Family Finances Strain After Divorce

Dear Carolyn,

My stepfather and mother are undergoing a divorce in their mid-60s. The separation arose due to financial disagreements regarding retirement, leading to an unhealthy split. While my stepfather plans a quiet retirement on a river close to his family, my mother desires to move to a larger city. She aims to maintain a social life and continue working.

I live away from both of them, but I would like my son to have a relationship with each. My mother is becoming increasingly desperate for me to finance her travel expenses, putting a strain on our family budget. Although I want to support both parents, this financial expectation concerns me.

Managing these relationships and financial burdens is proving stressful. I hope to find a way to balance these familial obligations with our financial realities.