ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMarriage in Siberia. Anger and frustration in Moscow.
Here is a reason you were probably denied the ability to file a I-130 in Moscow:
"Immediate Relative Immigrant Petitions (Form I-130):
U.S. Citizens residing in our office's jurisdiction may file petitions for immediate relatives at the Moscow office during public hours.

Who May File and When
The Moscow office at the United States Embassy, accepts Form I-130 "Petition for Alien Relative" from United States Citizens who are filing for their spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21 years of age. Petitions from Lawful Permanent Residents and petitions for relatives other than those mentioned fall into different visa categories and must be filed in the United States. United States Citizens may file their petitions between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

United States Citizens MUST BE PRESENT to file their petitions. If a United States Citizen is filing for a spouse, it is recommended that the spouse also appear so that immigration officials may ask any questions necessary for the adjudication of the petition.

United States Citizens must establish that they have resided in the Russian Federation for the previous six months in order to file at the Moscow office. To establish the residency requirement, United States Citizens should submit one or more of the following: multi-entry Russian visa, proof of local registration, work contract, apartment lease, U.S. military ID and evidence that the United States Citizen is stationed overseas, or other documents. Documents that prove the relationship between the United States Citizen petitioner and the non-United States citizen beneficiary should be submitted along with photocopies. Such documents include a marriage certificate, divorce or death certificates from previous marriages, and name-change certificates. Documents not in English must be submitted with English translations. Translations do not need to be notarized but should be signed by the translator and accompanied by a statement that the translation is accurate and that the translator is competent to translate.

In addition, it is recommended to provide a photocopy of any visas to the United States that your relative has been issued. If your relative has been under immigration proceedings previously, it is recommended that your relative provide detailed information about these proceedings. This will often speed the processing of your petition.

For additional information on preparing your documents to submit to the agency, read the instructions on the I-130 form or call the office at (7-495) 255-9551 on workdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM."
https://egov.uscis.g...r.statecode=arm

Also see:
http://vladivostok.u...den_072407.html

If you meet these requirements you might have a much stronger case in refiling your case.

Your odds of wining a due process claim where the plaintiff is a foreinger asking for a service outside the US is about as slim as getting a private bill passed making your wife a citizen. The latter is actually possible, not so sure of the former, but I think Russ is probably right.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-11-18 11:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMarriage in Siberia. Anger and frustration in Moscow.
QUOTE (seanconneryii @ Nov 17 2007, 10:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm writing my congressman about this one and I may consider legal options.
The only legal option you have is filing a suit against the government which is known as a Mandamus action. In the suit you will compel the government to act on your application. Their defense will be that they acted, by rejecting it. This route doesn't work very well.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-11-17 16:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDifficulties with getting visa
QUOTE (dkrivosheyev @ Dec 1 2007, 09:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Apparently you can work with K1 visa even without the stamp, at least that's what they are saying at Russian fiancée forums.
Don't forget you can always work for cash. Many in the Russian community who came over as refugees are still on public subsidies, section 8 housing, and work for cash allowing them to go on vacation three times a year and drive fancy cars. Just home ownership is out of the question.
Even here in San Francisco, local Russian stores will pay cash under the table for work! House keepers, handy men, etc. can all get work for cash. If they haven't caught the other 12 million they won't catch you either, plus during AOS all unauthorized work is forgiven, it's the law!

Edited by Satellite, 01 December 2007 - 07:53 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-01 19:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDifficulties with getting visa
If you thought your embassy experience was bad, just check out what kind of POE experience you can have with that attitude:
http://www.visajourn...h...48&hl=taser
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-11-17 17:18:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDifficulties with getting visa
QUOTE (anya&kevin @ Nov 17 2007, 08:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's just so not fair, just give me the visa!
Getting a visa to the US is privilege and not a right. And nothing compares to the Russian bureaucracy!

