A neighborhood in suburban Houston is seen in this file photo. Married couples often assume shared finances mean mutual decisions, but as one reader’s question shows, that’s not always how it plays out.

Q: My sister and her husband live in Texas and have been married for over 50 years. He wants to buy a new, expensive house for himself in California, and he has started selling all of their stocks so that he will have enough cash to make a down payment. My sister is opposed to this idea and wants to save money for herself. How can she stop him? If he gets a loan on the new house, and he can't pay the mortgage, how can my sister protect herself?

A: If your sister's husband finds a home that he can purchase with cash, without having to apply for a loan from a lender, he should be able to complete the purchase without anyone being able to stop him and without the need for your sister's signature.

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