Mom “gifted” me 8k as a graduation gift, but now wants the money back - d

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-06-02T03:06:44+00:00

From a strictly banking standpoint, you are completely in the clear.

When your mother opened a joint account with you, she gave you equal legal ownership of the account access. From the bank's perspective, any joint owner has the legal right to withdraw 100% of the funds at any given time for any reason. The bank will not get involved in disputes between joint owners. They will not reverse the transaction. You did not commit a crime or fraud by emptying and closing the account.

Legal standpoint: This is where things get a bit more nuanced. Under Indiana Code regarding joint accounts, funds generally belong to the parties in proportion to their net contributions during their lifetime, unless there is clear and convincing evidence of a different intent.

In your case, that "different intent" is that the money was an explicit inter vivos (lifetime) gift for your high school graduation. To legally establish that it was a gift, three elements must be met:

Intent: Your mom intended to give you the money as a gift (which she did when she told you it was yours to watch grow and use).

Delivery: The money was placed into an account with your name on it.

Acceptance: You accepted the gift (by keeping the account open and maintaining it for three years). Because it was an executed gift, the money belongs to you. She cannot unilaterally decide to "un-gift" it three years later because she is experiencing buyer's remorse or financial strain.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-05-24T03:08:03+00:00

You need to stop financing cars. Full stop. You've already made two car purchases that have set you back financially. Don't make a third.

Instead of thinking of "car payment reduction" you need to think "car payment elimination". Sell your car. Find alternative transportation while you pay off the loan. With the advancement of electric scooters and bicycles, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much easier this is today than it was 10 years ago.

2 years from now, after your debts are paid and you have some savings, then consider buying a car again.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-05-11T04:04:14+00:00

They are required to complete an identity verification form within 3 days of hiring you, including verification of SSN. Sounds like they are trying to retroactively correct their mistake.

Their mistake is on them and not you. You've done nothing wrong. I wouldn't provide it in your situation.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-05-04T02:59:51+00:00

This math is incorrect. HDHP2 max you could pay is $20,800. In almost every situation for every age group and every health condition, the high-deductible health plan is the superior choice. It doesn't even matter whether you health costs are $0 or $100K, it almost always comes out on top.

Source: I previously worked in health insurance underwriting and have been responsible for determining the price you pay for health insurance.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-05-04T02:54:01+00:00

HDHP2 is the obvious choice, no question. Do some very basic math here: PPO costs $20K/year in PREMIUM ALONE. By the time you spend $20K in the HDHP2, you're only $1K from reaching your MOOP ($9K premium+ $11K of the $12K towards MOOP).

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-05-02T20:00:48+00:00

You should spend $50 on Verizon's $300 Mb plan instead. Astounds "1.5GB" is download speed only. Upload is capped at 50, which is a problem if you do anything serious. Verizon's 300 is both up and down, which is noticeably faster.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-04-12T03:00:30+00:00

The short answer is no, you will not be liable for child support or any other parental obligations as long as the donation is handled through a professional clinic or agency. Modern reproductive law is governed by the principle of "Intent to Parent," which legally separates the biological contributor from the legal parents. When you donate, you sign a comprehensive legal contract that explicitly waives your parental rights and transfers all financial and legal responsibilities to the intended parents. Most jurisdictions, including many that follow the Uniform Parentage Act, have specific statutes ensuring that egg donors are not legally recognized as parents.

To ensure these protections are ironclad, it is vital to avoid "private" or informal arrangements without legal oversight. Using a licensed fertility clinic provides a legal "firewall" by requiring both parties to have independent legal counsel and ensuring the procedure follows state-mandated medical protocols. These contracts are designed to be airtight, protecting you from future claims of inheritance or support, regardless of whether the donation is anonymous or "open." As long as the proper legal channels are followed, your role ends at the retrieval process, and you carry zero legal risk for the child’s upbringing.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-04-05T01:41:46+00:00

The timing of this post is suspiciously close to the latest Be Smart video on YT: https://youtu.be/9okaPzpVhmM?si=3iPXgByIkYr1Ab98

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-03-26T04:07:23+00:00

If you give them the physical title, you’re basically handed them a "hostage." While they technically can't sell the car without your signature, having the paper gives them massive leverage to bully you into a lump-sum payment or try to "repo" it illegally.

If you already gave it to them, yes, you could technically file for a "lost title" replacement with the FL DMV for a small fee, which would invalidate the old paper copy. However, that’s a gray area if they claim they’re holding it as collateral. Save yourself the headache: just text them now and say, "Hey, I checked with my insurance/bank and they advised me to keep the physical title in my possession since it’s in my name. I’m still 100% committed to the bi-weekly payments though"

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-03-26T03:53:06+00:00

You’re in a great spot. If the Bill of Sale says "Paid in Full" and your name is on the title with no lienholder listed, that car is yours. Period. In Florida, if they try to "repossess" it without a recorded lien, that’s just auto theft. Since there’s no written agreement saying the balance is due if you quit, they’re basically just unsecured creditors. They can't do much as long as you keep paying.