Edited by Satellite, 17 November 2007 - 12:36 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-11-17 12:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusairline tickets for my wife
My wife has twice traveled to Russia using her maiden name on tickets because that is the name in her Russian passport. She also has an amendment in her Russian passport saying that this passport holder also goes by this married name. That married name is found on her green card. She has had no problems flying this way.

As for the marriage certificate, getting that apostilled, professionally translated, and certified at the Russian consulate, before it can legally be used in Russia is a huge hassle and costs quite a bit too.

As for changing the Russian passport to show a married name that can only be done in Russia by first changing the internal passport, which will require the marriage certificate procedure mentioned above.

As for the amendment that can be done as soon as you get a document with a married name that the Russian consulate will accept. No translations required.

Just to give you one interesting problem we have encountered.
Transaero, a Russian airline refused to process (online) my wife's ticket in her maiden name, because all of her credit cards were in her married name! They insisted that the traveler must be the same person as the credit card holder. We finally bought a ticket via email through an agent. But it just goes to show you. Transaero tickets were not available for sale here in the US at a travel agent.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-03 19:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusOff Topic
QUOTE (slim @ Nov 29 2007, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Flowers are super cheap in Russia and there's a flower store on every freakin' corner!
My wife has found that Flowers in California are way cheaper than in Tomsk Siberia. In the winter a rose can go for as much as $10 each in Siberia. However, I was shocked to learn that in Sochi during hte summer it was less than 1 RUR. The flowers are especially cheap when you can just pick them from your garden as is the case at my parents home. Costco does a decent deal, something like two dozen roses for 14.99.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-11-29 13:46:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusOff Topic
QUOTE (mox @ Nov 27 2007, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (russ @ Nov 27 2007, 08:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Credit cards are common enough in Russia now, that shouldn't be a problem. People who pay $25 for flowers in Russia probably have credit cards as well.

If they screw you, you are only out $20.

Maybe in the bigger cities, but when I was in Yoshkar-Ola, and even Kazan and Cheboksari, it was rare to find a shop that took credit cards.
My wife was in Tomsk this summer. Only a few fancy select vendors had the ability to take credit cards. Plenty of ATM machines but none of the small businesses like flower vendors were taking the cards.

Edited by Satellite, 29 November 2007 - 01:35 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-11-29 01:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusOff Topic
QUOTE (russ @ Nov 27 2007, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Call a local florist. This tends to be the cheapest way to send flowers (or anything else) in most of the world. Shouldn't cost you more than $15 (what I spent on a large bouquet last summer). I wouldn't pay more than $5 for delivery.
How would you pay the local florist? Assuming he doesn't take credit cards, common thing for a lot of small business in Russia. Or suppose you did manage to pay him, how would you ensure he actually performed? What is your remedy for breach and who will enforce it and how? In my opinion without a local on the ground it's a real toss up if you will have any success based on reputation and trust only.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-11-27 20:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusUS Embassy in Moscow Questions
QUOTE (slim @ Dec 7 2007, 10:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Everyone has the right to represent themselves, right?
Yes in most cases. Noteable exceptions: people who don't understand that they are giving up their right to counsel as provided by the 6th amendment in criminal cases and corporations.
See Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975).
Since immigration is a civil matter, you have no right to free counsel so this is not even an issue.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-07 19:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusUS Embassy in Moscow Questions
QUOTE (slim @ Dec 5 2007, 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's never too late to fire your lawyer! On that note, where are you on this one, Satellite?
First I was studying for my last law school finals and now onto the bar. Anyway, you guys have a real lawyer on here anyway, Buck, as I understand. So what part was I supposed to answer: the lawyer firing or the DCF?
You can always fire your attorney and make a claim for your retainer. However, the attorney will still be able to recover in Quantum meruit, for the hourly work he has already done if it was a flat rate agreement. That said, you can catch your attorney by surprise if he does all flat rate agreement and hasn't been keeping a good log of what he has done and when. Likewise look at your retainer if there is an hourly rate you already agreed upon in cases involving such disputes. At last resort, most attorneys really don't want to sue or be sued by their clients, so maybe you can get a good deal after all.
As for the DCF here is all my information:
http://vladivostok.u...den_072407.html
http://vladivostok.u...cspetition.html
Getting Married Procedure:
http://moscow.usemba..._id=acsmarriage
http://vladivostok.u...csmarryrus.html
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-06 12:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusshare your movie
QUOTE (russ @ Nov 13 2007, 11:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What actual Russian films have you all watched? I'm curious (I've seen quite a few, but
always looking for more)

