[rogloman]

3 months ago my niece, her boyfriend (and their new baby,)asked if they could stay with my husband, son and I until they found jobs in our town. They moved here from another part of the state.
They don't lift a finger to help around the house, when my husband & I arrive home from work we are greeted with "what's for dinner?" they receive welfare benefits which they use to purchase pop and candy. They borrow our clothes without asking, steal money and cigarettes when we are out of the house. We've been buying all the baby needs, plus groceris, our utility bills are though the roof! My blood pressure is up, I can't take it anymore... what can I do?

[Jake2008]

I wouldn't be surprised if their welfare benefits include an allowance for housing, and they are not paying some amount of money for it, to you and your husband.

Unless they are in some way handicapped or disabled and unable to work, three months is long enough for them to find their own accomodaitons, and it is also long enough for at least one of them to subsidize their welfare with a job, even minimum wage. There is also help through social service agencies for all kinds of subsidies, including education, job searches, training etc.

With their obvious lack of motivation, it is time to decide what you want them to do. If you want them to remain in your home, they should be expected to do their share of cleaning, dishes, cooking, etc. If you want them to move on (which is what I would do), I would give them 30 days to find other accommodation. Supporting house guests with a baby in tow, would test the patience of a saint. That they also steal from you surely tells you they are better off elsewhere.

If they are old enough to produce a baby, and get on welfare, they are old enough to provide for themselves.

I would encourage you in the meanwhile, to lock up any valuables, and make sure you don't leave cash laying around. I'm sure they didn't think they'd last this long, so telling them its time for them to go won't come as a surprise.

[talaniman]

Give them a 30 day notice, and then call the cops. Document the notice, by having a copy for yourself.