Nov 21, 2014 3 min read

Q. My sister, “Ellen,” bought my mother a car when Mom moved in with her. Ellen promised it would belong to Mom when she paid her back.

Mom has made payments for three years. But she and Ellen had a fight, and not only did my sister kick Mom out of the house, but she has taken the car. Both of their names are on the title, but there is only a verbal agreement about the rest.

Does my mother have any recourse, or should she just cut her losses and move on? – Disgusted with My Sister in Texas

A. If Mom’s name is on the title, and there is a record of payments (perhaps in your mother’s checkbook), she is already a part-owner of the car. But in order to resolve this legally, your mother would have to sue Ellen, creating a permanent rift. Sometimes these arguments get out of hand, but later, when cooler heads prevail, things can be worked out. It’s possible the damage will be repaired and the payments reinstated.

We agree that taking the car is reprehensible behavior after three years of collecting the money, but the recourse is taking Ellen to court, and most parents aren’t willing to take that step. Still, we urge you not to get in the middle, because you are too angry to be helpful. The two of them could benefit from having someone impartial mediate their differences.

Dear Annie: I read the letter from “Unforgiven,” who unintentionally omitted her brother’s stepson from the family death notice when her mother died. I work for a newspaper. While I don’t know what the policy is for this family’s hometown, this occasionally happens in my area, and much of the time there are hurt feelings.

The remedy is simple. Rerun the obituary with the correct information. It would be a small price for family peace. – Keeping the Peace

Dear Annie: I have a comment about “Reaping What I Sowed,” who contacted his family and a business colleague pretending to be very sick and asking for money.

He got what he deserved. It’s very possible that several of these people knew he hadn’t really been sick. He duped them. This is NOT the way to treat people. He’s a con artist yelling foul. I hope he enjoys the company of his estate. Sounds like that’s about all he has left. – G.

Dear G.: You weren’t the only reader who agreed with the signature, that he reaped what he sowed. Read on:

From Germantown, Tenn.: I wouldn’t have suggested that he speak to these people again. They have shown, quite sadly, what they think of him. Better to give his money to his favorite charities. They will truly be grateful.

Texas: Never did you address that his whole situation was based on a web of lies. He fabricated a whole illness and financial situation to test them. He deliberately misled them. He should tell them the truth. He played a big game and got burned.

Email questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254