust clone becomes the owner, what happens to the income and profit? The beauty of a trust is that it is a clone of the landlord, and it follows the guidelines or instructions that it was given when it was created. Put another way, the trust will act like a robot, and will do what it’s creator decided. For instance, a simple set up would be the trust was created to own the property and receive the remainder of any rent checks after the property managers fee. 50% of the profit can be paid to the original landlord once a month as a direct deposit to a personal bank account. The remaining 50% is to be automatically placed into a high yield savings account under the trust. From that account, the trust can withdraw from it once a year to pay property taxes and income taxes. The remainder is to stay in the high yield savings account to pay for any unexpected repairs on the rental property. A more complex set up could introduce CDs, stock ownership/investment, purchasing a certain amount of gold and silver, even purchase more land or rental properties either by cash or by loan. As an investment, the complexities can grow to, as much as can be imagined. The catch, once the robot is created, the instructions of what to do are given, the original landlord may not, or should not be able to alter the set up, as to avoid future risks and the liabilities. After all, the goal is safety. Is a trust able to help the landlord with their taxes? Possibly, it depends on how much money is placed in the landlord’s bank account, as that would be calculated as income attributed to the landlord. In and above example, 50% of the income remains in the trust bank account, and 50% distributed to the landlord, the 50% distributed to the landlord would be counted as the landlord income, and 50% that remain with the trust, would be included in the trust tax return. Even clones need to pay their taxes, but there is a major benefit, the bracket of the clone would likely be much lower than the tax bracket of the human landlord. The trust is able to provide security, but also allow the landlord, through a trust, to maintain or build wealth. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
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This Blog Post will cover the topic that receives "mixed reviews" from J1 Physicians: the CONRAD 30 WAIVER PROGRAM. A Physician that has the J1 2-year Home Residency Requirement (aka Restriction) has generally heard about this waiver option. Some Physicians like the program because progresses their career and keeps them in the United States, which can pay higher or have better benefits that abroad. However, other may dislike it because: Rural Living/Placement Lower Pay from current area of employment Less opportunities for J2 Family Members The State they DO WANT TO LIVE IN has already capped out the CONRAD 30 Positions Now, CONRAD 30 is an option, and the reality is: IT IS AN UNDERUSED OPTION. Common medical professionals, such as (not an exhaustive list): Anesthesiologist Cardiologist Family physician Gastroenterologist Neurologist Obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYNs) Oncologist Pediatrician Radiologist Surgeon Urologist May want to reconsider this J1 Waiver Option. The CONRAD 30 does have three (3) main requirements, which give the most concern to Physicians: MUST acquire a NO OBJECTION STATEMENT from their home country (this is something our office has assisted with for nearly a decade), BUT doctors are a prized commodity and the foreign government may really really really want you to return. MUST sign a contract and MUST thereafter complete 3 years under the H-1B Program from the Health Department or Rural Placement. MUST complete the other CONRAD 30 Program Requirements. The Numbers: The Term/Title: UNDERUSED, that was not an exaggeration or play on words. Statistically, of the 1500 Conrad 30 Positions available every year, only 880 to 1167 (statistics taken over a 5 year period). CONRAD 30 is generally unable to place 1/3 of its available positions with Physicians. ( Source ) As an Immigration Law Firm that assists many types of J1 Professionals, I would recommend looking at the less "frequented" states. Colorado , a beautiful state with nearly 6 million people ALMOST NEVER FILLS THEIR CONRAD 30 POSITIONS. If I was a J1 Physician, and I was heavily considering this J1 Waiver, I would go to a place where there is no competition, like Colorado . (Opinion of an immigration attorney). Here is a link to help guide you . In reality, 1/3 of the positions are available/unused. If a J1 physician needs a waiver, maybe consider looking outside of your geographical area because opportunities are available, if you look elsewhere. If you have questions or need assistance with the No objection Statement, please schedule a consultation with our immigration attorney. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
