accounting

‘We went through all of my 401(k) investments’: I lost my job, then my home. Do I have any claim to my wife’s $200,000 inheritance?

‘We went through all of my 401(k) investments’: I lost my job, then my home. Do I have any claim to my wife’s $200,000 inheritance?

Dear Quentin, My wife and I have been married for over 30 years. Throughout the years, we relied mainly on my income. My wife worked occasionally, but mainly raised the children. We started to struggle financially when I was laid off. We went through all of my 401(k) investments. I lost my home through a …

‘We went through all of my 401(k) investments’: I lost my job, then my home. Do I have any claim to my wife’s $200,000 inheritance? Read More »

‘I didn’t see how this could happen’: My brother drained $200K from my mother’s savings

‘I didn’t see how this could happen’: My brother drained $200K from my mother’s savings

I read and hear so much about adult siblings who always got along, but suddenly start fighting among themselves when they are about to inherit their parents’ estate. I didn’t see how this could happen to my family — until now. We’re not at that point, but things are getting tense. I am the middle …

‘I didn’t see how this could happen’: My brother drained $200K from my mother’s savings Read More »

'Low-paying jobs are the economy's way of saying you should get a better job': I've decided to stop tipping, except at restaurants. Am I wrong?

‘Low-paying jobs are the economy’s way of saying you should get a better job’: I’ve decided to stop tipping, except at restaurants. Am I wrong?

I have read your columns about tipping, and I am happy to say that I have decided to completely stop tipping — except for a meal in a restaurant. Fast food, coffee shops etc.? Not anymore. I’m a tradesman, and we pay for our tools, vehicles and years of training while earning zip. I refuse …

‘Low-paying jobs are the economy’s way of saying you should get a better job’: I’ve decided to stop tipping, except at restaurants. Am I wrong? Read More »

I want my brother to inherit my estate. I've three other siblings. Do I need an attorney? What could go wrong? 

I want my brother to inherit my estate. I’ve three other siblings. Do I need an attorney? What could go wrong? 

Dear Quentin, I am in my 60s — a widow with no kids, but a big extended family. I own my own house and car. I have a couple of investment accounts, a savings account and a pension. I have listed one of my brothers as beneficiary for all of my assets. What can I …

I want my brother to inherit my estate. I’ve three other siblings. Do I need an attorney? What could go wrong?  Read More »

I’m 35 and mortgage-free. My boyfriend, 55, wants me to move into his house and help pay off his mortgage. What should I do?

I’m 35 and mortgage-free. My boyfriend, 55, wants me to move into his house and help pay off his mortgage. What should I do?

Dear Moneyist, I’m 35 and have been dating a man 20 years older than me; he is 55. I have a 5-year-old child. Things were going well until we started having conversations about the relationship being serious and possibly merging our assets.  He shared his home with his ex-wife after being married for 20 years. …

I’m 35 and mortgage-free. My boyfriend, 55, wants me to move into his house and help pay off his mortgage. What should I do? Read More »

‘I cook and clean’: I live with my boyfriend. We’re 51. I pay for all utilities and groceries. Now he wants me to pay half his mortgage.

‘I cook and clean’: I live with my boyfriend. We’re 51. I pay for all utilities and groceries. Now he wants me to pay half his mortgage.

Dear Quentin, I have been in a relationship with this man for five years. I moved into his home a year ago. The plan was for me to pay all the utilities, dog expenses, and groceries. I cook and clean, and take care of things around the house and now he is asking me to …

‘I cook and clean’: I live with my boyfriend. We’re 51. I pay for all utilities and groceries. Now he wants me to pay half his mortgage. Read More »

If I buy a home with an inheritance and only put my name on the deed, does my husband have any rights? 

If I buy a home with an inheritance and only put my name on the deed, does my husband have any rights? 

I’m aware that property acquired during a marriage is generally considered marital property.  However, I believe you noted in a recent column that this is also true of a house purchased during a marriage with only one name on the deed.  If one individual receives an inheritance during the marriage, purchases a home solely out …

If I buy a home with an inheritance and only put my name on the deed, does my husband have any rights?  Read More »

Biden’s latest fiduciary rule proposal has many critics — here’s why 

Biden’s latest fiduciary rule proposal has many critics — here’s why 

The potential return of the fiduciary rule, which if passed would require more stringent regulations of financial advisers, received a mixed reception, with many in the financial services industry objecting to what it sees as “unnecessary” regulation.  The White House announced on Tuesday its latest proposal focused on retirement savings. The law, if passed, would …

Biden’s latest fiduciary rule proposal has many critics — here’s why  Read More »

My wife and I bought a beautiful lakeside home for $700,000. It’s now worth $1.2 million. Do we sell now to avoid capital gains?

My wife and I bought a beautiful lakeside home for $700,000. It’s now worth $1.2 million. Do we sell now to avoid capital gains?

Dear Quentin, My wife and I were fortunate to retire and buy a house for about $700,000 in a growing lake community in 2012. The work-from-home boom of the past few years has increased local housing prices significantly — you can imagine how the ability to do business while sitting on your dock increases housing …

My wife and I bought a beautiful lakeside home for $700,000. It’s now worth $1.2 million. Do we sell now to avoid capital gains? Read More »

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