FEATURES
6A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Sis forces dad into poverty
Dear Annie: After my mother
died 10 years ago, Dad asked his
four daughters what to do with the
small cabin he owned upstate. Three
of us told him to sell it. My oldest
sister, “Charlene,” however, asked
if she could use it as a vacation
home. She said she would help pay
the property taxes and make sure it
was taken care of, in exchange for
exclusive use and enjoyment of the
property. Dad agreed.
Well, Charlene rarely paid the
taxes and did not take care of the
property at all. Dad retired three
years ago, and told Charlene he
needed to sell the place. In response,
she placed two mechanics liens
against it, stating that she’d put
thousands of dollars of “work” into
the cabin and that Dad had prom-
ised her the deed. Neither of these
things is true and she has no docu-
mentation to support her claims.
When we inally gained access
to the house, there were holes in
the loor and the roof was falling
off. We took pictures of the dam-
age. There was a hearing and a dis-
missal, then an appeal and more
liens and more hearings and more
appeals. We thought it was over
last year, but we just received
another summons to appear before
a different judge. Meanwhile, we
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Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
cannot sell the cabin until this is
resolved.
My father is a fair man who had
planned to split his estate equally
between his daughters. Since this
lawsuit started, he has disowned
Charlene and now lives in near
poverty due to all of the legal fees.
This is so hurtful. Dad supported
Charlene, paid for her college edu-
cation and two weddings. Now she
is killing him one lawsuit at a time,
all because she is so greedy. How
can we protect him? — Sisters
Dear Sisters: As long as Char-
lene keeps iling new lawsuits, your
father is stuck. She, too, is incurring
legal fees, but may believe Dad will
give up irst. If the cabin is worth
substantially more than the liens,
it might be possible for Dad to get
a clean title and sell it, as long as
money is left in escrow to pay for
litigation. (Talk to Dad’s attorney.)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
But we hope you will report Char-
lene for elder abuse, because forc-
ing Dad into poverty its the bill.
Contact Adult Protective Services
in Dad’s area, or call the Eldercare
Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Dear Annie: I am responding
to “Fed Up Sister,” whose younger
brother only contacts her to brag
about how much money he has,
how great his kids are, etc. She’s
ready to cut off ties.
I grew up with a friend like
that. He alienated everyone with
his bragging, and as the years pro-
gressed, I became one of the very
few he could still call a friend. It
takes great effort to listen to a per-
son who is so insecure, but it is
extremely generous to continue.
I know my friend isn’t likely to
change. He may mellow for brief
periods, but his lack of conidence
will take over eventually.
Please tell “Fed Up” not to try
to force her brother to be someone
else. She should take him in the
smallest doses she can, and chuckle
to herself later about his insecuri-
ties. — S.
Dear S.: We agree that she
should try to take him in “small
doses,” and maintain the relation-
ship in a way that doesn’t make her
resentful. Thanks.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You can see
the event in your review mirror, but to un-
derstand how the events are connected, the
view from an airplane is better. Distance plus
altitude equals a very helpful perspective.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A relationship
will keep you guessing. One minute you’ll be
enthralled, the next you’ll be baffled; then
comes a heated exchange, either between
you and the other person or between you
and your heart.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s good to
give. It’s even better to give knowing that the
favor will never be returned. Best of all will be
an anonymous gift: That’s the kind that will
have the farthest reaching and most impact-
ful repercussions.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s the usual
question on everyone’s mind today: “What’s
in it for me?” Don’t make your sales pitch or
request until you can answer that one in a
multitude of ways.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). This afternoon fea-
tures a steady stream of distractions, includ-
ing but not limited to: phone calls, emails, en-
ticing offers of every kind. Get at least three
quantifiable tasks accomplished by lunch.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your current in-
terests overlap, and your future goals could,
too. Keep talking. While it’s still too early to
make or receive a solid offer, it’s fun to let the
possibilities dance between you for a while.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Any learning
process that’s worthwhile will have its frustra-
tions to overcome. If it were easy, everyone
would be doing it. And remember, people pay
a hefty price for the things that not everyone
can do.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). This principle
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
will apply: People in love prefer hanging out
to going out. They want the one-on-one time
and enjoy the concentrated personal atten-
tion that goes hand-in-hand with a less-stim-
ulating environment.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s
a reason someone annoys you so easi-
ly, and it has to do with history; unresolved
past wrongs; and protection against future
wrongs. Avoid, prepare, defend ... or irritation
could turn into something much worse.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you’re
more interested in the possibilities than the
reality, that says something about the reality.
Get up. Get out — and go! A change of ven-
ue will be a far faster solution than trying to fix
what’s wrong with where you are.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When the
way you want to be shown respect differs from
how a partner wants to show you respect, the
remedy is in clear, kind and concise commu-
nication. There’s no need for drama or even
emotion. Just state your preferences.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s
peace on the relationship front. A trouble-
some friendship irons out. Couples strike
mutually satisfying compromises. Neighbors
let old differences go.
FRIDAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 13). The next
three months will feature the kind of fun
spontaneity to spark up new relationships,
pop you out of a rut and keep the money
train on an exciting track. Late August brings
an important deal. September brings the
chance for a new position. If popular vote is
the way, you’ll certainly win. Your elders will
teach you in November. Sagittarius and Aries
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 39, 2,
27 and 11.