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Michael G. Branson Michael G. Branson, CEO of All Reverse Mortgage, Inc., and moderator of ARLO™, has 45 years of experience in mortgage banking, with the past 20 years devoted exclusively to reverse mortgages. A Forbes Real Estate Council member, he developed the industry's first fixed-rate jumbo reverse mortgage and has been featured in Forbes, Kiplinger, the LA Times, and Yahoo Finance. (License: NMLS# 14040)
Cliff Auerswald Cliff Auerswald, President of All Reverse Mortgage, Inc., and co-creator of ARLO™ — the industry's first real-time reverse mortgage pricing engine — has 27 years of experience in mortgage banking, with 20+ years focused exclusively on reverse mortgages. A recognized expert in reverse mortgage technology and consumer education, he has been featured in Kiplinger, Yahoo Finance, Realtor.com, and HousingWire. (License: NMLS# 14041)
WHAT ACTUALLY QUALIFIES YOU

Reverse Mortgage Qualifications 2026 — Age, Equity, Income, Credit & Citizenship Requirements

There is no credit score minimum to qualify for a reverse mortgage. What matters is your age, the equity in your home, and enough residual income to cover ongoing property charges. This guide walks through every 2026 requirement, including HUD's new citizenship rule.

Michael G. Branson, CEO of All Reverse Mortgage
By Michael G. Branson
CEO · 45 yrs in mortgage banking
Cliff Auerswald, President of All Reverse Mortgage
Edited By Cliff Auerswald
President · All Reverse Mortgage Inc.
⏱ 6 min read ✓ Fact Checked HUD-Lender #26031-0007 18 comments

If you’re a homeowner age 62 or older and want access to a portion of your home equity without selling or taking on new required monthly payments, a reverse mortgage may be an option. But you must meet HUD’s eligibility criteria for income, property, equity, and citizenship status.

This guide explains every qualification you need to know, including HUD policy changes and how lenders evaluate applicants.

ARLO teaching reverse mortgage eligibility & qualifications

Quick Eligibility Checklist

To qualify for an FHA-insured HECM reverse mortgage, you must:

  • Be 62 or older (youngest borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse sets loan factors)
  • Have U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, per HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-09 effective May 25, 2025
  • Live in the property as your primary residence
  • Have enough home equity to pay off any existing mortgage at closing
  • Meet HUD residual income requirements after expenses
  • Maintain an acceptable payment history on taxes, insurance, and mortgage obligations
  • Property must meet FHA minimum property standards and pass the appraisal process

If you meet most of these, you may qualify. Below is a detailed breakdown of each requirement based on HUD’s current guidelines.

Age Requirement

  • Minimum age for FHA HECM: 62
  • Private or jumbo reverse mortgages may allow borrowers as young as 55, depending on state rules
  • If one spouse is under 62, they may still be listed as an eligible non-borrowing spouse, allowing them to remain in the home for life under HUD protections

Residency Requirement (2025 HUD Update)

HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-09 introduced a new eligibility rule effective May 25, 2025:

  • Eligible: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
  • No longer eligible: Non-permanent residents and temporary visa holders, even if previously allowed

This change applies to all FHA case numbers assigned on or after May 25, 2025.

Home Equity Requirement

The reverse mortgage must pay off your existing mortgage balance at closing. If proceeds aren’t enough, the difference must be covered with cash at closing.

Most borrowers need approximately 40-60% equity, but HUD loan factors are based on:

  • Age of the youngest borrower
  • Current expected interest rate
  • Current lending limit: $1,249,125 maximum claim amount for HECM

To preview exactly how much you may qualify for, use our reverse mortgage calculator.

Credit History

HUD does not set a minimum credit score for HECM. Instead, lenders review payment history over the past 24 months, focusing on:

  • Mortgage payments
  • Property taxes
  • Homeowners insurance
  • HOA dues

If there are late payments or risk indicators, HUD may require a Life Expectancy Set-Aside (LESA) to ensure taxes and insurance are paid.

