DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are writing our will. Our sticking point is my son’s wife. She’s had affairs and spends money like crazy that they don’t have.
Is there any way to protect from her any inheritance he might receive from us?
We considered hiring a private investigator, but we weren’t sure what we would do if an ongoing affair came to light. We couldn’t tell our son.
Please help us decide.
— TOUCH IN TEXAS
DEAR ACTIVE: Since laws vary from state to state, the person who should answer this question would be your attorney or CPA. They can advise you on how to draft your will and estate plans.
PS Because your daughter-in-law has a history of infidelity, if you hire a private investigator and he finds evidence that she is cheating again, you should let your son know and the context in which the discovery was made.
DEAR ABBY: My wife continually dirties the floors in our house because she refuses to stop wearing shoes around the house.
She will be outside all day – at work, running errands, etc. – then will come home and keep his same shoes. She even did some yard work and then came home wearing those same shoes!
It’s a family trait for her; his mother does the same thing at home. We recently visited his aunt and uncle, who both wore outdoor shoes indoors!
How can I convince my wife that our house is dirty precisely because of this?
— IN MY SLIPPERS
DEAR SLIPPERS: According to the August 2024 issue of Consumer Reports, half of household dust is dragged or carried into homes from outside. The soles of our shoes can also contain viruses and other unhealthy and unpleasant substances.
Having an indoor/outdoor policy in place can help keep your home cleaner, but lifelong habits are hard to break and your wife might have a hard time changing.
A workable compromise might be to have a doormat outside to scrape dust and debris from shoes. Offer it to him as a possible solution.
DEAR ABBY: My stepson invited my husband and I to his house for Thanksgiving this year. After agreeing to go, I found out the meal would be vegetarian lasagna.
I think this is inconsiderate to my son-in-law and his wife, because they know that my husband and I have always enjoyed traditional Thanksgiving (including the Thanksgiving meal of roast turkey).
Please, what is your opinion? I feel like it’s not Thanksgiving without turkey.
— DESIRE FOR PARTY IN THE SOUTH
DEAR WANT: I’m so glad you asked. Celebrating Thanksgiving is a tradition in which families and friends come together to give thanks for being together and enjoy the food, friendship, and freedoms we are privileged to have in this country.
If you need protein, get some before you leave.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
