• Advice

    Posted on October 13th, 2009

    Written by Judy

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    Know-It-All Cousin

    Dear Judy,
    Our first cousin knows everything, especially about my mother, who died recently of a heart attack. Whenever someone in the immediate family makes a decision — or plans a party — or buys an expensive item — this first cousin says, “Your mother wouldn’t have liked that!” or “Your mother would have wanted the rest [...]

  • Advice

    Posted on September 25th, 2009

    Written by Judy

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    Can I Ignore My Father’s Last Wishes?

    Dear Judy
    My father, who has lung cancer, has told me that he’s left pretty much everything to me in his will. I’m an old child, now 30. But he’s also asked me to give some of the cash I inherit to my first cousin, his sister’s son, who never has held down a real job, [...]

  • Advice

    Posted on July 13th, 2009

    Written by Judy

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    Pain-in-the-Neck Mourner

    Dear Judy,
    Okay. My first cousin has had a hard life. Maybe a very hard life. Abusive father who always belittled her (my uncle — naturally) and a nutty younger brother whom she had to support for years until he died. Which broke her heart.
    Our problem? (here I’m talking about the rest of our entire family). She feels [...]