KEY POINTS:
The Auckland man who allegedly faked his own death faced mounting debts, tax problems and the possibility of benefit fraud charges.
The Weekend Herald has learned he abandoned three children.
His wife, who presumed him dead, went on to collect a $1 million life insurance policy.
Court documents
show the man, who cannot be identified because of a suppression order, was known as a caring father before he disappeared at a Port Waikato beach in late 2002.
He was later legally declared dead, presumed suicide, but had actually started a new life in Christchurch.
He was uncovered last month.
The documents, presented for the declaration of death, show the man and his wife - who had just separated - had been the subjects of a lengthy Inland Revenue investigation.
In an affidavit, the wife said the man's income-tax liability had been uncovered. After taking legal advice they feared that benefits they were paid while he worked would also be uncovered and that they could be prosecuted by Work and Income.
The couple had no way of paying back the estimated $47,000 in benefits to mitigate a jail sentence.
"[The man] wanted to ensure that I was not prosecuted, that I did not receive a jail sentence. I am aware that this weighed heavily with him," the wife said.
"[He] himself was worried about going to jail. He was fearful that he would not be able to handle jail."
The man was arrested last month after applying for a passport under his real name, and faces fraud charges in relation to two life insurance policies, and dishonestly using a document.
He is in custody and due to reappear in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday.
The wife was initially named as a party to the fraud but police no longer believe she was involved.
It is unclear if she will be able to keep the insurance payout.
Court documents show the husband and wife separated four months before his disappearance. Her affidavit said he had had an affair.
They had two children, who were both under 10 at the time.
The man had another child from his first marriage.
The wife described an argument they had before his disappearance in which he said "the only way to fix the problem with Winz and the IRD was for him to end his life so that I could make a claim on his life insurance and this would enable debts to be cleared and for the children to be set up financially for their lifetimes".
The wife's affidavit said his love of his children was the reason she believed he was dead: "He would never miss the children's birthdays. He'd never forget our wedding anniversary. He would never forget my birthday."
The attachment to his offspring was also voiced by his first wife, who said he cared deeply for their child.
His lawyer, brother and mother-in-law made similar comments.
MOUNTING UP
What "dead man" owed:
* $47,000 in wrongly paid unemployment benefit
* $20,000 to Inland Revenue
* $9000 for car
* $5000 to finance company
