Divorced… But Still on the Mortgage? The Hidden Risk No One Talks About
I understand the hesitation. You’re going through a divorce, and you’re looking at a 2.75% interest rate thinking: “Why would we ever give this up?” And in an amicable situation, it can feel like the easiest solution is: One person stays in the home Both names stay on...
Cash-Out vs. Buyout Refinance After Divorce: What You Need to Know
Are you planning to refinance after your divorce… but haven’t planned for it yet? Because this is where I see people lose money. And not a small amount. I’m talking about thousands of dollars over time—all because the wrong type of refinance was used....
Can You Buy a House Before Your Divorce Is Final?
Most people assume the answer is no. They think: “I have to wait until the divorce is finalized… then I’ll figure out where I’m going to live.” And to be honest—most lenders will tell you the same thing. But that’s not always accurate. I’ve helped numerous clients...
How Important Is Homeownership After Divorce?
If you’re going through a divorce, it’s easy to think: “I just need to get through this… I’ll figure everything else out later.” Especially when it comes to homeownership. But this is where a lot of people make a costly mistake. Because what you decide during the...
Amicable Divorce Doesn’t Mean You Can Skip the Planning
There’s a lot to admire about an amicable divorce. You’re choosing respect. You’re choosing cooperation. You’re choosing what’s best for your family—especially your kids. And I love that. But here’s what I’m starting to see more and more: Just because your divorce is...
Divorced After 10 Years of Marriage? You May Be Eligible for Social Security Benefits on Your Ex-Spouse
One of the most overlooked financial rules in divorce involves Social Security benefits. If you were married for at least 10 years, you may be eligible to collect Social Security based on your ex-spouse’s work record — even after the divorce. Many people don’t realize...
Paying Support After Divorce? The 2018 Tax Law Change Could Cost You More Than You Think
If you are the one paying support after divorce, the tax rules are not what they used to be. Since 2018, maintenance (alimony) is no longer tax-deductible for the person paying it. That means the income you use to pay support is fully taxable to you, even though that...
You Took Out a HELOC to Buy Out Your Ex… Were You Hoping the Interest Would Be Deductible?
Now that tax season is here, I’ve been having more conversations with people who are looking back at decisions they made during their divorce and wondering if they should have structured things differently. One situation that comes up a lot involves using a home...
Capital Gains and the Marital Home — The Tax Surprise Many Divorcing Couples Don’t See Coming
One of the biggest financial mistakes I see during divorce has nothing to do with the mortgage, the interest rate, or even the settlement itself. It has to do with capital gains tax on the marital home — and the problem is that many people don’t think about it until...
Downsizing After Gray Divorce: Why It’s Often the Smartest Financial Move
One of the biggest realizations in gray divorce is this: Downsizing is not a failure. It’s often the smartest strategic move you can make. For many people divorcing after 50, the marital home was supposed to be the forever home. It’s where children were raised. It’s...
Social Security and Gray Divorce: What Homeowners Over 50 Need to Understand
When you’re going through gray divorce, there is a lot of focus on retirement accounts, home equity, and maintenance. But one piece that often gets overlooked — or misunderstood — is Social Security. And for many people divorcing after 50, Social Security can become a...
Should You Keep the House in Gray Divorce? Retirement vs. Home Equity
One of the hardest conversations in gray divorce is this: Should I keep the house? For many people divorcing after 50, this is the home they believed would be their forever home. It’s where they raised their children. It’s where they imagined grandchildren visiting....
The Career Pause Problem in Gray Divorce: Qualifying for a Mortgage After 50
One of the most common challenges I see in gray divorce is what I call the career pause problem. This usually happens in marriages where there were children involved. At some point, a decision was made — often mutually — that one person would step back from their...
Gray Divorce Is a Financial Rebuild — Not Just a Divorce
Gray divorce — divorce after age 50 — is one of the fastest-growing divorce trends in the United States. But divorcing later in life is not just the end of a marriage. It is a complete financial rebuild at a stage when there is less time to recover from mistakes....
When Debt Awarded in Divorce Is Not Counted for Mortgage Qualification
One of the most confusing parts of divorce and mortgages is this: A divorce decree does not remove you from a debt — but a lender may still choose not to count that debt when qualifying you for a mortgage. Both statements can be true at the same time. This disconnect...
Why a Divorce Decree Does Not Remove You From a Mortgage or Other Joint Debt
Why a Divorce Decree Does Not Remove You From a Mortgage One of the most common and dangerous misunderstandings in divorce is this: Many people believe that once a divorce decree assigns responsibility for a mortgage or other debt, they are no longer tied to that...
Doctor Loans, Divorce, and the Hidden Risk of Low Down Payments
Doctor loans are often marketed as an ideal solution for high-income professionals. They allow physicians to purchase homes with very low down payments, often as little as 5%, while avoiding private mortgage insurance and preserving cash for other priorities. But when...
VA Loans, Divorce, and the Risk No One Talks About
VA loans are one of the most powerful home-buying benefits available to veterans and active-duty service members. The ability to purchase a home with 100% financing is an incredible advantage, especially for buyers who don’t want to drain savings for a down payment...
Keeping a Low COVID Mortgage After Divorce: The “Cheap Rate” Might Actually Be Costing You More
One of the most common debates I see in divorce goes something like this: “I have a 2.75% mortgage. I cannot give that up.” And I get it. Those ultra-low COVID interest rates feel like gold. But here’s the problem: Focusing only on the interest rate often causes...
A “Good” Attorney vs. a “Bad” Attorney in Divorce: What People Really Mean—and Why Strategy Matters
This isn’t the most common question I get directly. But it is one of the most common requests I see in divorce-related social media groups: “Can anyone recommend a good divorce attorney?” Usually followed by something like: “Someone who can deal with a difficult or...