This blog post will cover the two main waiver types common for J1 Public School Teachers: No Objection Statement (NOS) and Exceptional Hardship. What many don't know are the actual statistics for J1 Visa Holders. Some might look at the below DOS Waiver Review Statistics, and think, I have a GREAT chance for success:
With the USCIS Fee Increases that occurred on April 1, 2024, USCIS Filings will be rejected, refused, returned to unknowing filers. The filings will be returned with a template letter stating template-terms such as: Incorrect Fee Payment Incorrect Form Editions Insufficient Funds The fact of the matter would be that the USCIS Filing is rejected and the new fee would be required. The next question is: what should you do next? Should you look online and pay the new fees? Our office would recommend stepping back and reviewing the entire filing. Eligibility must be confirmed. Supporting documents must be confirmed. Form Editions must be confirmed. These topics will be discussed below. Topic: Eligibility Most (Minor) USCIS Filings are now available online at USCIS.GOV. The online system does a great job at screening eligibility and raising red flags when something is amiss. However, the paper filings do not have the same luxury. Over 550,000 applicants file for the (Major) I-485 Adjustment of Status each year. Over 50k spousal filings, 15k fiance filings, 3k child/step-child filings, and 50k parent filings all pursue Adjustment of Status through the USCIS Agency. These filings are riddled with RFEs, experience 1-5 years processing times, denials on eligibility for part or all of the filings and supplemental filings, and straight-up confusion. Some of the most common issues affecting eligibility are as follows: US Citizen has a low taxable income affecting sponsorship Immigrant has a visa violation(s) affecting inadmissibility The underlying relationship ends and US Residence ceases A consult with an immigration attorney can help alleviate this concern. Alternatively, our office has some guides to target eligibility: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/can-i-apply-for-a-j1-waiver-simultaneously-with-my-green-card-filing https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/adjustment-of-status/understanding-adjustment-of-status-movements-around-the-nation-raleigh-durham-processing https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/adjustment-of-status/joint-bona-fide-documents-how-to-start-meeting-the-uscis-i-130-evidence-requirement-for-a-marriage https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/va-disability-and-us-immigration https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-864-self-employment-and-business-ownership https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-864-sponsorship-how-is-ssi-and-ssdi-assessed Topic: Supporting Documents Supporting documents are mandatory with any USCIS Filing. The main documents not normally provided are: valid birth certificates with english translation proof of relationship proof of financials/income/taxes A consult with an immigration attorney can help alleviate this concern. Alternatively, our office has some resources to target eligibility: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/immigration-checklist-what-our-law-office-generally-recommends https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/our-guidance-on-many-frequent-foreign-birth-certificates Topic: Form Editions DO NOT rely on the expiration date on the top right corner of the USCIS Forms. DO NOT! The USCIS Forms almost always state a form is valid for 2 years after creation. However, some forms can update ever 6-12 months. Check the the USCIS Website, regarding the specific form and the edition date information (as it will also state if prior editions are still be accepted). Where do you verify the USCIS Filing Fee? The G-1055 is the main source to verify USCIS Filing Fees. Conclusion If you have addressed the above three topics, you are ready to re-submit. If you receive a second rejection, it is time to probably consult with an immigration attorney. Just know, USCIS Filing Fees, for instance the $2955 for a full AOS Filing, are expensive. If the AOS is ultimately denied, paying the fees a second time will feel more painful. Our office has frequently assisted with filers that have been denied once, twice, three time in the past. If you'd like to schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney, consider our office. We can assist regardless of state you country you reside in. Our office/attorney Biography can be seen here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/team Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
