When faith, family, and finances collide, elders can become vulnerable in ways they never expected. In this episode of Plan for This, Marguerite and Ron share the story of Dolores, a 78 year old widow whose increasing church gifts and pastor recommended reverse mortgage left her exposed when a serious accident changed everything.
As her son Gary steps in to help, Marguerite walks through the real reverse mortgage risks that often get glossed over, from high upfront costs to eroding home equity and forced sale when someone can no longer live in their house. She explains why big financial decisions should never be made on the advice of a single voice, and why elders need a team that includes a CPA, estate planning attorney, and, when needed, a professional fiduciary.
Later, a PlanFan asks what to do with extra GoFundMe money after a daughter’s health improves. Marguerite and Ron explore tax issues, ethical questions, and creative “pay it forward” options that still respect the intent of donors.
Welcome to the *Plan for This Podcast*—your trusted source for estate planning, wills, trusts, caregiving, and financial preparedness.
Hosted by Marguerite Lorenz and Ron Greenwald, we simplify complex topics into clear, actionable steps that help you protect what matters most.
00:00 – Opening: giving, generosity, and how cons really work
00:40 – Show intro and theme: “Did you pray for this, or did you miss?”
01:18 – Meet Gary and Dolores, her church life, and missed family holidays
02:05 – The accident, the pastor as emergency contact, and moving in with Gary
03:15 – Discovering Dolores’s tithes and the pastor recommended reverse mortgage
04:03 – Is this financial elder abuse, or is Dolores simply making choices
04:50 – Where pastors and faith leaders should (and should not) get involved
05:11 – Reverse mortgages as serious financial products, not quick fixes
05:42 – The real costs: fees, compounding interest, and borrowing from yourself
06:05 – Marguerite’s case story: a reverse mortgage months before an elder’s passing
07:31 – Health information, honesty, and the need for holistic planning
08:24 – Why a neutral CPA or advisor should read the reverse mortgage contract
09:14 – Fine print, senior living contracts, and the value of professional review
09:40 – Back to Gary: where has he been, and how much should adult children know
10:33 – “None of my kids’ business” and why elders still need a team
11:22 – Talking about tithing with a neutral third party instead of alone
11:44 – Shame, scams, and why cons rely on secrecy and embarrassment
12:32 – Is Gary really in charge, or does the pastor still hold authority
13:10 – Health care agents, hospital forms, and matching documents to the plan
14:21 – Practical steps: sharing your healthcare directive with your doctor and hospital
15:21 – If Dolores never plans, Gary could end up in probate court
16:25 – Independence versus logistics, planning while you are still clear
17:12 – Clergy, donations, and the line between generosity and exploitation
18:27 – Reverse mortgage basics: age, staying in the home, and care costs
19:36 – What happens when you can no longer live in the home
20:40 – Equity erosion, compounding interest, and forced sale scenarios
21:06 – Dolores’s likely shortfall and the importance of building a care team now
22:08 – How Gary can start the conversation: get your own estate plan first
23:22 – Marguerite’s personal story about her father and blended family planning
26:10 – Fiduciary duty, conflict of interest, and being honest about money thoughts
29:21 – Bringing it back to Gary: can he serve if the church inherits everything
31:21 – Building a team that may or may not include family members
31:47 – PlanFan invitation: share stories, comment, and anonymize if needed
32:28 – Sponsor mentions: Independent Trustee Alliance and Estate Sale Warehouse
33:18 – PlanFan question: extra GoFundMe funds after daughter’s cancer remission
34:04 – What “extra cash” really means, and options for paying it forward
35:12 – Tax questions, CPAs, and donor deductibility issues
36:09 – No perfect answer, more questions, and the power of honest community
37:08 – Closing reflections and reminder to plan for your own future
✨ What You’ll Learn on This Channel:
- Estate planning basics (wills, trusts, probate, and more)
- Executor and trustee responsibilities explained
- Family caregiving, financial preparedness, and legacy planning
- Real stories, expert insights, and practical tools
👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes: @PlanForthis
👉 Join our PlanFan community: https://planforthis.com/
Because when life asks, *“Did you plan for this?”*—you’ll be ready.
#ReverseMortgageRisks #estateplanning #FinancialElderAbuse #elderprotection #faithandfinances #planforthispodcast #fiduciaryduty #agingparents #ChurchGiving #GoFundMeEthics #seniorfinance #lifeplanning
