Hi! I'm planning on sponsoring my spouse for immigration to Canada next year. We have a 13-year relationship and we're married with a son, so proving the genuineness of the relationship will be a non-issue. However, I have a daughter in Canada from a previous marriage. I have a good relationship with her, and her mother and I continue to be on good terms. My issue is related to child support. I can't remember (it was years ago!) whether the court dictated a certain child-support payment schedule when we divorced, but my ex-wife and I have always just worked this out on our own as my employment has changed over the years and I've been in and out of the country. She's always been satisfied with this arrangement, and I frequently give my daughter money, gifts, etc. directly. Here are my questions:
1. Is "court-ordered child support" a given with every divorce involving children? Or is this specific to situations where the divorcing parties have disagreements and the court gets involved, etc.?
2. Should I include a letter from my ex-wife stating that I've fulfilled my financial obligations as a father? Is such a letter likely to satisfy the official in charge of my case? Should such a letter include dollar amounts?
3. What further documentary evidence is necessary, or likely to prevent delays in our application? This will be very difficult to document because I've spent most of the past few years out of the country as a stay-at-home father and child support (which comes basically from my current wife's salary) gets wired to my parents on a very irregular basis and lumped together with other money I send them. Then, it passes to my ex-wife from my parents in cash-form.
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
1. Is "court-ordered child support" a given with every divorce involving children? Or is this specific to situations where the divorcing parties have disagreements and the court gets involved, etc.?
2. Should I include a letter from my ex-wife stating that I've fulfilled my financial obligations as a father? Is such a letter likely to satisfy the official in charge of my case? Should such a letter include dollar amounts?
3. What further documentary evidence is necessary, or likely to prevent delays in our application? This will be very difficult to document because I've spent most of the past few years out of the country as a stay-at-home father and child support (which comes basically from my current wife's salary) gets wired to my parents on a very irregular basis and lumped together with other money I send them. Then, it passes to my ex-wife from my parents in cash-form.
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!