Also (probably a question for Sat) - there is a cartoon of a Pushkin children's poem that I would like.
I don't know what it is called (there are probably a few. I can post part of the
poem if it helps. Watched it in class a few years ago.
You might this funny, but I have actually seen very few Russian movies. I am also horrible with titles and actor's names. Frankly, I find American Cinema much better. I haven't seen the majority of titles you guys have mentioned. Even at my parents house where they have NTV-America we watch mostly Russian comedy, music performances, 30 minute shows, or contemporary series movies. My wife is way better at this whole thing. Having immigrated at age 6, I just have never been into it.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-11-15 00:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus2nd NOA Received
QUOTE (Kazan @ Dec 8 2007, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Christmas Gift Arrived Early
It's funny how you characterize the USCIS as bringing your Christmas gifts. As far as I am concerned, the USCIS is going to take away all of our "Christmas" gifts when we have to mail them a $675 check for naturalization, shortly after Christmas!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-12 22:56:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusChanging my name spelling
QUOTE (novotul @ Dec 14 2007, 05:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sat's and Slim's plan is ours, too -- so it is great to know that others have had success with it.
We actually didn't really have success with this because we didn't do anything special. As a matter of fact we didn't even bother changing the strangely spelled middle name (patronym), but based on other people's experience the suggested method has worked.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-14 11:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusChanging my name spelling
I would wait until your get that EAD. Most government agencies won't work off a NOA, like the California Department of Motor Vehicle. The NOA is not really a legal ID document. And a green card for Russian Authorities, as they won't work with anything lower in my experience.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-11 18:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusChanging my name spelling
QUOTE (Blues Fairy @ Dec 11 2007, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Actually the friendly officer at CBP advised the same but after some research I found that the courts and notaries only deal with name changes for citizens (am I right?)
As I understand the probate court deals with this. Call the clerk's office of your local court and ask. He or she will either know the answer or direct you to the form used for name changing. That forms instructions should provide a clue, if not a practice guide that mentions that form, which you can find at your local public law library will have the answer. At least here in California, people who change their names run little ads in obscure newspaper as notice. Not sure on the citizenship question, but it makes sense to have only US citizens deal with this.

QUOTE (Blues Fairy @ Dec 11 2007, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Maybe there's a sneaky way to prevent all this hassle and set it straight from the beginning?
There is, I mean there was a way. A bribe of some sort back in Russia, or handing in a prior translated documents when your passport was being made by UVD. But its a moot point now, but for those starting off, I guess the advise would be to take care of all name corrections in Russia before applying for a visa or filling out any US documents.

Edited by Satellite, 11 December 2007 - 02:12 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-11 14:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusChanging my name spelling
Wait until AOS / EAD. Just file with a new name and write down your previous used name where asked. That should solve it. Then use EAD to correct Social Security Card to then correct Driver's License. And when the green card comes, you might have a chance to correct the name on the Russian passport (when it is time to renew) if you try to do it here in the States.
The translators botched my wife's patronym which she uses as a middle name. But we just left it alone, because its not worth the effort.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-11 12:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian-Fiance.com
QUOTE (mox @ Dec 14 2007, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Maybe I'm just happy with it because this forum is so low traffic that we can almost always get away with stretching the TOS when we need to. In any case I've been pretty satisfied with the information and discussions here as it is.
I'll second that. I don't even bother posting in the K1 or AOS forum because those people jump on every little thing that is slightly illegal. Heck, before the Russian forum my account was twice suspended for TOS violations because my advice suggested doing something illegal, like having the K1 holder working for cash before and after marriage, but before the EAD, because it will raise money for AOS, which will then forgive the illegal work!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-14 12:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPlease read it
Based on my reading it just means it was transferred to the California Service Center for processing. I don't know where people are getting a waiver from, because that is not written on the notice. But based on their personal experience I guess that is a logical suggestion. It certainly isn't a denial or RFE of your submitted I-485. Just wait is my suggestion.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-18 14:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusI129F Approved - What's next?
QUOTE (Kazan @ Dec 18 2007, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Personally, I'd get to Moscow and take the train to Tallinn, Estonia. Very quaint place and easy to get a visa right at the local Russian consulate. BTW, no Russian or Estonian skills required. They all speak English too! I surely would not fly back to the States when you are this close.
It's a losing proposition because it takes one to two weeks to process a visa and they hold your passport during that time. Unless he owns a place in nearby country, or is willing to stay in some kind of dormitory setting, this will be just as expensive. One day processing at $400+ kills the whole savings idea.
As for my Aeroflot suggestion, they tend to put the tickets up for sale at the End of January early February for that period. Last year I saw $598 from LAX to SVO. Must be cheaper to JFK.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-18 19:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusI129F Approved - What's next?
QUOTE (slim @ Dec 18 2007, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Dude, if you're in Russia, I'm pretty sure you can find someone to "fix" your visa problem for you for way less than the cost of a trip back to NYC.
Slim, it is very difficult to do. I had to jump through some major hoops just to get my Russian visa extended an extra month. They literally refuse to take bribes, because they are afraid for their official jobs. Times are changing and I speak from 2004. You can get a 10 day extension with a fake doctor's note, which is not that hard to get. But beyond that its very hard. Or you can let the visa lapse, and have the Russian court issue an exit visa, but this is all unpredictable, you can face large fines, detention, and be black listed for 5 years on entry into Russia again.
Honestly I don't think he'll get an interview by March 11. Start planning for a return trip to NY. Aeroflot usually has decent deals for tickets bought between February and March and used somewhere in that time space.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-18 14:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAsking the [probably] Impossible...
QUOTE (zhenya.shikarnov @ Dec 19 2007, 01:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What happened with the baby? sad.gif
The bay is now 3 years of age, doing just fine, and had the surgery at six month. Lucky for everyone the surgery was successful with no known side effects. But what would have been a simple and quick procedure in the US turned into a an unnecessary panic and risk. By the way, the Russian doctors did know of the procedure performed the US, but could only suggest going there because it was not available in Tomsk, Siberia. Not exactly a possible proposition for someone who makes a few hundred dollars a month and on such short notice.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-19 19:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAsking the [probably] Impossible...
QUOTE (zhenya.shikarnov @ Dec 19 2007, 08:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And my own experience is thus: I had a bought of severe chest pains one night last year. We called for Skoraya Pomish, and the ambulance took an hour to get to me (this is in a city of 400,000). When they arrived, one EMT was noticeably drunk, the other was a dirty elderly woman who couldn't have possibly had the strength to do CPR for more than a few minutes. The echo they did was abnormal, so they took me to the hospital in their filthy smokey smelly ambulance. They hadn't even any defibrillator with them or in the ambulance. And it's not like they didn't know they were coming to treat a heart patient.

In the hospital (if you can call it that), the doctors were all unkempt, dirty, clearly groggy from being woken up. The walls were disgusting, wires everywhere, dust and debris under every radiator and by every window sill. Beds weren't clean, doors didn't shut. The staff was as far from professional or discreet as I'd ever known. If I wasn't sick before going to that hospital, I surely would get something while there. I survived the experience, obviously, but I after days of unproductive poking and prodding at various clinics in Ivanovo, I had to fly back to NY to get a real diagnosis that was made after the docs looked inside me with modern tools (what a novel idea!) and found a nerve pinch in my neck that ended up causing all kinds of stress in my chest area.

