Dear Bruce: We are contemplating building a fence between our neighbor's house and our own. The problem is, his survey shows the line to be one place and ours another, with about a four-foot difference. Before we install an expensive fence, we would like to know which line is correct. How do we tell? -- T.C., Vernon, Utah

Dear T.C.: It seems to me the logical answer would be to hire another surveyor to shoot that one line. If his survey agrees with one or the other, the likelihood is that's the spot.

If, however, he comes up with a third line, then you are going to have to come up with a very careful survey by yet a fourth person for the entire property and perhaps your neighbors as well. Neither of you will be able to sell your home if the appropriate lot line is not resolved.

Dear Bruce: My sister's husband is terminally ill, and he has credit card debt in the amount of $28,000. He says that, since the cards are in his name only, my sister would not have to pay them. Is this true? -- G.R. in Florida

Dear G.R.: I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but first of all, when this gentleman passes away, his estate is obliged to meet all of his bills and the $28,000 in credit card debt comes under that category. In the event there is no estate, the creditors will look to the wife for recovery because the debts were incurred during the marriage.

Dear Bruce: I have a friend who is living with her boyfriend.

She has another house whose value is between $60,000 and $75,000. It is an older home she had rented to her son, who is now moving out. She is coming up on the five-year time that she can take all of the money and keep it, claiming this as her primary residence. She's trying to decide whether she should keep it or sell it. -- Reader in Michigan

Dear Reader: In my judgment, this is a perfect example of a home that should be sold. If the lady in question owned the house for some time and had a significant gain, this would become taxable should she not take advantage of the two-year/five-year residency law.

Dear Bruce: I am interested in telecommuting, and I've heard of a company offering a software program to do e-billing for doctors at home. Is this a scam? I know that doctors are swamped in billing paperwork, so it sounds like it could be viable. -- L.C., Exton, Pa.

Dear L.C.: I would be reluctant to characterize what you have described as a scam. But I do believe the people who are promoting it are overly optimistic about the amounts of money that can be earned and the viability of the idea altogether.

Send your questions to: Smart Money, P.O. Box 2095, Elfers, FL 34680. E-mail to: bruce@brucewilliams.com.