[J.A.K.]

A little background:
Mom
1) Grew up very poor (i.e. made her own clothes for school, got made fun of a lot, never got much at Christmas, birthdays, etc.) In my eyes my grandparents were awesome, unchanging stalwarts-literally like the Joads from Grapes of Wrath-but probably not the ideal parents.
2) Twice divorced. First marriage to my dad was horrible. He was abusive physically and mentally and an all around piece of [censored]. They divorced when I was five. My step dad was a stand up guy who I grew to love far more than my own dad but my mom finally wore him down with her carry-over neurosis and negativism from the first marriage.

Older Sister
1) Going through second divorce. First married a piece of [censored] who left soon after my niece was born. Had it rough as a single mom. My current bro-in-law is solid, had a heart to heart w/ me about the separation and promised the divorce would not be ugly and he would do right by my sister. But still a hard time for her emotionally and financially.
2) Heart of gold, though on her sleeve at times. Never asks for a thing. Also dealing with the leaving home of her first daughter.

Younger (half) Sister
1) Going through her second divorce. Four children. No job. I think her philosophy was that having children would keep the man around. Both husbands were...again pieces of [censored]. Neither would work and support his family...blah, blah you know the story. But it wasn't all them as she is a basket case.
2) Diagnosed as bipolar. Uses it at times as an excuse. Really doesn't care about her children, although lately after kicking douche #2 out she seems to be making a little more effort. Recently had a felony conviction.


Basically, I have backed myself in a corner financially helping my family. I own a small business that affords me a modest income and time for golf and poker. About a year ago life caught up with my mother and she had to sell her house. My suggestion at the time was for her to get an apartment (no upkeep, etc.) and live off the extra until she draws social security. She would have a cushion and the option of working or not. No good, she wanted a house. She has a lot of antiques with tremendous sentimental value and is averse to apartments. After a lot of wrangling and searching she found a country home she liked. She could not get financing due to her credit even though she had 80% of the home's value as a down payment. Long story longer, I get my bank to refinance and extend my business loan, tack on the additional 20k difference for the house and get my mom in there with me paying the mortgage. It was great because it ended up cutting my monthly payments by about 40%. Well I was also paying for my apartment at the time and mom was gone 4 days a week (as a live-in caretaker). Enter bad idea. Hey, why don't I move in the house I am paying the mortgage on that sits empty 4 days a week and save all this rent money. Yep, living with mom.

Anyhoo, over the course of time I move my younger sister 3 times paying deposits on each new place. Bail her out of jail and pay fine. Bail niece out of jail for DUI. Loan money for various necessities etc. etc. etc. So this year when my own unforeseen setbacks happened $2000 transmission, $1400 root canal, $1200 engine and the loss of one of my accounts I am strapped!

How do I distance myself from the [censored] of close family members that I love when no one else can help them in these situations without being an uncaring brother or son?