I bought my mother-in-law a condo — and she took out a $30,000 car loan. Now she refuses to get a roommate.

The Moneyist

‘She has received a small inheritance, an annuity and also receives Social Security so she’s not penniless’

Last Updated: June 8, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. ET
First Published: June 5, 2025 at 5:26 a.m. ET

Dear Quentin,

I have a complicated money issue. About 3 years ago, my mother-in-law was widowed and she subsequently was evicted from her rental home that she could no longer afford. Even though her late husband made a six-figure income for 30 years, they had no savings and routinely filed for bankruptcy (every 7 years) due to her being irresponsible with credit.

To save her from being homeless after the eviction, my husband and I let my mother-in-law move in with us for 6 months, but it quickly became an untenable situation as my husband and his mother do not get along. So we purchased a condo in a high-cost-of-living area and have been allowing her to live in it rent-free since 2022.