Been there done this with all of the kids at one time or another. I think that if they are coming to you with a request for financial help, you deserve to know the details and what you are getting yourself into.

Friend of mine helped her daughter to buy a house, money was supposed to be returned when the house was sold. Daughter got married, husband's an AH beat the daughter threw her out of the house with the kids, and refuses to sell the house to repay the money.

So my friend is having to sell her house (which her daughter and grandkids are also living in), and they lost most of their savings in the financial crisis (damn good excuse for financial institutions that was). They are retired so they have no wage coming in...most definitely ask for details and don't think too much with your heart...

Cheers,

Rhia