Advanced ➔ Results The Moneyist‘He doesn’t seem to care’: My secretive father, 81, added my name to a bank account. What my mom.
‘Neither my mom nor I know anything their finances’Last d: June 27, 2025 at 1:36 p. ETFirst Published: June 23, 2025 at 6:02 a.
ETResizeListen(8 min)“I’m not good with numbers or money, so I’m afraid we’ll get taken advantage of by a lawyer or accountant. ” (Photo subject is a model.
) Photo: Getty Images/iStockphotoDear Quentin, I am a 49-year-old woman with 81-year-old parents. I am an only child.
My dad has always been very secretive with their money, and my mom knows nothing what they have or where they have it. I found a joint account in my and my father’s names. Nobody knew this.
I have told him multiple times how difficult it is going to be for me when he’s not here, since neither my mom nor I knows anything their finances. He doesn’t seem to care.
They’ve always owned their and pay cash for vehicles. He made good money in the military.
When I ask him, he says they don’t have very much, but unless he’s squandered it or given it away, there should be a lot. I’m just getting increasingly worried how it’s going to be when he’s gone.
I’m not good with numbers or money, so I’m afraid we’ll get taken advantage of by a lawyer or accountant, which is the only avenue to go when the time comes.
the Author Quentin FottrellQuentin Fottrell is MarketWatch's Managing Editor-Advice and The Moneyist columnist. You can him on Twitter @quantanamo.
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