This Blog Post will cover the topic that receives "mixed reviews" from J1 Physicians: the CONRAD 30 WAIVER PROGRAM. A Physician that has the J1 2-year Home Residency Requirement (aka Restriction) has generally heard about this waiver option. Some Physicians like the program because progresses their career and keeps them in the United States, which can pay higher or have better benefits that abroad. However, other may dislike it because: Rural Living/Placement Lower Pay from current area of employment Less opportunities for J2 Family Members The State they DO WANT TO LIVE IN has already capped out the CONRAD 30 Positions Now, CONRAD 30 is an option, and the reality is: IT IS AN UNDERUSED OPTION. Common medical professionals, such as (not an exhaustive list): Anesthesiologist Cardiologist Family physician Gastroenterologist Neurologist Obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYNs) Oncologist Pediatrician Radiologist Surgeon Urologist May want to reconsider this J1 Waiver Option. The CONRAD 30 does have three (3) main requirements, which give the most concern to Physicians: MUST acquire a NO OBJECTION STATEMENT from their home country (this is something our office has assisted with for nearly a decade), BUT doctors are a prized commodity and the foreign government may really really really want you to return. MUST sign a contract and MUST thereafter complete 3 years under the H-1B Program from the Health Department or Rural Placement. MUST complete the other CONRAD 30 Program Requirements. The Numbers: The Term/Title: UNDERUSED, that was not an exaggeration or play on words. Statistically, of the 1500 Conrad 30 Positions available every year, only 880 to 1167 (statistics taken over a 5 year period). CONRAD 30 is generally unable to place 1/3 of its available positions with Physicians. ( Source ) As an Immigration Law Firm that assists many types of J1 Professionals, I would recommend looking at the less "frequented" states. Colorado , a beautiful state with nearly 6 million people ALMOST NEVER FILLS THEIR CONRAD 30 POSITIONS. If I was a J1 Physician, and I was heavily considering this J1 Waiver, I would go to a place where there is no competition, like Colorado . (Opinion of an immigration attorney). Here is a link to help guide you . In reality, 1/3 of the positions are available/unused. If a J1 physician needs a waiver, maybe consider looking outside of your geographical area because opportunities are available, if you look elsewhere. If you have questions or need assistance with the No objection Statement, please schedule a consultation with our immigration attorney. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
This blog post will cover the two main waiver types common for J1 Public School Teachers: No Objection Statement (NOS) and Exceptional Hardship. What many don't know are the actual statistics for J1 Visa Holders. Some might look at the below DOS Waiver Review Statistics, and think, I have a GREAT chance for success:
With the USCIS Fee Increases that occurred on April 1, 2024, USCIS Filings will be rejected, refused, returned to unknowing filers. The filings will be returned with a template letter stating template-terms such as: Incorrect Fee Payment Incorrect Form Editions Insufficient Funds The fact of the matter would be that the USCIS Filing is rejected and the new fee would be required. The next question is: what should you do next? Should you look online and pay the new fees? Our office would recommend stepping back and reviewing the entire filing. Eligibility must be confirmed. Supporting documents must be confirmed. Form Editions must be confirmed. These topics will be discussed below. Topic: Eligibility Most (Minor) USCIS Filings are now available online at USCIS.GOV. The online system does a great job at screening eligibility and raising red flags when something is amiss. However, the paper filings do not have the same luxury. Over 550,000 applicants file for the (Major) I-485 Adjustment of Status each year. Over 50k spousal filings, 15k fiance filings, 3k child/step-child filings, and 50k parent filings all pursue Adjustment of Status through the USCIS Agency. These filings are riddled with RFEs, experience 1-5 years processing times, denials on eligibility for part or all of the filings and supplemental filings, and straight-up confusion. Some of the most common issues affecting eligibility are as follows: US Citizen has a low taxable income affecting sponsorship Immigrant has a visa violation(s) affecting inadmissibility The underlying relationship ends and US Residence ceases A consult with an immigration attorney can help alleviate this concern. Alternatively, our office has some guides to target eligibility: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/can-i-apply-for-a-j1-waiver-simultaneously-with-my-green-card-filing https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/adjustment-of-status/understanding-adjustment-of-status-movements-around-the-nation-raleigh-durham-processing https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/adjustment-of-status/joint-bona-fide-documents-how-to-start-meeting-the-uscis-i-130-evidence-requirement-for-a-marriage https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/va-disability-and-us-immigration https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-864-self-employment-and-business-ownership https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-864-sponsorship-how-is-ssi-and-ssdi-assessed