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As I've said before, I'm not leagally obligated to give her any money at all, none. If you are infering that she's nothing more that a tax write off to me, I could put much more money in my pocket in the long run by cutting her off completely. You sound like a liberal in that any reference to making sure your own finances are secure is seen as greed.

Oh, don't get so wound around the axle. Look, you're in a tough bind, but part of it is your own making, that's all I'm trying to say. I'm all for every tax write-off and wise management of money, and don't fault you a bit for that. I do find it somewhat amusing, however, that you rightly divine your daughter's motivations, yet fail to see your own in the same context. You posit that you should do something, but money matters make you reconsider ...even though you know it would be best for her "reality check." She, too, should do something, but as long as you're enabling her behavior, why should she see you as anything other than a monetary opportunity? You've taught her more than you know.

Cut her off. Her entire future outlook on life may depend on your doing the right thing, the hard thing, whether you can claim her as a dependent or not. She clearly demonstrates that she has no desire to depend on you for anything other than money. This day had to come, it just came sooner than you expected. So, grant her the deepest wish of her heart: to be unaccountable to you. Will it cost you? Yeah. Is it fair? Hell no. But why let her own you and your peace of mind?