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Providing answers to life's money questions

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My wife and I sold our home to her son at a $100,000 discount. He’s now selling at a $250,000 profit. Do I ask for a cut?

“My wife is a very experienced and successful Realtor. She knows what the house is worth.”

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My brothers are co-owners of our ailing mother’s accounts worth $1.9 million. I’m listed on a $100,000 brokerage account. How can I rectify this?

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‘I don’t like the idea of dying alone’: I’m 54, twice divorced and have $2.3 million. My girlfriend wants to get married. How do I protect myself?

Do you have questions about inheritance, tipping, weddings, re-gifting, or any tricky money issues relating to family and friends? Send them to MarketWatch's Moneyist.

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How to start planning for your retirement as a teenager

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My wife and I sold our home to her son at a $100,000 discount. He’s now selling at a $250,000 profit. Do I ask for a cut?

Read full story

My brothers are co-owners of our ailing mother’s accounts worth $1.9 million. I’m listed on a $100,000 brokerage account. How can I rectify this?

Read full story

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More from The Moneyist

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‘If I say the sky is blue, she’ll tell me it’s green’: My daughter, 19, will inherit $800,000. How can she invest in her future?

Jan. 31, 2024 at 8:59 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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I inherited $246,000 from my mother and used $142,000 to pay off our mortgage. If we divorce, can I get it back?

Jan. 31, 2024 at 6:35 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘They have no running water’: Our neighbors constantly hit us up for money. My husband gave them $400. Is it selfish to say no?

Jan. 30, 2024 at 8:36 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My partner is against marriage. I’m not on the deed to his home, but he set up a revocable trust in case he dies first. Is this risky?

Jan. 29, 2024 at 1:33 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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I want my son to inherit my $1.2 million house. Should I leave it to my second husband in my will? He promised to pass it on.

Jan. 27, 2024 at 2:19 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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I asked my elderly father to quitclaim his home so I can refinance it — and take out a $200,000 annuity for my sister and me. Is this a good idea?

Jan. 27, 2024 at 9:31 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My Tinder match asked if I ‘rent or own’ my apartment. Is it gauche to ask financial questions before a first date?

Jan. 27, 2024 at 7:26 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My in-laws asked me to relinquish any claim to $100,000 they gave us as a down payment for our house — on the day we closed. Is that legal?

Jan. 27, 2024 at 4:55 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘I can’t afford to keep paying for two households’: My adult sons live rent-free in my house, while I pay for 50% of utilities in my second husband’s condo

Jan. 21, 2024 at 1:25 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My brother lives in our parents’ home, which we’ll inherit 50/50. I want to keep it in the family for my children. How do I protect my interests?

Jan. 21, 2024 at 1:21 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘She’s obsessed’: My mom moved into my house and refuses to move out. She has paid for repairs and appliances. What should I do?

Jan. 20, 2024 at 3:06 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My cousin left his estate to 6 relatives, but only one cousin, worth $30 million, received the inheritance — due to an ‘unexpected surprise’

Jan. 18, 2024 at 12:15 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘I hate the 9-to-5 grind’: I want more time with my newborn son. Should I give up my job and dip into my six-figure trust fund?

Jan. 16, 2024 at 11:42 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My parents want to pay off my $200,000 mortgage, and move into my rental. They say I’ll owe my sister $100,000. Is this fair?

Jan. 16, 2024 at 5:40 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My dad wants to take out a mortgage, but Sallie Mae won’t release him as cosigner on my $153,000 student loan. What can we do?

Jan. 14, 2024 at 11:32 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My friend discovered he had a biological daughter 60 years ago. Does she — or her family — have a claim on his estate?

Jan. 14, 2024 at 10:50 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My sister owns properties in Hawaii, yet refuses to make a will. If she dies, will our half-sibling inherit anything?

Jan. 14, 2024 at 3:57 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘My father, 75, died without a will’: His ex-wife, fiancée and children are hiding his financial documents. What can I do?

Jan. 9, 2024 at 7:15 p.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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My sister and her ex-husband promised, in their divorce decree, to repay my loan. They never did. Is this legally binding?

Jan. 7, 2024 at 8:08 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell
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‘He broke down in tears’: I gave my contractor $100,000, but he used it to pay off his debts. What chance do I have of getting my money back?

Jan. 7, 2024 at 8:06 a.m. ET by Quentin Fottrell