[DanielDudley]

12 K will turn out to be the tip of the iceberg. Credit card debt and interest payments are what keep crushing debt at a constant level. My guess is that you sister doesn't even have her basic accounting in place to be able to look at her monthly expenses or bottom line her current state of debt. Throwing money at her problem without proper accounting will be like pissing at a forest fire, and yes, it will be like giving a bottle of booze to an alcoholic. It will postpone the agony, but reinforce the disease.

The solution to this problem starts with solid and honest accounting of expenses and debt, and the creation of a monthly budget and spending plan. Not one penny should be forked over in any case, but surely not until this is done.

The only way your father should pass over money would be if he takes over the books, and has sole charge over where it gets spent. If there is embezzlement, it is probably happening by both parties who have access to the accounts. Otherwise the responsible party would simply stop access to the accounts and regain control.