Shared bank account, cell phone account, lease etc?

[tapioca]

Hello,

My fiance (I'm a US citizen, she is not) is pressing me to open a joint bank account with her and get her a cell phone in both of our names and add her name to our apartment lease as she thinks this will make a stronger case when we apply for her Green Card. I have no problem adding her name to our lease, but I'm concerned about a joint bank account and cell phone as she tends to spend irresponsibly (as in way beyond her means). How much of a necessity are these shared accounts in proving that we have a real relationship and in her ultimately getting her green card, etc?

Thanks!!!

 

[Jackolantern]

I have no problem adding her name to our lease, but I'm concerned about a joint bank account and cell phone as she tends to spend irresponsibly (as in way beyond her means).

Then don't put everything into the joint account. Keep your own separate accounts, and also have the joint account. Then periodically put money into the joint account as needed only to pay certain agreed-upon expenses like the rent; other personal spending goes from the individual accounts. You could even cut up the ATM/debit card of the joint account to make it difficult to use the account for anything other than writing checks to pay bills.

A joint account is very important. It's not a dealbreaker by itself, but the lack of one means the rest of your evidence has to be that much stronger.

But don't feel pressure to have a joint account before you actually get married. They don't really expect you to have joint finances or live together before marriage.