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Late on rent, low on forgiveness

By Robert Griswold, Thursday, March 1, 2007.

Question: Our lease agreement states that rent is due on the "last day of the month." Unfortunately, my husband does not get paid until the first of the month, at which time we do pay our rent immediately on the 1st. The landlord is claiming that he "must" have it on the last day due to a mortgage due on the 1st, which if not paid exactly on the 1st, charges him a $56 late fee, a sum he is asking us to pay. Our lease details nothing about late fees or grace periods on our rent.  more...

86-year-old not sold on living trust

By Robert Bruss, Thursday, March 1, 2007.

DEAR BOB: During the December holidays, my adult son and daughter, along with their spouses and my three grandchildren, visited me at my home for several days. My daughter, a big-time New York City lawyer, suggested I "consider" putting the title to my house and two investment properties into a living trust to avoid probate when I pass on. I am 86, in relatively good health, but death might not be too far away. When I explained I might want to sell or refinance my house, or perhaps get a reverse mortgage, she really didn't have any good reason why I should consider a living trust.  more...