Solving Life's Next Chapter Podcast - Cutting Edge Information for Your Powerful Senior Years
Remember college shopping with your kids to find the best school for them?
Or, the other milestone of getting married and you had to find the place for your wedding and all the accoutrements?
Navigating the unknown is tricky, at first. So knowing the issues and milestones as you age and how to make good choices to address them for your aging parents or even for yourself is critical.
Have you shared how you want you want your golden years to look with your family? Does your family know what you want to happen when you are no longer here?
Do they know your wishes about your health care so they can help you in the best way possible if you are unable to tell them when that time comes?
What about your plans for living when you can no longer live alone?
Knowing these personal choices and the answers to these questions is a guessing game. Plus, just like paying for your dream wedding was a concern, so is paying for in-home help as you age. And moving to a home that offers assistance on the campus such as an assisted living community can also be pricy. What's involved in downsizing to a smaller home so that you can liquidate some equity to help pay for future services, such as caregivers? Or what kind of plan is needed to manage daily life if a family member receives a dementia diagnosis?
Did you know there are dozens of ways to answer these questions? There are!
But, which are YOUR best answers? Few of us ever thinks about managing aging issues, but the truth is, it happens to every person in every walk of life, every single day. There are 60,000 baby boomers turning 65 EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Listen to our Solving Life's Next Chapter Podcast and get to know me and my vetted, friendly guests who have answers we all need and ideas we can weigh as we age or as we help our parents age.
Let's Solve YOUR Life's Next Chapter together!
Solving Life's Next Chapter Podcast - Cutting Edge Information for Your Powerful Senior Years
Why Title & Escrow Matter Part 1
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Lynn opened by explaining that while many people focus on the house itself, they often overlook what happens behind the scenes in the title and escrow process. The “fine print” of transferring ownership, safeguarding against unexpected liens or claims, and making sure all parties are protected can make a big difference — especially when dealing with senior clients, inherited properties, or changing living arrangements.
Some of the specific ways Lynn described this include:
- Ensuring the chain of title is clear and free of surprises (e.g., unknown heirs, unresolved judgments, tax liens).
- Confirming that the property being sold or transferred is actually eligible to be transferred (especially when the owner is elderly, incapacitated, or the estate is involved).
- Escrow’s role as a neutral holder and facilitator: assets (or deeds) are held safely, funds are disbursed appropriately, and instructions executed properly.
- How the title/escrow side overlaps with probate or senior transition issues — for example, when someone has moved into assisted living, or the home is part of an estate sale, the title process can reveal hidden complications.
The key message: when you’re at a point of significant life transition — downsizing, estate settlement, moving a parent to assisted living, or selling a long-held home — having a trusted title/escrow officer like Lynn on your team is critical.
Highlights from the Conversation
Here are some of Lynn’s key points from the show:
- Start early: Lynn emphasized that waiting until the last moment to review title or escrow issues can create stress and unexpected delays. For example, if you’re selling a home that’s part of an estate, discovering a lien or unresolved their claim late in the game can derail everything.
- Know what you’re signing: Lynn reminded listeners that escrow isn’t simply “paperwork” — it is the legal process that governs how and when ownership and funds are transferred. Understanding who is signing, who is authorized, and what they’re signing for matters.
- Expect the unexpected: Even when someone assumes “everything is clear,” Lynn shared true-life examples of title issues that surfaced in senior estates: old judgments, siblings who weren’t aware of a transfer, or delayed recordings.
- Choose the right partner: In a world of many title/escrow companies, Lynn stressed choosing a firm with experience in senior transitions, estates and probate, since these cases often require extra attention and sensitivity.
- Communication is key: For real-estate professionals, families and seniors alike, Lynn’s advice was to foster open communication early — letting everyone know the timeline, the steps, and the responsibilities ahead of time helps avoid last-minute surprises.
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