Here he is again: the retired New York lawyer Albert Schmidt, a Don Juan with principles. Preserved from loneliness by his love for the young Puerto Rican woman Carrie, Schmidt leads a secluded life with her. For the first time since the death of his wife, Schmidt is happy. Only the future with Carrie worries him, as the beauty rejects all his marriage proposals. Schmidt's fears come true - Carrie falls in love with another man. Worse still: Schmidt's daughter Charlotte demands money. She has left her husband, Schmidt's former protégé Jon Riker. In his confusion, Schmidt finds an unusual ally, a mysterious Egyptian who makes him an enticing offer. Schmidt's probation is a remarkably light story about how difficult it is to overcome the distance from person to person - even.