<prompt> Human: Hi guys, the short of it is:My aunt has asked me to take over the mortgage payments now that my uncle passed away and she can no longer work due to chemo treatments. I have been living with them for about a year.Whats the most financially sound way to approach this situation?Back story:I graduated from college about a year ago and got a solid job in consulting. Then I decided to move in with my aunt 55 yo and uncle 58 yo, who live in the same city, in order to aggressively save money for future plans. They had an extra 2 rooms in their house, no kids, and didnt mind me staying for free. And since the home is in the suburbs and 20 miles from work, I gave up privacy and a reasonable commute time to achieve my goal of financial independence as quickly as possible.A month ago, my uncle suddenly passed away. He was the breadwinner AND didnt have life insurance, so he left my aunt pretty exposed after his death. To pile on, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer about 3 months before he died. So she was already working just part time by the time he passed. To give some perspective, he made about 75kyear and she made 12hr at her part time.After he died, my aunts plan was to go full time and find a way to make this work on her income. But she was recently rushed to the emergency room and, long story short, her doctor said she could no longer work due to the stress from chemo.Today, she informed me that she could no longer work, but might still try to find something part time if she could. And she said that she had found a family friend willing to pay for water and electricity. Then she tearily asked me if I could take on the mortgage at 850month. She would take care of food and other intangibles like cleaning, etc.I told her Id look into and see what I could do.---My current thoughtsIm a little well a lot unsure of what to do now. I dont want to leave her high and dry, but thats a lot of responsibility to suddenly take on. Itll probably set back my financial goals more than 5 years since I believe she still owes 60k on the house.Ive talked to my parents and they each have different opinions on how to handle it. My cautious mother is saying that its bad form to pay for something not in my name and sets a terrible precedent. My dad, whos brother it is that passed away, is saying that, since I live there rent free, I should offer a maximum contribution of maybe half of the mortgage, so 425. Neither of my parents can be too financially involved, however, since theyre still raising 3 kids. Im the oldest of 4 siblings and Im only 24.My initial thought was to 1 buy the home from my aunt then 2 take the money from the sale and invest it in a vehicle guaranteeing a small return then 3 she can use that money to help pay a portion of the mortgage as a live-in renter. So that, whenever she passes, the house would be in my name and a future investment that I could either rent out or sell.Theres just one giant problem in all this: Ive never owned a house before. Not to mention, Im still getting my emergency fund together since I finished paying off my student loans and have absolutely no money for a down payment at the moment.SN - If I dont buy the house, Im still not sure Id want to contribute 425 a month to the mortgage, since thats essentially rent, and Id rather spend that money on a place MUCH closer to work. Commute is a 2 hour every day hell.Id appreciate any practical advice on what things I should look out for in this situation. And what my options may be. Thanks!EDIT - After reading through some thoughtful responses, Ive decided Im going to continue living with her for another 6 months while paying the mortgage. Then at the end of the year, Im going to move out and go on my with plans while leaving her another 6 months worth of mortgage money 5100. So that gives us a year to figure what to do with the house, whether were keeping it or not.  <response>: Of course you no longer get free rent from a widow with cancer. You pay her the back rent fair market value rent for the year youve been there and you get the hell out.Dont get tangled up in your aunts finances, and dont buy this house. Its none of your business. She needs a paying tenant, or to sell, and you need to get the hell out. 