Father’s new marriage may be fraudulent

DEAR ABBY: My elderly father remarried after my mother died two years ago. He married an acquaintance who is 30 years younger. He told this woman beforehand there was a large widow’s pension he wanted to give to her. She claimed to be in an “unhappy” marriage and got a divorce.

Well, she decided to continue to live with her ex after her marriage to Dad. Despite agreeing to these terms, Dad is angry that she still won’t have sex with him. Also, his new wife still introduces her ex as her “husband.”

Now we learn, despite assurances prior to the marriage that she would never exercise her rights as a spouse to any other funds or property, she’s asking my dad for a monthly allowance.

Do you think we are right to call my father’s marriage fraudulent, and would we be considered accomplices by not reporting it? — Stepdaughter in Revolt

DEAR STEPDAUGHTER: You are correct that the “marriage” was fraudulent. Your father’s lawyer should be consulted immediately to discuss an annulment. Because your father’s judgment is so poor, go with him to ensure no details are left out. I think your father may need a conservator.

DEAR ABBY: I’m in seventh grade. Until recently, I was my usual happy, bubbly self. I always made friends easily.

As the months have passed, it seems like everything annoys me. I can’t explain why, but I have stopped talking to all of my friends for long periods of time. All these terrible emotions build up. Now everything that has built up inside me comes out at the worst times. I cry a lot, and I feel no one understands why.

This may seem like a normal middle-school breakdown, but it’s not. People see me crying and think, “Why is she crying? What is wrong?” but the thing is I don’t know what’s wrong with me. At odd moments when I’m alone with my thoughts, these feelings come back, stronger and stronger each time. Why am I like this? — Almost-teen in Turmoil

DEAR ALMOST-TEEN: That’s a very good question, and one you should ask your parents, because they know you better than I do. The lows you are experiencing may result from the fact that you are maturing and the hormones in your body are changing. However, because you are concerned enough to write to me, you may need to be examined by a physician.

I’m glad you wrote. It shows you are an intelligent young lady who recognizes she has a problem and wants to deal with it.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. Dearabby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.