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Should wedding guests have to sign a waiver?

By Jeanne Fleming, Ph.D. and Leonard Schwarz

Question: My fiancé's wealthy aunt and uncle agreed to let us use their beautiful lake-view home for our wedding, and we've sent out the invitations. But now they're insisting that each guest sign a form releasing them from any liability in the event of an accident. I'm appalled. Are they being unreasonable, or am I just naive?

Answer: You're naïve only if you imagine that liability MORE

When a deal is a steal

By Jeanne Fleming, Ph.D. and Leonard Schwarz

Question: My husband has negotiated a price for painting our house that's significantly lower than a bid we got a while back from the same small business. I think he may be taking unfair advantage of people who are hurting in the recession. Is he?

Answer: Remember the good old days - you know, two years ago? As we recall, painters weren't reluctant to push MORE

Can a parent spend the kids' inheritance?

by Jeanne Fleming, Ph.D. and Leonard Schwarz

Question: Two years ago my father left a large inheritance to my brother's young girls - that is, to his grandchildren. Recently my brother used all of it, plus some of his own money, to buy a vacation home for his family (he says there are good deals out there these days). Was this ethical, or did Michael cheat his kids?

Answer: Not only did MORE

Paying for your partner's divorce

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: The man I love is married to another woman. He wants to leave her, but he says that he can't afford to get a divorce - that he'll lose his house and end up with huge child support payments. I have the resources to help him out. But I'm wondering, is it ethical for me, his girlfriend, to subsidize Danny's divorce? Answer: There is MORE

Should friends charge finder's fees?

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: A good friend is investing $25,000 in an alternative-energy deal that looks very promising. He says he can arrange for me to get into it, but in exchange he wants 10% of whatever profit I make. I think he's being incredibly greedy, but he says that he deserves to be compensated for opening an otherwise closed door. Does he?

Answer: If the dealmaker's MORE

Bailing relatives out of an underwater home

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: My brother-in-law recently asked me to lend him $10,000 to tide him over till he finds a new job. He's offered me a second mortgage as security, but I doubt there's ten grand of equity left in his house, plus it's a trophy property they never really could afford. Still, I don't want my sister to lose her home. What should I do? MORE

Footing the bill for a laid-off friend

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: I'm one of four good friends who rent a house together. Last fall one of us lost her job. Amy pays rent from her savings, but whenever we all go out, the other three of us always pick up her tab. Amy's not close to finding a new job, and this is getting expensive. When can we stop?

Answer: You and your roommates MORE

Hiding marital assets from a would-be ex

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: I've decided to leave my husband, so I've begun transferring things from our home – mostly stuff from my family – to a storage locker I've secretly rented. Chris can be petty. Once he learns I want a divorce, he'll try to get everything he can, even items he doesn't care about. Am I doing anything wrong?

Answer: As the queen of heartaches MORE

Reneging on a financial promise

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: When my father-in-law learned we were planning to move to a community with better schools, he said he'd send our sons to parochial schools here. He paid for their first semester, but hasn't paid since. Doesn't he have an obligation to honor this commitment? He's not hurting for money, and we stayed because of his promise.

Answer: We sure hope you're not counting on MORE

Cutting out charity in tough times

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: Dennis and I were hoping to retire this summer, but with the stock market slide, we now have to continue working. Until we replenish our nest egg, we'd like to cut back on giving to the local food bank, but we fear it will fold if we don't make our annual, substantial gift. What should we do?

Answer: Tough times mean tough decisions. But MORE

Misrepresenting yourself to land a job

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: I recently opened my own graphic design business. A prospective client is coming to my new office for a meeting, and I plan to hire two temps for the day, to give the appearance that my firm is busy. A friend says this is wrong. But since no one will get hurt, how can it be?

Answer: Do we have a great job candidate MORE

Snubbing guests at the holiday party

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: Friends always hold a lavish holiday party, which we enjoy attending. Another regular guest is a wealthy neighbor who is facing securities fraud charges, charges that are clearly well-founded. Must we chat pleasantly with this man, or is it okay to convey by way of our frosty manner that we're disgusted by his dishonorable behavior?

Answer: Why stop with the cold shoulder? Why not MORE

On the hook for our son's mistake

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: My seven-year-old son and our neighbors' son were roughhousing at our neighbors' home when my son accidentally broke their new high-def TV. I replaced the set. Shouldn't our neighbors have offered to pay for half, since they ought to have been keeping a closer eye on the kids?

Answer: You're right that you are on the hook for the loss. Parents are responsible for MORE

Strong-armed for charity

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: I'm a salesman with a small company whose CEO is on the board of the local United Way. Everyone here is expected to participate in the firm's annual fundraising drive for the agency. I disapprove of some things about the United Way and don't want to contribute. But my co-workers all say I'll be hurting my career if I don't. What should I MORE

Making a buck off a relative

by JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. and LEONARD SCHWARZ

Question: A few years ago I gave my sister my old car. Now Emma's bought a new one and sold mine to our 18-year-old brother. I'm furious she didn't just give the car to Colin, as I gave it to her. Mom says that I should mind my own business, that Emma isn't as well off as I am. Who's right?

Answer: Sorry, but unless MORE