My Husband Died. I Never Expected My Stepkids to Treat Me This Way in the Aftermath.

Pay Dirt is Slate’s money advice column. The plan was for us to rejigger my husband’s will so I could live in our home until my passing but he got sick and passed away unexpectedly last year and I am still living in the house he left his children.. His kids have done very well financially and don’t need this inheritance but are ready to sell it out from under me. I don’t want to lose my relationship with them because they are my only link to their dad and I do love them, but I’m gutted that they won’t give me another few years to get myself in a better financial situation, especially since they readily admit they don’t need the money right now and know my kids aren’t in a position to support me. I understand part of the cash used to buy the home came from their mom but I can’t afford the rent the house could bring in, which they proposed as a “compromise.” —Sad Stepmama Dear Sad Stepmama, First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. Dear Pay Dirt, I’m a new resident of New York City who’s considering asking her roommate to redistribute rent, but I’m scared it’s too late.