Believe me -- I will NEVER allow my baby to be born in the kinds of conditions present in Ivanovo, or with those kinds of idiots calling themselves doctors. Ira knows it. She also knows why. And she knows the experience that shaped my opinion.

I know that women have been having babies for a long time. And I know western medicine isn't the be all and end all of medical science -- but when something goes wrong with your baby's health (and every time a woman goes into labor, the roulette wheel starts spinning), where would you rather be? Honestly...

Sorry for the rant.. But Ivanovo medicine is really a sore topic for me ...

Z
Just to summarize:
1. Russians have been known for saying that you go to the hospital to die.
2. Russian hospitals are famous for making cripples out of their patients.

Just to give you an example, I am no medical expert so, I'll use laymen terms. My sister -in-law had a child with a heart defect that required under US medical conditions a shot administered directly to the heart in order to close it. The dose has to be very small. So small that only modern technology can be used. The dose must be delivered within 10 days of birth to be effective. If it is not done a surgery with greater risk to death is performed when the child is 6 months of age, in the meantime a risk of death or developmental problems continue. The Russian doctors diagnosed the problem but were unable to do delivery the dose of medicine due to lack of technology. It's these small issues that can become really big problems when dealing with Russian medical care, that make me shy away from ever relying on their care.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-19 14:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAsking the [probably] Impossible...
QUOTE (groovlstk @ Dec 19 2007, 07:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm not in agreement here, there are many reasons not to do this, chief among them insurance (does his family policy cover her medical expenses in Russia?) and the likelihood that he may not be there for the birth of his child - and if he is there, how long can he stay? How long will his wife stay? I have no idea at what age infants can fly, but I would never put my wife and child through a 12-hour flight even months after our child is born.
Just to counter your reasons, his wife and the child will both receive free medical care in Russia, because after all they will be / are Russian citizens. His wife and child will be able to stay, forever, because of their citizenship status. Infants can literally fly the day they are born, flown in the America lately? How long can he stay, that is one problem. And the biggest problem will still be the state of the Russian medical facilities and their arcane ways of neonatal care. No father allowed, better yet, no one allowed. Taking the children away from the mother and leaving them alone, and only brining them for feeding only. Wrapping the children up to prevent any limb movement until like the age of 6 months. In many ways our prison system and our farm systems are more hospitable then Russian birthing homes.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-19 11:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMarrying in Russia----Letter of Eligibility to Marry???
QUOTE (Chris Parker @ Dec 23 2007, 05:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The U.S. embassy has webpages with a sample affidavit and instructions on how to proceed. As always, expect the process to be unnecessarily overcomplicated.
Just to complete your post see below:
http://moscow.usemba..._id=acsmarriage
http://vladivostok.u...csmarryrus.html

Edited by Satellite, 23 December 2007 - 10:25 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-23 10:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSpouse's permanent residence doesn't match current for the I-130?
QUOTE (Nick_Moscow @ Dec 23 2007, 09:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, Satellite, perhaps this is a similar situation to your wife’s previous living condition, with some sort of flat rate per person. You can be sure that that rate was INCREDIBLY low by our standards, though-I’m not sure how much dear Valya pays, but after living for a month in a 1BR in Vladimir with Katya, our gas bill was thirty-some-odd rubes. Mind you, we were paying for a winter month, with heat running constantly, cooking every day, etc, and all this gas cost LESS THAN FORTY RUBLES!!! I don’t know if we have subsidized utilities for the northern states, I know that in D.C. electricity costs (I think) more in the Summer due to increased demand, but my typical gas bill back home in the Winter is $300+!
Yeah utlilities are joke in Russia except for the phone bill. It is cheaper for me to call Moscow then for a Russian living in Siberia to do the same. Calling america is still around $1 a minute and the internet is sold by the megabyte or by the minute if on dial up. Both are outrageous. But otherwise, I read a great article that said, if Russian utilities weren't subsidized, and people paid market rate, everyone would move from the north down to say Sochi.
On another note, as we try to reduce our carbon emissions in California, Russians are busy burning wood in the winter to heat their homes. Go figure!

