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When the time comes to pass on their estate, most people would prefer their heirs didn't have to deal with probate court. Here are 6 ways to set up your estate to avoid probate court.
Look at revocable vs. irrevocable trusts to understand the differences and determine which one is a best fit for you.
A charitable trust is a helpful tool to secure your legacy. Find out the types of charitable trusts and whether it is a right fit for you.
Medical bills can be surprising, but there are ways to negotiate charges. Here's what you need to know to negotiate your medical bill.
Both nursing homes and assisted living facilities provide care to people who need help. The difference starts with the level of care.
Keeping legal documents up to date is important at any age, but as you get older having them ready and accessible can help you and your family avoid stress.
Whether it's an emergency or a planned procedure, the prospect of a stay in the hospital is full of unknowns. Here's some advice for navigating your hospital stay that should ease your anxiety.
Non-recourse status is an important benefit of a home equity conversion mortgage. Here's how it works and what it offers consumers.
A living will is a document that helps people specify healthcare decisions they would like to make in the event they cannot speak for themselves.
Foreclosure in a reverse mortgage is rare, but can happen. Here are the steps that lead to foreclosure in a reverse mortgage as mandated by HUD.
A reverse mortgage principal limit is the maximum amount of money that can be borrowed with a reverse mortgage. Here's how the limits are determined.
Overseen by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), HECMs are subject to multiple safeguards and protections.
Because you can use reverse mortgage proceeds any way you like, they can be useful for a variety of retirement planning strategies. Here are 6 smart ways to use your proceeds.
The truth about reverse mortgages is that they offer many borrowers a secure way of staying in their homes as they age and filling gaps in their retirement plan.
Social security is a federal benefits program. Here is everything you need to know about how social security works, who it's for and when to start collecting your benefit.
The idea of building an ADU on your property is gaining in popularity. Using a reverse mortgage to pay for the construction is possible. Here's what you should know.
Reverse mortgages are regulated by several government agencies. Here is an explanation of which agencies are responsible and what they do.
Though not merited, reverse mortgages have had a hard time shaking a poor reputation. Here's how reverse mortgages got a bad rap and why it's not true.
Reverse mortgages have been around for decades and are safer then ever. But though they offer a viable retirement planning tool for many, they haven't caught on in the mainstream. Here are a few possible reasons why.
Though powerful financial tools, reverse mortgages aren't right for everyone or every financial situation. Here are 7 situations in which a reverse mortgage might not be a good fit and ways to make it work.
Often complaints about reverse mortgages come from misunderstandings. Get some context and the facts about reverse mortgages and common complaints about them.
There are several ways to exit or walk away from a reverse mortgage before it comes to term. Contrary to a popular myth, none of them require that you pay a penalty.
Many homeowners understand that they can borrow against the equity in their homes, typically with a home equity line of credit (HELOC), but many don&#
It's difficult to say exactly how long the process to take a reverse mortgage takes, but here is a general timeline to give you an idea of what to expect.
Retirement isn't one size fits all. If you're single, here are some special considerations to make when putting together your retirement plan.
The term of a reverse mortgage is dependent on a number of qualifying conditions. An event that leads to these conditions no longer being met is a maturity event.
Deciding whether to pay off your mortgage when you retire is dependent on your specific financial situation and plan. Here are some questions to help you consider the best course of action.
A reverse mortgage requires that borrowers have substantial equity in their homes. Here are some options if you don't have enough equity to qualify.
If you decide to take out a reverse mortgage, you will experience different aspects of the loan as the process evolves. To help borrowers and potentia
The ways that bankruptcy and reverse mortgage impact each other are complicated. Here's a basic primer on how one affects the other and what it means for reverse mortgage borrowers.
It is not possible to outlive a reverse mortgage, however, you can outlive available proceeds. Careful financial planning can prevent running out of funds unexpectedly.
Both HECMs and proprietary reverse mortgages are reverse mortgages. However, there are some important differences to understand before deciding which is right for you.
A jumbo reverse mortgage is another way of referring to a proprietary reverse mortgage that offers a larger loan limit than a HECM. Here's what makes them different.
When you take a reverse mortgage, the title to your home remains in your name. Here's what a title is and how it works with a reverse mortgage.
Getting a reverse mortgage in California is very similar to other states with a few key differences that give borrowers extra rights.
A reverse mortgage is a possible way of helping a child or grandchild get a secondary education. Here's what you should know before you decide to fund their education with a reverse mortgage.
A reverse mortgage will not affect your social security, but it can have an impact on other government need based programs.
Find an educational trip that suits your interests and lifestyle to a tee with our complete list of educational travel resources for seniors.
The topic of retirement finances brings up endless questions. Here the the 12 questions financial advisors are asked by their clients most often.
Though the names sound the same, Medicare and Medicaid are different government programs that serve largely different groups of people. There are however, some overlaps.
If your mortgage requires you to have mortgage insurance, you'll pay mortgage insurance premiums or MIPS. Here's what you will want to know about how they work.
The world of tech has many solutions for older people. An open mind and a willingess to learn may be all it takes to benefit from the latest technology.
