|
Good morning, Simply Retirement Community!
Welcome to the weekly newsletter that reminds us that retirement is not the end of the road; it is the start of a new journey.
|
|
|
My wife and I recently started watching the series The Madison. In the first episode, a wife, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, is suddenly faced with the unexpected loss of her husband of almost 40 years. What follows is raw and very real… shock, grief, regret, tension. Quite honestly, it was difficult to watch.
Not because of the storyline, but because I’ve seen those same emotions in real life. I’ve heard them in the voices of many of the women we work with. And I’ve seen them in my own family when my grandmother became a widow at 62. So much of that episode reminded me of my grandparents and the relationship they had. It wasn’t perfect, but to me, it was pretty close.
One of the most important things I’ve learned after more than 25 years of doing this work is that there is no “right” way to experience loss. The emotions can be wide ranging, and they rarely come in any kind of order. Life changes, forever. And while no one can tell someone how they should feel, we can walk alongside them as they figure out what comes next. Because this isn’t just about money. It’s about people.
|
|
|
“
You don’t want to go through all the loss of a divorce… only to face another cycle of loss, heartache, and trauma when the house decision doesn’t work out.
STACEY ELLISON
|
|
|
Should You Keep the House After Divorce? A Smarter Way to Decide
When divorce puts the future of your home into question, the biggest risk is making decisions before you fully understand your options.
In this episode, I sit down with Stacey Ellison, Certified Divorce Lending Professional and Divorce Mortgage Planner at Divorce Mortgage Solutions, to walk through how mortgage planning, settlement language, and income rules can shape what is actually possible when it comes to keeping a home.
We talk through how assets, support payments, and loan strategies factor into qualification, especially for women navigating this transition later in life. We also address the emotional pull of the family home and how to balance that with long-term financial stability.
Key Takeaways:
- Why divorce mortgage planning should happen before the settlement agreement is finalized
- How settlement language can affect whether support, assets, or other funds count as qualifying income
- What options may be available when someone wants to keep the house, including loan assumptions, FHA, and asset depletion strategies
- Why emotions around the marital home can lead to costly decisions if long-term affordability is not considered
- How women going through gray divorce can use retirement income, Social Security, and other assets to qualify more effectively
- And more!
You can catch every episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast on the website - or on your favorite podcast app.
CLICK TO TUNE IN 👇
|
|
|
Related Links & Resources
|
|
|
What Women Don’t Say Out Loud About Retirement — Eric Blake on Loss, Identity, and Security
I recently had the opportunity to join Lisa Begley on The Sock Drawer Podcast for a conversation that was both personal and meaningful.
We talked about the experiences that shaped my work, especially watching the women in my life navigate loss, and how that continues to influence the way I approach retirement planning today.
We also explored the emotional side of retirement, particularly for women who often find themselves making financial decisions on their own after divorce or loss.
Because retirement is not just about money. It is about security, freedom, and the ability to move forward with confidence.
And one reminder I hope resonates: take a seat at the table, ask questions, and understand your options. The decisions you make today will shape your future for years to come.
|
|
|
Have more questions about retirement planning? Just hit reply to this email. I read and respond to every message. 😃
Keeping Retirement Simple,
Eric Blake, CFP®
|
|
|
Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.
All investing involves risk including loss of principal. Results will vary. Past performance is no indication of future results or success. Market conditions change continuously.
Information here is provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither Blake Wealth Management nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources. The views expressed here are those of Blake Wealth Management. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, their employees, or their clients.
This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Blake Wealth Management or RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.
Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC ("RFG Advisory" or "RFG") a registered investment advisor. Blake Wealth Management and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.
RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.
|
|
|