QUOTE (Nick_Moscow @ Dec 23 2007, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My only question, then, is how many of you went this route, and how difficult/helpful/hurtful it was, in your opinions, to your loved ones getting visas.
I'm probably the only one, because most of the folks here are older, have property, good jobs, and a few failed marriages under their belt. It took our combined effort as two working students these last two years to break the minumum required. Student loans can't be used as income. It is really easy. The consulate will be satisfied with the I-134 / I-864 that meets the requirements, they could care less who is the sponsor.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-24 00:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSpouse's permanent residence doesn't match current for the I-130?
QUOTE (Nick_Moscow @ Dec 21 2007, 07:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Did you list their address according to registration, or the actual address at which they lived!?
My wife was never registered period to save money for the family which was billed for their home and utilities based on the amount of people registered. Therefore, we simply put the address where we wanted to receive the embassy packet.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-21 11:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPolice Certificate
QUOTE (shikarnov @ Dec 26 2007, 06:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Why not get the report just in case?
The only logical reason I could think of is that, the police will issue her a huge fine for not being registered during years she attended the university. Although from our experience being registered wasn't a requirement for getting a certificate. They just look at their records and if your name isn't there, they issue a clear report. Of course another reason to avoid getting the report is the cost of travel to the university and then either waiting in that town for it to be produced or making two trips.
Lastly, if you omit from your application that you lived in the other town, how will they prove you did? It does say any place longer than 6 months. If you went on both winter and long summer breaks back to your hometown, it is debatable. If we use the American idea of residence for service of process, any place you intended to live and made your place of abode, it is just as debatable for university settings.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-26 11:18:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVolgograd, Russia - real estate?
QUOTE (Austin_Volgograd @ Dec 26 2007, 11:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ah... I understand. Not dischargeable. But it is counted toward financial obligations. As for the house, I still worry because her name's on the title. Did that to help with the AOS interview. Only chance of me keeping it is to get her to sign it back to me. Otherwise, $2000 in equity doesn't save the house. sad.gif
So I take it the house was recently purchased that it has so little equity or you took a lot out during a refinance? Actually in a community property state two good things happen. (1) A bankruptcy by one spouse drags the community property share of any asset into the bankruptcy estate without their consent. (2) She would only be entitled to her share of the equity that occurred during the marriage whether you put her name on title or not during the marriage. And only payments made towards the principal would count, not say insurance or interest. But if the house went up in value in excess of the purchase price that would of course be split which is the usual case. But since you are talking about a possible foreclosure, which usually leads to a price below market, she might get nothing as your creditors would take everything.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-27 10:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVolgograd, Russia - real estate?
QUOTE (Austin_Volgograd @ Dec 24 2007, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
5. Are you a lawyer in Texas? Fortunately, the divorce will be final quite quickly after the bankruptcy. No more spousal support! Division of property debt? Only the house if I am forced to let them foreclose. There is no other.
No I am not a lawyer from Texas, the information below is just my common knowledge and lay person opinion.
The bankruptcy code is designed to function the same in every jurisdiction.
Therefore pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 523 (a)(5) and 523 (a)(18)):
Alimony and child support payments (court-ordered) are not dischargeable; Divorce and property settlements are not dischargeable unless the other party agrees to it.
But your house should be fine, because the bankruptcy code allows you to use their or your states exemptions. Texas and Florida provided you meet certain requirements will allow you to exempt the value of your homestead instead of the measly $18,000 something the rest of the country gets which is a joke if your equity is huge like in a California home.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-26 11:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVolgograd, Russia - real estate?
QUOTE (Austin_Volgograd @ Dec 24 2007, 02:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife came to the USofA November 1, 2006. I filed for divorce November 15, 2006 after she hit me (yes, domestic abuse). I should have filed charges! Stupid me. wacko.gif We reconciled a short time - long enough for her to get her 2-year green card, at which time her attitude totally changed. She was setting me up for a fall! Well, it's Christmas eve, and she's in Russia - vacationing - to return sometime in January to try and milk me for more money. She still doesn't understand that Texas is NOT an alimony state, and I'm not offering to just give her tons of money after she bankrupt me. Yes, bankrupt! She hid money from me here and in Russia. mad.gif She even propositioned me to delay the divorce so she could get her conditions removed from her green card!!! Talk about nightmares! Well, I'm hoping to get all this over next month and try and salvage my life. It doesn't look good. sad.gif
Sorry to hear about your predicament but here are some general issues you should keep in mind.
1. She has a valid CR1 visa good for two years which she can use to enter the US at any time regardless of your marriage status.
2. Because you guys married in good faith, she can divorce and marry another American and still remove her conditions. Disproving good faith is difficult.
3. Texas is a community property state like California.
4. She can get an attorney and his bills can be used to put a lien on your property.
5. Bankruptcy does not relieve you of any spousal support / divorce division of property debt.
6. You are not alone in the VJ Russian forum to be taken for a ride.
7. I hope you didn't buy any property in Russia which is under her name! If so this lady is really good.
8. Happy Holidays and good luck in the future.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-24 12:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVolgograd, Russia - real estate?

