Dear Harry: My brother-in-law has cheated his two sisters in what seems to be legalized theft. When my mother-in-law became unable to walk, he took her into his house rather than allow her to go to a retirement community. At the time, she owned a very valuable house at the shore, a house in Philly, a few stocks, cash in the bank of about $10,000, and she had a pension as well as Social Security from her late husband totalling almost $2,400 a month. Back in 2006, he got all of her assets transferred to his name. He then sold the shore house for $850,000. Now that she has died, her sisters asked for their share of the estate. He insisted that nothing was left after paying for her care, and that, anyway, there was no will. Now, this guy is very religious, and he gives everyone the impression that he's very charitable, and just, and kind. As a result, my wife does not want me to try to do anything . . . even write him a letter demanding an accounting. Is there something I can do without my wife knowing about it?

What Harry says: I am not one who favors keeping things from one's spouse. In addition, it was her mother and brother who were involved. However, if you can, try again to get her to let you request, rather than demand, an accounting. If he refuses to do so, your wife may cooperate in getting your local district attorney to look into the case. It seems unlikely to me that all the money was used for her care in just a few years. There is also the possibility that your brother-in-law used undue influence on her to get those assets transferred to his name. It was much easier to get her power of attorney to use her assets. *

Write Harry Gross c/o the Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. Harry urges all his readers to give blood - contact the American Red Cross at 800-GIVE LIFE.