Should I Lend $50,000 to My Brother-In-Law?
Is it possible to lend money to family without it affecting the relationship for the worst? Plus, what to do in case of a banking error in your favor.
Helping a relative in this way is compassionate, but it will indeed affect your relationship if the loan sours (and even if it doesn't). There should be a written agreement on repayment, which should start when your brother-in-law has income again. If you fear that he won't manage a lump sum wisely, you could advance him and his wife the money gradually -- perhaps a monthly amount that would cover their home and car payments and some other essentials.
Another approach: Make gifts instead of loans. You and your wife can each give to each of his family members up to $13,000 a year with no tax consequences on either side. Tell him you have no expectation of repayment. You might be surprised that he gives some of the money back to you when he's able, out of pride and gratitude.
May I keep it?
My bank made a $1,000 error in my favor, which I brought to their attention -- twice -- and offered to repay. They said they'd look into it and debit my account, but it's never happened. May I keep the money?
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Yes. You made an honest attempt to correct the error, and the bank dropped the ball. You needn't keep trying. I trust that you have a record of whom you talked to and when, just in case the bank discovers the error and tries to say you did something wrong.
After some time has passed, consider doing something creative with this windfall that isn't really yours, like giving it to a favorite charity -- without taking the tax deduction.
Have a money-and-ethics question you'd like answered in this column? Write to editor in chief Knight Kiplinger at ethics@kiplinger.com.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Knight came to Kiplinger in 1983, after 13 years in daily newspaper journalism, the last six as Washington bureau chief of the Ottaway Newspapers division of Dow Jones. A frequent speaker before business audiences, he has appeared on NPR, CNN, Fox and CNBC, among other networks. Knight contributes to the weekly Kiplinger Letter.
-
Visa Is the Worst Dow Stock Wednesday. Here's Why
Visa stock is down sharply Wednesday after the credit card company came up short of revenue expectations for its fiscal Q3.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Another Analyst Moves to the Sidelines on Tesla Stock After Earnings
Tesla stock is spiraling Wednesday after the EV maker's big earnings miss and Wall Street has been quick to weigh in. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
By Miriam Cross Published
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute Vacation
Travel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
-
How to Figure Out How Much Life Insurance You Need
insurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life insurance needs.
By Kimberly Lankford Last updated
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Amazon Prime Day 2024 runs Tuesday July 16 and Wednesday July 17, marking the 10th Prime Day event.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Steps
insurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
By Kaitlin Pitsker Published
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage Rate
Becoming a Homeowner Rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
By Daniel Bortz Last updated