They are very confrontational and since we married, they don't want her to live with them any more. They tell her it's my responsibility.

I wonder what would have happen if your wife married an average Russian man who like your wife is also unable to buy an apartment.
I would try to come to some understanding with her parents. They seem to have high expectations for American men. You should clue them in about what is going on around them in terms of newly wed Russian couples being forced to live with their parents because there is almost no conceivable way two people earning 6000 rubles or less a month can afford a 1 million ruble apartment.

Edited by Satellite, 27 April 2006 - 11:31 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-04-27 23:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVolgograd, Russia - real estate?
Just some general advice:
Russian law forbids foreigners from buying land. You can buy the property but not the land underneath it. So your wife will be probably be the property owner.
With that in mind I hope you have an excellent relationship, as for many second generation Russians it is near impossible to buy a flat of there own at the current prices in comparison to average salaries. Many are forced to live with their parents. I hope there is no potential for a scam.
Recently the trend in Russia is that apartments go up in price faster than actual houses.
As with everything else in Russia, be careful where you invest your money.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-04-27 11:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIntro. Agency
QUOTE (Danno @ Jan 2 2008, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Post her info here, maybe one of us can find a match for her.
Sounds like a good idea considering about 1 out 5 or so of us on here will get taken for a ride by the lady he has now.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-02 19:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBrother in Law is visiting
QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Dec 12 2007, 02:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
my friend says i should have a permanent green card before i can invite my mum for visit is it true/even if my husband supports?
Once again let me explain this common misconception. You DON'T invite anyone and you DON'T really sponsor anyone for a tourist visa. Each applicant applies on their own and gets the visa based on their own ability to prove he or she will return to Russia. Getting a tourist visa is really two pronged. (1) You must have a valid reason to get one (i.e. you are visiting family, going to Disneyland, etc.) and (2) you are not an intending immigrant. Everyone seems to focus on the first. The so called invitation and sponsorship. Instead their attention should be on the second prong. Showing that you have a green card or not has little influence on a valid reason to travel to the US. You can be illegal here for all they care, the purpose of THIS family member is to visit his or her family. As for sponsorship it is a dual edged sword. (1) it helps explain where the non-immigrant will be staying and where the funds for the trip will come from, but on the other hand, it discloses the fact that the applicant is unable to pay for his or her own journey. Thus putting the second prong in jeopardy.
There is also a question on the DS-156 which asks if the applicant has any immediate relatives in the US, (e.g. children or spouse), once again this is a double edge sword because immediate relatives are a source which can sponsor the applicant in his goal of overstaying his or her visa.

