Winston wrote:Dianne told me that she wants me to get US citizenship for Angelo so that he can have more opportunities when he grows up to live abroad or travel abroad.
However, when I told her that I would only do that if she would sign a contract promising not to sue me for child support with the US government, she refused. Apparently, she wants to leave the door open to sue me for child support if she has to. That's a bad sign I think.
What should I do? Even if she signed such a contract, would it actually prevent her from being able to sue me for extra child support or abusing the system?
As you know, Dianne visited me and some of my friends in Makati on the day of the Pacquiao Mayweather fight.
Be careful. She opened up a bit to us. But she sung a somewhat different tune than your post above. She said that she was fine signing that document agreeing not to sue. But that you just refused to get the DNA test needed for naturalization. You should at least get a low cost test to find out for sure whether or not you are the biological father, even if that test is not accepted by embassies.
I do doubt that that such a document would be of much use to you if she decided at some point to sue. I believe that in the eyes of the US law, child support is an obligation. Dianne signing some agreement with you does not absolve you of that responsibility. Once you are the proven father, she could easily sue for it if she was on USA soil or perhaps even if she was not. Actually, since your name is on Angelo's birth certificate, she still might have a case if she found the right lawyer. But I didn't tell her that.
Also, she said you are chronically late in sending school feels for Angelo and that you are not willing to use Western Union in China for some reason. (I used Western Union several times in Shenzhen and Dongguan to make international transfers in cash or bank accounts and it was relatively easy). So she is forced to sign promissory notes with the school to cover the shortfalls. If that's true Winston, it's a real shame.
Ideally, the decision on whether or not to get a USA and or Taiwan citizenship for Angelo can be delayed until he is an adult and can make his own call on it (assuming you want him to be raised and schooled in Philippines). But I don't know if that's possible or if waiting will make it more difficult to do. A competent immigration lawyer could provide you with a comprehensive list of options and possibilities.
Anyway, I did explain to Dianne that there are at least the following downsides to other citizenships for Angelo:
USA:
a. Getting logged into USA tax and reporting system which will require a lot of burdensome annual paperwork and possible extra tax expenses (assuming he lives outside of USA) for him once he reaches adulthood.
b. If he spends significant time in USA, the toxic social culture may influence him and damage his relationship with Dianne. This is particularly true if he lives there at a younger age.
Taiwan:
a. He may be required to serve in Taiwan military.
b. If he goes there at a younger age, he might get influenced by the culture which could distance him from Dianne. He might also be discriminated against and develop shame for his background since many Taiwanese still seem to look down on Filipinos. In contrast, his mixed blood may be a source of pride and privilege in the Philippines.