Understanding the risks of taking a reverse mortgage starts with understanding how these financial tools work and the protections they have built in.
A traditional mortgage and a reverse mortgage have some similarities, but function quite differently. Here is an explanation of how each works and what that means for potential borrowers.
Both home equity loans and reverse mortgages allow homeowners to borrow against the equity they've built up in their homes. However, there are some important differences between the two loan types.
A trust is an important part of many people's estate plans. Here are the steps to creating and funding a trust.
A mobile home is a specific type of dwelling that is not eligible for a reverse mortgage. A manufactured home, however, can be eligible. Here's how you can tell the difference.
Digital assets are an important part of your legacy. Learn how you can ensure loved ones have access to them as part of your estate plan.
An appraisal is an important part of taking any home loan, here is what homeowners can expect from the process.
Spouses not eligible for a reverse mortgage can be afforded rights and protections should something happen to the spouse listed as a borrower on the loan.
Understanding potential downsides to a reverse mortgage can help you determine if this financial tool is a good fit for your needs.
A loan servicer is one part of the team that does the behind the scenes work on a loan. Here's what this important role is responsible for.
An easy and important part of estate planning is making it possible for your heirs to access your bank accounts after you've passed. Here's how to do it.
Chances are someone you know plays pickleball. Interested in giving this popular sport a try? Here are some tips to get you started.
Sharing a reverse mortgage with another person can be a good way to ensure all parties have the right to stay in the home should something happen to one of them.
There are fees and costs associated with taking out any mortgage, and reverse mortgages are no exception. Here is a detailed list of the fees you can expect to pay when you take a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).
Learn how to calculate your home equity and how understanding it can help you leverage it to your advantage.
A reverse mortgage line of credit has some unique features that can make it both a useful tool in the present and security for the future.
When inflation is high, a reverse mortgage offers some unique ways of fighting the pinch of rising prices.
In any financial transaction there are tradeoffs. Here's a rundown of what you give up and what you gain when you take a reverse mortgage.
After the last borrower on a reverse mortgage passes away, the loan needs to be settled. Usually, that responsibility falls to the heirs. Here's what they can expect.
Sharing information about what's in your estate plan with your adult children is a simple way to help them navigate your estate when the time comes.
FHA-approved condos are eligible for home equity conversion mortgages. Here's how you can find out if yours is eligible, and what to do if it isn't.
With certain conversations it can be difficult to know where to start. Learn how to initiate essential conversations with your parent, when to talk and when to listen.
When a reverse mortgage borrower passes away, the loan will become due and payable. Here's what heirs and borrowers should know about what happens next.
Learning about the different types of trusts can help inform which makes the most sense for your estate and needs.
Credit ratings and mortgages go hand in hand, but as with most things reverse, when you are taking out a HECM credit works a little differently.
Divorce can impact a reverse mortgage in a variety of ways. This overview offers options for several different situations.
You may have said goodbye to your school days many years ago, but there are compelling reasons to revisit your education in retirement. Here's a few places to start.
Understanding the eligibility requirements of a reverse mortgage can be helpful in deciding if these financial vehicles are right for you.
Estate plans are essential to retirement planning, but that doesn't mean they need to be intimidating or complicated. Here's what they are and how to make one.
If you're struggling to find happiness in retirement, these tips and strategies can help get you on a better track.
Interest rates accrue and get paid differently on a reverse mortgage than on other loans, here's what potential borrowers need to know.
Writing a family history and committing treasured stories to paper makes a meaningful heirloom to pass on to future generations. Here's where to start.
Whether hiking is a new hobby, or a lifelong passion, these six tips will help keep safe and healthy on the trail.
Less common than they once were, pensions are savings vehicles for retirement. Here's who gets one and how they work.
Chances are if there's something in your life you'd like to make easier, there's a device or gadget to help you.
Deciding which type of loan is best suited to your needs can be tricky. Here's a rundown of the differences between a cash-out refinance vs. a reverse mortgage.
Reverse mortgages aren't just for homes you already own. You can use one to purchase a new home as well.
Weighing the benefits of a HECM against the potential downsides can help you assess how well this financial tool will work for your situation.
Reverse mortgages make sense for many people. Whether it's right for you depends on multiple factors.
Wondering how much money can you get from a reverse mortgage? The answer depends on multiple factors including your age, value of the home, and more.
Home equity is a valuable tool that can help you finance your retirement. Learn how you can maximize the benefits of your largest asset.
A home equity conversion mortgage is a reverse mortgage insured by the FHA. Here’s a guide to how they work and who might qualify.
Life Expectancy Set Aside (LESA) funds are proceeds earmarked through the reverse mortgage process to pay property taxes and other expenses.
A reverse mortgage allows a qualified borrower to access their home equity. How does a reverse mortgage work? Here's what you need to know.
Find out if you are eligible for a reverse mortgage, how they work, and how you may be able to access your home equity and stay in your home.
Learn about the myths surrounding reverse mortgages and find out the truth about how these financial vehicles really work.
Discover the reasons why more and more financial advisors are recommending reverse mortgages as financial tools for retirement.
