Relatives. *sigh*

My sister, who is disabled, and my BIL, who is also disabled, have to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This in spite of my frequent warnings that they need to watch their spending. When she first called about bankruptcy, I told her that I’m not qualified to give her advice. I told her they needed to have a lawyer, and to talk to their case worker to find a lawyer that will help them pro bono or cheaply. So naturally they called a lawyer they saw on TV. :rolleyes:

Look, sis. I love you, but I have my own problems. You told me about some really ill-advised decisions you’d made after the fact, and ignored me when I told you they were poor decisions. When I told you that when you find yourself in a hole the first thing you need to do is stopped digging, you kept digging. You did the right thing getting a lawyer to help you clean up your mess, but you didn’t take advantage of the services that are available to you (after I told you to) to find one that you can afford. Remember the bill consolidation incident where you paid money and didn’t get anything for it? Remember I told you then to never buy anything solicited by phone? Didn’t I mention that daytime TV ads are scams as well? If I didn’t, could you not see the parallel between phone solicitations and TV ones? I can’t do your thinking for you. And I don’t know anyone who should have me thinking for them. That would be unwise.

I hear you, Johnny. I have a relative that has consistently made poor choices, despite being warned by me and others. I don’t know if it’s related to this or not, but they are fairly religious, and it seems as if there’s an attitude that “God will provide for me” operating here. Well, I’ve also heard it said that “God helps those that help themselves”. That part hasn’t sunk in much yet, I think - and probably never will.

I try to point out when things aren’t likely to work out as this person hopes, but I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m going to have to help pick up the pieces when the next collapse or disaster occurs.