Reverse Mortgages and Grey Divorce with Laura Phillips

Send us Fan MailKeeping the house after divorce can feel like the last thread of stability, but the numbers do not always cooperate. If you are over 60 and facing a gray divorce, you might be sitting on substantial home equity while struggling to come up with the cash needed for a buyout, repairs, or everyday income. We wanted a real, practical conversation about one of the most misunderstood tools in divorce financial planning: the reverse mortgage.We’re joined by Laura Phillips, a reverse mortgage specialist, to break down what a reverse mortgage actually is, how an FHA HECM works, and why “no monthly mortgage payment required” can be a game changer for retirees who would never qualify for a traditional refinance. We walk through an easy-to-follow example of using a reverse mortgage to pay a spouse and set up a growing line of credit for future needs. We also cover who qualifies, why age affects how much equity you can access, and when a proprietary jumbo reverse mortgage may be worth comparing for higher-value homes.Then we get honest about the concerns. Reverse mortgages can be expensive, and negative amortization is real, but so are the protections: mortgage insurance, non-recourse rules if the market drops, and updated spouse and partner safeguards that prevent the horror stories many families remember. We also spell out the rules that matter most, like paying property taxes, keeping the home as your primary residence, and staying on top of annual occupancy certifications, plus what happens if assisted living becomes part of the plan.If you’re trying to decide whether staying put is realistic, listen, take notes, and share this with someone who’s house rich and cash poor. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what would you need to feel confident using your home equity?To reach out to Laura Phillips, https://calendly.com/laura-559/informational-consultation?month=2026-07Visit us at https://www.roesslerdivorce.com/ to learn more about Jacki's practice and to find valuable resources for your case.Center for Financial PlanningThe Divorce Rich podcast is proudly sponsored by Center for Financial Planning: Striving to Improve Lives through Financial Planning Done Right! https://www.centerfinplan.com/DAWNDivorce Attorneys for Women: Michigan's Original Divorce Attorneys for Michigan