Sammy Tran articles

My wife wants to prop up her brother’s failing office supply business using our retirement savings. Now what?

Your wife wants to help her brother’s floundering business, and she sees dipping into your retirement fund as a way to do that. It's critical that you both review what’s really at stake here.
November 27, 2025 Sammy Tran

My realtor told me to lower my asking price “to attract buyers,” but the same day he brought in a lowball offer from his own client. Is that legal?

If your realtor pressures you to lower your asking price on your home only to turn around with a lowball offer from one of his own clients, you need to quickly get up to speed on your options.
November 24, 2025 Sammy Tran

My parents took out a reverse mortgage to buy an RV and “see America,” but now they’re stranded in Arizona with no gas money. What can I do?

Your parents’ dream of touring America in retirement has turned into an expensive lesson in the risks of reverse mortgages.
November 13, 2025 Sammy Tran

I helped my friend apply for Social Security disability. Yesterday she told me she never reported her income as a freelancer. Am I complicit in fraud?

When you helped your friend apply for Social Security, you didn't realize she didn't report her income as a freelancer. Here’s how to protect yourself against accusations of fraud.
November 7, 2025 Sammy Tran

My husband hid over $100K in gambling debts while I thought he had the money invested. At 55, our retirement is off-track. What happens next?

It can be devastating to discover hidden debt if you're in your 50s, but there are steps you can take to protect your future and your retirement.
October 29, 2025 Sammy Tran

I negotiated a “hardship pause” with the collection agency when I lost my job, but they added late fees and interest. Now what?

You negotiated a hardship pause to give you breathing space after losing your job. But now you find new late fees and interest charges on the paused account. We look at the legality of this and what you can do.
October 22, 2025 Sammy Tran

My parents are in their 70s without wills, but when I suggest that they make one, they accuse me of trying to take advantage of them. Now what?

If your parents are still without a will in their 70s, it’s important to recognize that fear and loss of control often fuel their resistance to making one.
October 20, 2025 Sammy Tran

As Dad’s executor, I let my brother have his inheritance before probate. He wired it all to a woman he met online and the estate owes taxes. Now what?

If you are the executor and distributed funds to heirs before the estate cleared probate, you may be facing serious consequences. We look at ways to recover the situation.
October 10, 2025 Sammy Tran

My ex is trying to access the money in my retirement account because I forgot to remove him as beneficiary after our divorce. Can he do that?

Your divorce is finalized, but now your ex is trying to claim the funds on your retirement account. If you never had your ex removed as beneficiary, you'll have to act quickly. We look at the steps you'll need to take.
October 2, 2025 Sammy Tran