In his last email, our former certified financial planner insisted that we would have lost more money investing in index funds than we lost with him.Opening balance, $36,400Closing balance, $32,000Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, Admiral shares: trading on January 5, 2018 at $68.36/share, trading on February 15. 2019 at $69.49 share, expense ratio 0.04%.

At first, I considered private messaging Mark Ferguson, who seems knowledgable about the area and whose blog I admire but I decided to start a discussion instead - just in case there're others in the same boat looking for similar information. 

Kristin, your diligence is admirable. 

Not a fun topic to think about, but if you want to keep the property and they want to sell, it's best to know now, before you go into a partnership with them.If you go this alone, be prepared to pay 100% of everything - that way any money your mother gives you is extra, not something you're counting on to pay the bills.It is admirable that you want to help your mother, but make sure you can afford to do so without jeopardizing your own finances.

Christian,I admire your desire and commitment to do better.

I admire the folks who can do the battles daily, but think I am able to help society more overall in my current role providing housing for a few people long term (not just delaying the inevitable) and also educating others...

I admire and share your enthusiasm!  

The fact that all of these providers gave such freely of their time and advice without once directly soliciting the original poster is both admirable and very typical of how they contribute on all similar threads.

I admire and have lots of respect for anyone who is in business for themselves, it's not easy to keep your head above the financial waters, while paying taxes, taking care of production and baby sitting employees.As business people this is why we need real estate to shelter our business income and to have a cash flow back-up for the times when cash flow is low in our businesses.Good luck.....Charles

If your husband won't leave his kids(admirable), is driving 1hr leaving them?