Edited by Satellite, 12 December 2007 - 10:51 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-12 22:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMosocw Medical Exam Controversy
QUOTE (mox @ Dec 18 2007, 09:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (seanconneryii @ Dec 18 2007, 08:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The Russian women want into America...not Europe or Australia or Asia...but the USA. Who can blame them? So, we, the American men are the beneficiaries of this situation.
A lot of FSU women wind up with men in Europe, the UK, and Canada. Jump on to any Russian dating sites and you'll find lots of profiles for women who want a man in Germany, mostly due to the fact that German is one of the primary foreign languages taught in Russia.
I don't know what "a lot" means, but lets not forget that the MAJORITY of Russian women marry Russian men and the MAJORITY live in Russia. Therefore, the ones you find on these dating sites are the MINORITY. If you don't count the people living in the former Soviet Republics as Russians living outside of Russia the number is pretty small compared to the total population.
http://en.wikipedia....ussian_diaspora
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-18 13:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMosocw Medical Exam Controversy
QUOTE (novotul @ Dec 14 2007, 05:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife's "rape by instrumentation" (I used to live in Oklahoma and what she is experienced is criminalized in that state under the rubric "rape by instrumentation") occurred in Sept '05 at MOM when she was going for her K1.
I went ahead and looked this one up.
http://oklegal.onene... 852614634632 F
However, I am curious, didn't your wife consent to being at the clinic and going to the medical exam?
Also none of the elements of
§1111:
http://www.oscn.net/...sp?CiteID=69602
seem to be met.

I don't think this statute was intended to be used to accuse every physician performing a pelvic exam of rape. Instead, I gather it was written to catch those acts of rape which occurred without using body parts in the traditional settings, per section 1111.

You might have a better case that a pelvic exam is not necessary for this kind of medical exam, but that typically does not amount to a crime.

Although there have been cases of physicians committing rape during these gynecological exams, it usually involves very blatant acts and requires the multiple victims to prove.

So in conclusion if this occurred in the states, you would still have a very hard case to prove.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-14 12:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhat should she bring?
QUOTE (Danno @ Jan 3 2008, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't think "size" will be an issue with clothes as Natalia is 46 kilo which is a typical petite size.
Is that the weight mentioned in the bride catalog? Sorry couldn't resist. Could you post the Breast, Waist, and Hips measurements as well? Should be around 90-90-90 cm for ideal tongue.gif
http://www.visajourn...h...c=63045&hl=

Edited by Satellite, 04 January 2008 - 05:42 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-04 17:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow the best way to do travel.
QUOTE (mox @ Jan 2 2008, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Danno @ Jan 2 2008, 06:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
2. Is there any discount for 10 yr old kid?
Nope. A seat is a seat no matter who is sitting in it.
Many airlines who do international flights will give you a discount if are between the ages of 2-11. Just play around with it on a site like travelocity to figure it out. If the child flies alone, then usually not. Children under 2 who sit on their lap usually for free. Some Russian airlines even offer youth fares for anyone under 25. Those deals usually cannot be ordered online.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-03 18:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusdivorce papers
QUOTE (mox @ Jan 6 2008, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It may be a case that nowhere in Russia is her marriage recorded, but Russia *does* recognize marriages performed in the US. Hence, while Russia may not realize they are recognizing her marriage, they do recognize her marriage. (Gads I hope that made sense.) So it would be a good idea for her to have valid proof that the marriage is dissolved. I would definitely get an apostilized copy of the divorce certificate before leaving the US in case it ever became an issue. If you are going back to Russia forever, it may just sit and collect dust for the rest of your life. But it's good to have just in case.
Using your same logic, wouldn't you agree that Russia would also recognize her divorce as well as her marriage in the US even if no "legally recognized" document exists? I think it works both ways using your logic. It would be silly to say they "recognize" the marriage and not the divorce?

Edited by Satellite, 07 January 2008 - 12:05 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-07 12:03:00