Topic: Supporting Documents Supporting documents are mandatory with any USCIS Filing. The main documents not normally provided are: valid birth certificates with english translation proof of relationship proof of financials/income/taxes A consult with an immigration attorney can help alleviate this concern. Alternatively, our office has some resources to target eligibility: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/immigration-checklist-what-our-law-office-generally-recommends https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/our-guidance-on-many-frequent-foreign-birth-certificates Topic: Form Editions DO NOT rely on the expiration date on the top right corner of the USCIS Forms. DO NOT! The USCIS Forms almost always state a form is valid for 2 years after creation. However, some forms can update ever 6-12 months. Check the the USCIS Website, regarding the specific form and the edition date information (as it will also state if prior editions are still be accepted). Where do you verify the USCIS Filing Fee? The G-1055 is the main source to verify USCIS Filing Fees. Conclusion If you have addressed the above three topics, you are ready to re-submit. If you receive a second rejection, it is time to probably consult with an immigration attorney. Just know, USCIS Filing Fees, for instance the $2955 for a full AOS Filing, are expensive. If the AOS is ultimately denied, paying the fees a second time will feel more painful. Our office has frequently assisted with filers that have been denied once, twice, three time in the past. If you'd like to schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney, consider our office. We can assist regardless of state you country you reside in. Our office/attorney Biography can be seen here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/team Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
Teachers are always in demand. They are needed in the public schools, they are needed in the private and religious schools, and they are needed in Native American schools. J-1 Teachers are highly educated and experienced. However, most J-1s have a 2 year home residency requirement, that prevents them from applying for an H-1B Visa and a Green Card after their J-1 Program expires. A school located on a Native American Land, may be a positive alternative for J-1 Teachers. What is a Native American School? There are 183 Bureau-funded elementary and secondary schools, composed of 53 Bureau of Indian Education schools and and 130 Tribally Controlled Schools. The Schools are located on 64 reservations in 23 states, and serves approximately 46,000 Indian students. Tribally Controlled and Bureau Operated School is a distinction that aids with the J-1 IGA Waiver. What is the benefit of the IGA Waiver? The School that is need of a school teacher is able to assist in the J-1 Waiver as an "Interest Government Agency." The Waiver could allow them to remove the restriction and pursue an H-1B Teacher Visa. The Bureau of Indian Education, as well as possibly the Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Where can I locate Native American School - Teacher Position Openings? The Bureau of Indian Education posts openings on their website, located here: https://www.bie.edu/current-vacancies If you have questions regarding the J1 Waiver, you can set up a consult with our office. NOTE: Another alternative for J-1 Teachers requiring the waiver may be R-1 Visas for Teachers in Religious Schools. More information found here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/r1-visa-for-school-teachers-at-religious-private-schools-an-alternative-to-the-h-1b-visa Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
An "unacceptable" No Objection Statement from the foreign government or foreign Embassy or Consulate used to be a rare occurrence. In 2024, this issue has been appearing more frequently and by many different countries. The following might be prompts bringing you to this blog post: The DOS Waiver Status states "No Objection (Unacceptable)" The Embassy/Consulate emailed a courtesy letter with incorrect data The Embassy/Consulate emailed a courtesy letter with poor print quality What should I do? The DOS Waiver Review Division would receive the letter and mark it as unacceptable. They would automatically notify the appropriate Embassy or Consulate on the error. The Embassy or Consulate can take a few weeks or months to correct their error. Should I email the Waiver Review Division at 212ewaiver@state.gov ? You can, but responses can take 1-2 months and it would not affect the case as DOS would act immediately on their own and the case status would update as soon as the foreign government corrects their error. If you have questions regarding the J1 Waiver and what to expect next, you can set up a consult with our office. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
