I can see the advantages of completing your own legal work (familiarity with your business, more attention/time/care, and saving money) but also the disadvantages (spending too much of your time completing legal work, too close/emotionally connected to the business, and not being an expert with residential leases).  

April's data is a sign of weakening demand.

"How do you cope emotionally with nasty tenants?"

One more tip – people remember stories that trigger their emotions.

I'd simply present the facts plainly without emotion to the owner and ask politely to be reimbursed.

Sometimes you can tell because of rust staining and buildup on the outside of such affected pipes,   but even without that they can be weakened considerably from their original state.On the drain side galvanized branch drains  (1.25 through 2" galvanized pipes)  can also rust out or clog up as the rust on the inside is very rough and catches hair, grease,  and other debris and will eventually need aggressive rootering,   which if the pipes have rusted enough may open up holes in them.I should note CAST IRON (hub and bell) old sewer pipe,  at least the 3" and 4" stuff seems to have a bit longer lifespan than galvanized steel;  it still rusts but doesn't crumble and flake and encourage blockages like steel does,   so an old house with a cast 4" sewer stack you may be fine for many decades more if you just replace all the branch lines going into it but leave the main stack.   

I could continue earning in perpetuity and giving to charity, but charities tend to weaken and I don't want my money going to something that isn't what it originally was.

(There is a $7K balance on a property worth prob $150K)So the lady who has had the property is a bit 'emotional.'

@Tony Kim I think you`re just looking at the allocation of money strictly from a Return on  "investement" (being a poor investment), where as the point of a Life Insurance/Living Benifits policy. what your Paying for is in case the individual becomes incapacitated/ has an Illness or Dies, there is a large sum of money that the family receives (and would not otherwise have) to help pay for expenses associated with the unfortunate event, and being able to carry on with life with less of a financial burden compounded with the emotional burden . being able to have retirement money liquid is icing on the cake. 

A divorce after years of marriage with kids, is an expensive and emotional experience.