Woman feels steamrollered

Dear Abby: My in-laws live in an apartment above our garage. It wasn’t my idea. It was a compromise with my husband.

They now want to move Grandma into a trailer in our back yard! I am totally against it and have voiced my opinion loudly.

My husband is stressed out and isn’t capable of saying no to his parents. I have a feeling they are going to move forward with this plan regardless of my objections. I feel completely disrespected in my own home. Any advice? — Disrespected In Ohio Dear Disrespected: You have a right to be respected in your home. If you don’t want it turned into a “family compound,” that’s your prerogative.

Put your foot down and tell your husband that his parents living there was all the compromise you are willing to make. If he can’t summon the strength to tell his parents “No!” then you will have to do it for him. If that doesn’t put a stop to it, ask a respected friend or religious adviser to mediate.

Dear Abby: I am a gay man. My friend “Brian” and I have known each other for 10 years. We dated for a while but realized we are better off as friends. We have lived together for the past several years and are now considering getting married because my job has better benefits. My question is, is a marriage of convenience legal? — Going To The Chapel? Dear Going: Marriages of convenience have been happening since the institution of marriage was invented. That said, however, this is a question you should address to a lawyer to make sure that if you decide to marry Brian, you’ll be going to the chapel instead of going to the hoosegow for insurance fraud.

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.