An Arranged Marriage is very traditional to India. From the US Perspective, it may have a negative connotation, portrayed as an unusual arrangement, portrayed as a relationship devoid of love, and even a forced marriage. Arranged Marriages can be conducted through parents that are familiar with one another, or through the services of a Matchmaker or Sima Taparia. However, arranging a marriage is also not uncommon in the US. Hometowns commonly have parents know one another, and the children are invited to family gatherings and parties. A simple introduction or exchanging children's contact information can lead to dating and a marriage. The term "arranged marriage" might feel foreign in the US, but a good spouse from a good family is a good practice. A dating period of one month or six months or 1 year might be short for some people. However, love is love, and newly webs also desire to be together. The focus of the US Government is to look for: the spark of love and plans/dreams to be together forever the absence of force or coercion between the spouses This blog post will address how this cultural process, the arranging of marriage, is handled by USCIS and the US Immigration process. Focus 1: Proving the Relationship A relationship is reviewed by USCIS in the I-130 Petition of an Alien Relative. The I-130 process asks for copious amounts of evidence (a deep dive into common marital evidence one can provide can be seen here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/adjustment-of-status/bona-fide-marriage-evidence-how-many-photos-does-uscis-want-with-an-i-130-filing ). However, for arranged marriages, the common documents that should be provided in the filing are: plane tickets to visit one another (physical presence is important) communication records (talking is important) Photos together (smiles and happiness is important) Items like joint bank accounts, deeds together, leases together, bills together, those items are common for boyfriends and girlfriends in the US, but they can create financial stress to a young relationship. Divorce is high in the US for many factors, financial being a high factor. However, in an arranged marriage, the finances are a little removed, allowing the young couple to focus on: personality, hobbies, and dreaming of a future together. There are perks of focusing the spouses' attentions to what really matters. Evidences, such as those that focus on financial documents, are less important if they do not exist. Focus 2: Timeline A young relationship may only be a few weeks or a few months old at time of the arranged marriage and starting the I-130 petition. The I-130 filing does take a few months to over 1 year to process. During this processing, the relationship grows, it blossoms, love becomes deeper, dreams become reality, and a strong relationship forms. New Marital Evidence can be supplemented and added to an I-130 filing to strengthen it before it is ever reviewed by a USCIS Officer. Focus 3: Marriage in India The US Embassy System does provide the following information regarding marriage in India: https://in.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/marriage/ As long as the marriage is properly recorded, the US Government generally accepts the marriage certificate for immigration purposes. Breakdown of the CR-1/IR-1 Spousal Immigrant Process: A Spousal Immigrant Visa can take 1 of 2 forms: CR-1 or IR-1. The difference is the length of the marriage at the time of the Visa Interview. For marriages under 2 years, a CR-1 is provided. For marriages over 2 years, an IR-1 is provided. A CR-1 creates a 2-year Conditional Green Card, whereas the IR-1 creates a 10-year unconditional Green Card. For arranged marriages, the CR-1 Visa is more common when the I-130 is started shortly after marriage. However, if the process does take too long, the filing would automatically change to IR-1. What happens after a 2-year Green Card? An I-751 filing occurs, which allows USCIS to confirm the marriage was with love and allows USCIS to issue a 10-year Green Card or US Citizenship. There are three agencies involved in the CR-1/IR-1 process: USCIS NVC DOS (Embassy/Consulate Division) All three agencies serve a purpose and have particular requirements. Most consider the process as a 2-step process, but a better Step-by-Step Process can be seen here: Part 1 – Petition to Recognize the Relationship – Submit the I-130 Electronically Part 2 – Waiting Period – I-130 Pending awaiting a USCIS Officer to review the filing and supporting documents Part 3 – NVC Processing – Visa fees are paid online, DS-260 is completed, and supporting documents are uploaded. Part 4 – Consulate Interview – NVC provides Mumbai Interview day and time, Consulate Account Registered, Medical Performed, Documents Organized, and Interview Attended. Part 5 – Arrive in the US – Pay the Immigrant Fee, Fly to the United States, Apply/Receive US Social Security Card, and Receive a Green Card in the mail within 3 months after entry. The Mumbai Consulate (New Dehli does not issue immigrant visas at this time) provides the following instructions for consular interviews: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/BMB-Mumbai.html Foreign (Indian) Documents requirements can be seen here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/India.html and an overall document checklist from our office can be seen here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/immigration-checklist-what-our-law-office-generally-recommends/ If you would like a consultation for your immigration filing, please contact our office to set up a consultation with our Immigration Attorney. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
