DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister lives in an area with not-so-great public schools. I make far more money than she does, so I have always paid for her two kids to attend a private school. However, my business recently took a large hit, and while I do still have the money to send them to the school, I don't feel like it would be financially responsible for me to continue sending them to a fancy, expensive private school. I love my niece and nephew, but they are not my children, and I have to look out for my immediate family. How do I tell my sister that I don't think I can pay her children's tuition anymore, and how do I handle any anger or resentment toward me? -- Cut Off, Miami
DEAR CUT OFF: Obviously, this is a difficult decision to have to make and to have to share with your sister. The timing is tough as well. It is likely that she has already signed a contractual agreement with her children's school for next year. Typically, this occurs in the spring. Because of that, I would recommend you allow the children to attend the school next year. Often, school contracts stipulate that you have to pay the full tuition if you withdraw after a certain date, usually in May, so your sister may be liable for that tuition even if the children do not attend. I suggest that you talk with your sister and explain what has occurred with your business and that you will not be able to continue paying for them to attend private school in the future.
This will give her fair warning either to relocate her children or to apply for financial aid, whereby they can show that you once paid but now it is on her to foot the entire bill. Your niece and nephew may be eligible for a scholarship. Or if she has to move them into public school, she will have time to make that transition less jarring.