The first chapter (with Richard Arnott) considers an atomistic developer who decides when and at what density to develop his land, under a property value tax system characterized by three time-invariant tax rates. The second chapter adds to the controversial literature on private annuities. The third chapter examines whether a parent's illness causes adult children to provide their parents with financial assistance. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2004. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics.