(MONEY Magazine) – REAL ESTATE Q. My husband and I are both married for the second time. I own our house, while my husband co-owns a house with his ex-wife that he moved out of in 1983. She is selling the house, and my husband, who is under age 55, will receive about $100,000 in capital gains this year. Is there any way to avoid taxes on this? Hannah Cohen Monsey, N.Y.

A. No way that we could find -- a fact that should raise a red flag for many couples who are separating or divorcing. The law says you can postpone paying capital-gains tax on profit from the sale of your principal residence only if you plow the dough into a new home within two years. But since your husband moved out, the former dwelling is no longer his primary home. Moreover, he doesn't qualify for the one-time $125,000 exclusion given to those 55 and over, so he must pay capital-gains tax on the profit. In general, couples who are breaking up and must divide jointly held property need to plan for tax consequences beforehand (assuming the relationship is amicable enough to do this) to avoid leaving one partner holding the bag. For help, consult an accountant or a tax attorney, or read Internal Revenue Service Publication 523, Tax Information on Selling Your Home, available free by calling 800-424-3676.

DENTAL INSURANCE Q. I am self-employed and have a comprehensive medical policy. Is there any company specializing in dental coverage Karen Bluitt Litchfield, N.H.

A. Not a national carrier. Most insurance companies have stopped individual dental coverage because too many people sign up just to get major work done and then drop out. But we found one combined medical/dental plan available in every state except Minnesota, Nevada, New York and Wisconsin to anyone who is a member of a chamber of commerce. In your area, that's the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce (annual membership: $195). The policy, United Chambers Insured Plans (800-626-6525 in New Hampshire, 800-323-3529 elsewhere), costs a family like yours about $235 a month. It covers 80% of medical costs after a $100 deductible and 80% of routine dental exams and fillings after a $50 deductible, with 50% reimbursement for major work like crowns and bridges and a maximum dental reimbursement of $500 a year.

COLLECTIBLES Q. Years ago, I bought my son the first U.S. Beatles album, Introducing the Beatles. It's still in top condition. How much is it worth, and where can I find a buyer? Mary Humbles Desert Hot Springs, Calif.

A. Your album could fetch as much as $500, depending upon its condition and edition. Vee Jay Records, an American company, released 10 variations of that record between 1963 and 1964 to capitalize on the Fab Four. That top price would go to the first stereo recording, recognizable because Vee Jay's name appears in an oval on the record label and because it includes the songs Love Me Do and P.S. I Love You. A monaural version would be worth up to $100. After a copyright dispute with Capitol Records, Vee Jay replaced those two songs with Please Please Me and Ask Me Why, a stereo copy of which would be worth $200 (mono: $125). Beware of fakes, however. Introducing the Beatles (not to be confused with Capitol's Meet the Beatles) was one of the most counterfeited of all the group's albums. To locate a dealer to verify authenticity, or to find a buyer, get a free copy of -- or place an ad in -- the record collector's magazine Goldmine (700 E. State St., Iola, Wis. 54990; 715-445-2214; 15 cents a word with a 30-word minimum).

PENSIONS Q. At age 54, I was recently let go by my employer, and I need to tap some of the $460,000 that has accrued in my company's profit-sharing trust plan. Is there a way to avoid the 10% tax penalty for withdrawals before age 59 1/2? Lewis Johnstone Brighton, Mich.

A. Yes. You can duck the penalty if you make annual withdrawals of an amount based on your life expectancy. You'll have to pay income tax on the money and you can't change the annual amount for five years or until you turn 59 1/2, whichever comes later. But after that, you can take as little or as much as you wish until you reach 70 1/2 and become subject to minimum withdrawal rules. The one catch is that many company plans, yours among them, do not provide for such withdrawals. So to use this scheme, you'll have to roll your assets into an individual retirement plan first.

INVESTING Q. I've been told that there are now money-market funds that invest in foreign short-term assets. Where can I find one? Jim Duprey Edina, Minn.

A. The Global Cash Portfolio (1.25% load; 0.6% 12b-1 charge) invests in foreign CDs, commercial paper and the like, choosing and switching from 15 different currencies, and holding at least three of them at any given time. Although the yield is often low -- around 6.8% now compared with 8.9% for U.S. money-market funds -- the total return can rise or fall, depending on the dollar. During 1988, for example, when the dollar was strong, Global Cash returned only 2.5%. But since its inception in 1986, it has earned 30.6% overall. You can buy it through your broker or from International Cash , Portfolios (minimum investment $2,500; 251 S. Lake Ave., Suite 600, Pasadena, Calif. 91101; 800-354-4111).

HOSPITAL BILLING Q. In 1985, I was hospitalized and later required several outpatient treatments. But the hospital didn't bill me until March 1988 and now my insurance company won't pay because the bill is so late. What can I do? Joseph Orlando Levittown, N.Y.

A. We handled this problem for you, but you could have solved it yourself by following the same steps. First, we called the hospital to find out why the bill was so late. (It turns out the hospital sent the tab to the wrong insurer for almost a year and then delayed mailing it to you once the claim was rejected.) Armed with this information, we called your insurance company, and it will reconsider reimbursement. The key point is that the reason for the tardiness was beyond your control: if you had been sitting around ignoring a bill for three years, the insurance company could rightly have refused payment.