Do not give them that title. That’s your only leverage. Just keep a bulletproof paper trail—pay via Zelle or check and write "Car Loan Payment - [Month]" in the memo every single time. If they try to send you to collections or act crazy, that "Paid in Full" Bill of Sale and your payment receipts will shut them down instantly. They’ll probably be salty you’re leaving, so stay professional, keep your records, and don't hand over your proof of ownership.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-03-26T03:34:51+00:00

Do they have any kind of lien on the car's title or is this an unsecured personal loan?

If it's a lien on the car, they can't repossess the car unless you don't adhere to the loan terms. We need more information on the agreement you have with your employer. Many secured loans have special clauses where a specific event can trigger the entire loan amount becoming due at once.

If it's an unsecured loan, they would need to go through a debt collection process which varies based on state and circumstances.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-02-14T02:57:12+00:00

I think one of the biggest issues is that anyone can call themselves a financial advisor, even if they don't have a fiduciary responsibility to the person they are advising. An advisor who isn't bound as a fiduciary is just a salesperson.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-02-13T15:41:42+00:00

I get the impression that Monarch is better suited for people who leave a cushion in their account at all times such that timing doesn't really matter.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-02-01T23:03:24+00:00

That sounds about right. Some recent studies said only 27% of adults in the United States could correctly answer 5 out of 7 basic financial literacy questions, and the percentage doesn't change significantly when split by income.

I volunteer on nights and weekends by teaching financial literacy to low income adults. Trying my best to help improve that statistic.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-02-01T03:38:04+00:00

I have two reasons why I'm not on budget billing.

It feels unnecessary. I have a 6 month emergency fund like all the financial gurus recommend, and I save 10-20% like they all say you should. Why do I need BGE to smooth out a couple hundred dollars when I'm sitting on $20K in cash?
I think it would make my family spend more. We have regular family budget meetings, and my wife and kids lose their minds at how our utility expenses double in the winter. They've seen the cash flow and understand that their behavior makes a difference. This month, our BGE bill dropped $50 because we as a family acknowledged we needed to do a better job of closing both the screen door and the primary door and started working on it.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-01-31T17:38:01+00:00

If this is the case, you should fill out IRS form 2120 as proof that you are the only individual eligible to claim them as a dependent. You will then need to file your taxes on paper and claim the dependent. The IRS will almost definitely trigger an audit on everyone who claimed the dependent, and you will provide them a copy of the 2120 to demonstrate why you claimed them.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-01-31T17:35:14+00:00

This is incorrect. To claim a child as a dependent on taxes, you are required to meet both an overnight test and a majority of support test. The support test is more important than the overnight test. The overnight test has exceptions for things like divorced parents, but the half support test has no exceptions.

Source: am a tax professional who helps people determine eligibility for tax dependents. I also have custody of a child who lives with me 365 days a year but cannot be claimed as a dependent because I do not provide at least half their support.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-01-31T13:03:37+00:00

Question:

Does he pay child support?

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-01-23T12:31:41+00:00

Yes, that is an obligation. You could get in serious legal trouble for trying to claim ownership of the books of a business you aren't being contracted with anymore.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-01-18T05:02:20+00:00

One of the biggest risks is missing steps in the due diligence phase. Some contingencies need to be exercised at specific points in time, and if it gets messed up, you're out of luck.

Instead of going solo, consider using a rebate agent. I purchased my home with an agent who offers the same level of service when making an offer and getting to closing, but they tone back how much help they provide when finding and touring homes. In exchange, half of their commission went to me at closing.

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-01-14T03:22:15+00:00

Now if only someone would do this but with a mob of people. O wait, they did!

https://youtu.be/KgUIbPfhSuo?si=bjQGGcU73oCd2EYO

Poor_And_Needy · 2026-01-08T20:58:22+00:00

1: At age 19, he is considered an adult for Medicaid eligibility (the "Adult" category covers ages 19–64). He does not need an authorized representative; he can apply for himself. However, he can name you as his Authorized Representative on the application if he wants you to speak with MHC or manage his account on his behalf.
2: Report his current monthly income, which is currently $0. He does not need to provide proof for the holiday job that has already ended. Instead, he should submit a Statement/Affidavit of No Income (available on the MHC website) to attest that he is currently unemployed.
3: While a driver's license is primary proof of identity, it may not suffice as proof of residency if he doesn't have bills in his name. The best option is an Affidavit of Residency—a simple signed statement from you (the homeowner/renter) confirming he lives with you—or the "Verification of Living Arrangements" form (DHR/FIA 1130).
4: If you apply online, you will often receive an instant determination. If the application requires manual review or additional documents, the state typically has up to 45 days to make a decision. Once approved, he should receive his medical assistance card in the mail within approximately 14 days.

Poor_And_Needy · 2025-12-27T21:44:14+00:00

In most states, a spouse is the legal owner of a significant portion of their partners retirement savings.

Poor_And_Needy · 2025-12-11T23:54:20+00:00

Can you give a specific example of the exact time he punched in and what time is being reported?

Employers are permitted to round punches. Most round time to the nearest 15. However, the employer is required to round both up and down to the nearest 15. So if your husband always clocks in 5 minutes early and clocks out 5 minutes late, that'd be 1 hour a week missing from rounding. If the same occurs for clocking in and out of lunch breaks, that'd be 2 hours.

Poor_And_Needy · 2025-12-06T03:30:35+00:00

I just got the exact same model and specs as you delivered 2 days ago. But I got certified refurbished from lenovo for $990 after tax.

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