This is a simple breakdown of the amount someone pays on their federal income taxes. Math isn't everyone's strong suit, but income and profit need to be understood at a basic level. For starter, when most hear the term "tax bracket," they immediate thing of percentage of taxes they will owe the IRS at the end of the year. Numbers or percentages like the following fill the imagination: 10% 12% 22% 24% 32% 35% 37% If someone earns $100k a year, they fear the 22% tax bracket because that is $22k of $100k. However, simply put, the tax bracket operates is steps or phases. For example, in 2024, a Married Couple that has a household income of $100k, would see the following tax brackets: The first $23,200 would be taxed at 10% (i.e. $2,320) The next $71,100 of income up to $94300 would be taxed at 12% (i.e. $8,532) The next $5,700 (to make $100k) of income up to $201,050 would be taxed at 22% (i.e. $1254) So, the overall federal income tax would be $12, 106 versus the general belief of $22k at 22%. Another example may be helpful, but this time a married couple that that has a household income in 2024 at $250k. The bracket breakdown would be as follows: The first $23,200 would be taxed at 10% (i.e. $2,320) The next $71,100 of income up to $94,300 would be taxed at 12% (i.e. $8,532) The next $106,750 of income up to $201,050 would be taxed at 22% (i.e. $23,485) The next $48,950 (to make $250k) of income up to $383,900 would be taxed at 24% (i.e. $11,748) So, the overall federal income tax would be $46,085 versus the general belief of $60k at 24%. A visual may help understand the bracket layout:
Sometimes, our pets are like our family. They are our best friends, there are always eager to see us, and they are a part of our family since their birth most of the time. The thought may pop into your head: what is going to happen to my beloved pet when I pass? Is a friend or family member going to take care of them? Are they going to go to the pound when I pass and eventually be put down? In NC, this worry is very common and a law was created to support and address this concern: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-4-408 A "Pet Trust," also known as a "Animal Care Trust," allows for the pet owner to set up the means to care for their pet (dog, cat, snake, bird, lizard, fish, turtle, guinea pig, rabbit, chicken, rats, hamster, horse, etc.), throughout the pets lifetime and then whatever remains from the trust, can be directed to someone else or a charity. The first focus on considering a pet trust is: who do you trust to take care of the pet? and, who would you trust with money after you are gone? A close friend or family member are ideal people to appoint for administering the trust funds. The second focus is how much do you want the trust to cover? A Pet Trust can cover all of the following: Daily food for the pet Daycare costs of boarded for the day or during long vacations Groomer fees Dog or obedience school fees Veterinarian fees even, cremation and funeral services In North Carolina, a pet trust can be set up affordably and be set up in many different ways. The most ideal way is the set it up while alive, so you know all of the details on how the pet will be cared for after your passing. How do you get started? Contact an estate attorney to review your assets, liabilities, and overall retirement plan. The estate attorney can explain the process, assist with creating the trust, they may act as your trustee or help in trustee selection, and explain insurance policies and your ultimate goals. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
Setting up a trust to take care of your Spouse, Children, and even Grandchildren is quite easy. A Life Insurance Policy is capable of funding a trust when someone passes. A million dollar term life insurance policy may be as low as $100 a month, and a $5 million term life insurance policy can be as low as $300 a month. A common scenario: A husband wants to make sure his wife and child are taken care of, if he was to pass away over the next 20 years. A trust can be created, instructing on how the wife is taken care of, how the children are taken care of, and whether the wife or children receive the remainder of the insurance policy after so many years or after the wife passes away. An insurance trust (aka Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust or ILIT) can be set up today, to be the game