DEAR BRUCE: My 80-year-old mother has $10,000 in credit card debt. She has virtually no assets and lives with my sister. They are jointly buying a house together. Collectors are calling and making threats of tying up their house. Her credit is already hurt, but, at 80, she can't get any credit extended. What can these creditors do to her? -- E.N., Philadelphia, Pa. DEAR E.N.: You claim that she has no assets, but then you say she is buying a home with your sister. That is an asset. While they cannot force a sale, they can move for a judgment against your mother's interest in that property, which can't be sold down the road without the obligation being paid. You failed to indicate why your sister is buying a house with your 80-year-old mother. It may be too late now to remove her name from the deed, but you certainly should be advised to consult an attorney on that matter.

DEAR BRUCE: I plan on purchasing a home for $114,000 in Alabama. My lender requires a lender title insurance policy. Do I need to purchase an owner's title policy? Everyone tells me that I don't need one because if the title is clear for the lender then it should be clear for the owner. -- Reader in Alabama DEAR READER.: Why do you suppose the lender requires the title insurance? Because they know problems sometimes arise. It will cost you relatively little to extend the title insurance, and it will be with you as long as you own the home. I would never, ever consider purchasing a piece of property that I didn't have a title policy on. I hope you will consider doing the same.

DEAR BRUCE: My daughter is a stay-at-home mother with one child. Her husband earns about $700 a week. She recently received $10,000 from a negligent driver award that she put into a CD that earns a pittance. Is this the best place for it? -- C.B., via e-mail

DEAR C.B.: If your daughter is going to invest in CDs, then she is only going to receive a pittance in return for her investment. If she is to receive a better return she will have to take a degree of risk. Whether this is in a mutual fund that is somewhat conservative or one that is aggressive is a question that you guys will have to answer. CDs are the least-desirable way to go unless you are absolutely certain that you are not willing to take any risk whatsoever.