Drunk drivers’ spouses on hook

Dear Abby: Many wives write you about problems with their husbands who drink too much. If they live in a community property state, there’s something important they need to know. If the husband drives drunk and causes an injury, both the wife and husband may be named as co-defendants – even if the wife wasn’t involved. And if the injured party is successful in the lawsuit, the co-defendants together must pay.

Wives who tolerate their husband’s refusal to stop drinking need to be aware of the economic hammer the law could have hanging over them. I just went through this experience. Had I known the law in our community property state would lump me in, I would have had a powerful reason to divorce my husband years ago after I realized he would never give up drinking. Dear Getting: Thank you for teaching me and my readers something. If someone has a spouse of EITHER sex with an alcohol problem who gets behind the wheel of a car, for their own protection, they should consult their lawyer and their insurance agent about what the ramifications could lead to.

Dear Abby: This has been happening for years, and I would like your advice, please. I like my meat well done. But whenever I order a steak that way, someone at the table invariably has to comment that I am ruining the texture, killing the taste, etc. Red or rare meat disgusts me. If I see blood on my plate, I can eat only the well-done parts around the edges. Is there a nice way of telling other people to mind their own business and let me order my food the way I want it?

Dear Still Moving: Sure there is. All you have to do is smile and say, “That’s my preference. This is the way I like it.” Then chow down and change the subject.