Pay Dirt is Slate’s money advice column. Have a question? Send it to Kristin and Ilyce here . (It’s anonymous!)

Dear Pay Dirt,

My parents are downsizing. They are retired with enough savings to live well, but not enough to afford the new place. I can help—and I want to—but I want to make sure we avoid any pitfalls.

I work full time and make a good living, and I am already saving enough for retirement. I have a mortgage for my own home, but I can afford to help them by chipping in with the down payment and on the mortgage payments. They will probably contribute about 60 percent ,and I will contribute 40 percent.

What’s the best way to approach this: Do all our names go on the deed or only theirs? Should we co-sign a loan or should they get the loan, and I just help them pay

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