plan for tomorrow or sometime within the term of the life insurance policy. Why use insurance to fund the trust? Cost and security. A million dollars or 5 million dollars is extremely difficult to save. Saving thousands of dollars EACH MONTH is not common or possible for most households, and to keep that saving habit for 20 years in order to save millions of dollars, is not feasible for most. If you saved or invested 1k (about 100$ a month) a year at 6% in the stock market or funds, after 20 years, that investment may be around $40k. By comparison, if you have a $1 million life insurance policy paid to the trust, and the insurance payments were $100 a month, if you passed away, the insurance would create that $1 million savings in the trust. The Insurance Premium is possible, the amount is able to be budgeted, and it is generally available for most household income levels. The insurance would create some security. Should I get a new Life Insurance or can I use an old one? There are pros and cons to old insurance. Similarly, there are pros and cons to new insurance. For old insurance policies, the premiums may be lower, but they usually are named to an individual and not initially to a trust. There are some tax considerations when "updating" old policies and directing them to a trust. For new insurance policies that initially name the trust, the tax considerations are reduced, but normally at the cost of higher premiums (as premiums tend to increase the older one is and due to health matters). Should I get Term Life Insurance or Whole Life Insurance? A mixture of both is not a bad thing. A High Term Life Policy would mean more security while you are younger. If you outlive the term life policy (yay living), the Whole Life Policy would still grow and mature. The mixture of both would mean the trust would remain funded. Now, while you are younger, there is an argument for a higher policy. While young, you normally have: Mortgage Payments Car Payments Credit Card Debt Student Loan Debt Medical Bills Tuition for children You may also have: Higher income producing job The money needed to pay the premiums for a Higher Policy are more accessible when younger. Additionally, since debts are generally higher when young, the High Policy may be able to pay off debts and provide a more secure lifestyle for the loved ones. To Note: A Whole Life Policy generally has higher payment premiums. As an example, a $1 million term policy may have a monthly premium of $100, but a $1 million whole life policy may have a premium of $800-$1200. Who pays the Insurance Premiums and Who owns the Policy? The Insurance trust (aka Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust or ILIT) would own the insurance policy, subject to the life of its creator/grantor. Since the trust owns the policy, the trust would have to pay the insurance premiums. The creator/grantor would need to make sure the trust has sufficient capital to pay the premiums. The trust receives money by its creator/grantor gifting the trust the money (essentially filling its wallet with some capital), and the trustee (the person who will help the trust act when you have passed away) would make sure the payments occur annually. How do you get started? Contact an estate attorney to review your assets, liabilities, and overall retirement plan. The estate attorney can explain the process, assist with creating the trust, they may act as your trustee or help in trustee selection, and explain insurance policies and your ultimate goals. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
A rental usually takes one of three forms. First, it may be a prior home that you lived at, and due to moving, or change of circumstance, or due to opportunity, you moved to another home, but you decided not to sell your first property due to rising property values, sinking property values, possibly a good interest rate on the loan, sentimental attachment to the property, or maybe there was a possibility that one day you would return to that home. Second, you are an individual that views properties as, a form of investment. Third, you are a business, which is similar to an individual, and might be what the individual investor becomes once they collect 2 or 3 or 4 or 10 or 20 rental properties. All of these forms hold the rental property as an income producer. A rental property can be a retirement plan, it can be an investment, it can generate cash flow; however, as most landlords know, a rental can also be a liability. Why set up a trust to manage one or multiple rental properties? Safety. If you have ever had the pleasure of being sued by a tenant, maybe it was a counter lawsuit from an eviction, maybe it was from damage to the rental property that the tenant performed, maybe it stemmed from an accident by a third-party. The owner of a property, the landlord, is able to be sued. Lawsuits carry financial risk. Risks SHOULD be reduced and mitigated wherever possible. A trust is essentially the creation of a new legal entity, "a paper clone" of the landlord. The trust would receive its own FEIN number (a ss# equivalent), the trust would be listed as the owner and some fashion, and the trust can determine what liabilities of the landlord Should be left open to. A trust is a tool that helps create safety. Who can set up a trust for rental property purposes? It is recommended to have an estate attorney set up the trust, the ancillary businesses, possibly be the trustee, and hire a property management firm. This description alone summarizes essentially the creation of three or four invisible barriers between the landlord and the tenant/rental property. The rental property should be free and clear of any loans, as loan providers would not generally permit trusts. Loan providers want to hold the landlord personally liable for the debt on the property, and they would not agree to a trust and its invisible barriers. However, if a landlord owns 100% of the equity, the landlord can deed the property to their trust clone for zero dollars. Although there are templates and packages that can be purchased online, the old adage comes to mind: you get what you pay for. What about a virtual lawyer that was found online? That could be compared to a magic trick, whenever a problem arises: Now you see me, now you don’t. Although, invisibility might be a superpower rather than a magic trick. Again, you get what you pay for. If you pay for a local attorney that has a brick and mortar location, very unlikely that they brick and mortar can disappear when a problem arises. The local attorney would charge more than the few-buck template online or the super cheap virtual lawyer, but they are less likely to be a risk or liability, and more likely to be considerably helpful and a barrier to help promote the landlord financial safety So, how does a trust remove the landlord from the equation? Simple, the landlord is the person or entity on the deed. The trust name would appear on the deed versus the landlord name. The trust name should not match the landlords name, such as John Smith named their trust John Smith Realty Trust, as to help differentiate property ownership. Also, if there was a lawsuit, the landlord personally May Not be able to be named, if a few other things occur. For instance: The rental property has a property management company that is the face and rent collector of the operation A business owns the rental property and that business is owned by the trust An estate attorney is acting as the trustee, being the signature on behalf of the trust If I am no longer the landlord, and my trust clone becomes the owner, what happens to the income and profit? The beauty of a trust is that it is a clone of the landlord, and it follows the guidelines or instructions that it was given when it was created. Put another way, the trust will act like a robot, and will do what it’s creator decided. For instance, a simple set up would be the trust was created to own the property and receive the remainder of any rent checks after the property managers fee. 50% of the profit can be paid to the original landlord once a month as a direct deposit to a personal bank account. The remaining 50% is to be automatically placed into a high yield savings account under the trust. From that account, the trust can withdraw from it once a year to pay property taxes and income taxes. The remainder is to stay in the high yield savings account to pay for any unexpected repairs on the rental property. A more complex set up could introduce CDs, stock ownership/investment, purchasing a certain amount of gold and silver, even purchase more land or rental properties either by cash or by loan. As an investment, the complexities can grow to, as much as can be imagined. The catch, once the robot is created, the instructions of what to do are given, the original landlord may not, or should not be able to alter the set up, as to avoid future risks and the liabilities. After all, the goal is safety. Is a trust able to help the landlord with their taxes? Possibly, it depends on how much money is placed in the landlord’s bank account, as that would be calculated as income attributed to the landlord. In and above example, 50% of the income remains in the trust bank account, and 50% distributed to the landlord, the 50% distributed to the landlord would be counted as the landlord income, and 50% that remain with the trust, would be included in the trust tax return. Even clones need to pay their taxes, but there is a major benefit, the bracket of the clone would likely be much lower than the tax bracket of the human landlord. The trust is able to provide security, but also allow the landlord, through a trust, to maintain or build wealth. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
DISCLAIMER – The information does not constitute legal advice and please be aware that neither this website nor the use of information from this website creates an attorney-client relationship.
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