2025 Update: HUD allows both fully and partially funded LESA, depending on how much shortfall exists.

Income Requirement

Reverse mortgages use residual income instead of a debt-to-income ratio to determine if you qualify. Residual income is what remains after paying essential expenses such as utilities, food, and debts.

Residual Income Requirements (HUD Table):

Family SizeNortheastMidwestSouthWest
1$540$529$529$589
2$906$886$886$998
3$946$927$927$1,031
4 or more$1,066$1,041$1,041$1,160
These figures are derived from HUD’s Financial Assessment & Property Charge Guide. This table reproduces the "Table of Residual Incomes by Region", which is a part of a Cash Flow/Residual Income Analysis. It shows the required residual income by family size for the regions of Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.

If residual income falls slightly below the requirement, a partially funded LESA may be used to meet compliance. If significantly below, a fully funded LESA is required to ensure long-term housing expenses are covered.

For more details, visit our reverse mortgage financial assessment guide.

Property and Appraisal Standards

Your home must be your primary residence and meet FHA Minimum Property Standards. While FHA has modernized some appraisal handbook language, HECM property safety and habitability requirements remain unchanged.

Eligible properties:

  • Single-family homes
  • FHA-approved condos
  • 2–4 unit properties (borrower must live in one unit)

Vacation, rental, or investment properties do not qualify.

Government vs. Private Reverse Mortgages: Qualification Differences

FactorHECM (Government)Jumbo/Private
Age62+55+ (some states)
Loan Limit$1,249,125$4,000,000
Credit/IncomeFlexible w/ LESAStricter standards
PropertyHUD standardsLender discretion

Private reverse mortgages may be a better option for high-value homes, but they typically require more substantial income and credit history. To compare your options, check out our HECM vs. proprietary reverse mortgage guide.

Do You Qualify? Find out with a free quote from All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. (ARLO™) — America’s #1 rated lender with a 4.99/5-star rating! Call (800) 565-1722 or click here for your free quote — simple, trusted, 100% secure!

Frequently Asked Questions About Reverse Mortgage Qualifications

Q.

What Percentage of Home Equity Do I Need to Qualify for a Reverse Mortgage?

The amount of home equity required depends on your age (or the age of the youngest borrower), current interest rates, and HUD guidelines.

For an FHA-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), at 62 years old, you may qualify for a loan amount of around 37% of your home’s value. By age 92, that percentage can increase to 72%.

If your spouse is under 62, they can still be included as a non-borrowing spouse, but the loan amount will be based on their age.

Jumbo reverse mortgages may be available for homes valued above HUD’s lending limit ($1,249,125). These private loans often allow borrowing at lower percentages but can provide larger loan amounts.

Q.

Who is Not Eligible for a Reverse Mortgage?

You are not eligible if you are under 62 years old (or under 55 for some private programs), the home is not your primary residence (you must live in it for at least 6 months per year), your property type isn’t eligible (reverse mortgages are for single-family homes, FHA-approved condos, or 2-4 unit properties if you live in one unit — vacation homes and investment properties do not qualify), you don’t have enough home equity to pay off your existing mortgage or cover any shortfall at closing, or you can’t afford to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees — failure to do so can result in foreclosure.
Q.

Do I Need to Have a Certain Income to Qualify for a Reverse Mortgage?

Yes, but the income requirements are more flexible than traditional mortgages. Instead of using a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, lenders look at your residual income, which is the money left after paying all your monthly expenses. For example, if your monthly expenses are $2,000 and your monthly income is $3,000, your debt-to-income ratio would be 67%, but your residual income is $1,000. Even if your debt-to-income ratio is high, having enough residual income can still qualify you for a reverse mortgage.
Q.

What Credit Score Do I Need to Get a Reverse Mortgage?

No minimum credit score is required for a government-insured HECM reverse mortgage. Instead of focusing on your score, lenders will review your credit history (to see if you’ve been making payments on time) and your ability to cover property taxes, homeowners insurance, and other housing expenses. Even if you’ve had credit issues in the past, you may still qualify.
Q.

Who Sets the Rules for Reverse Mortgages?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishes the rules for HECM reverse mortgages, including borrower requirements (such as age and property eligibility), loan limits, and appraisal and underwriting standards. While all HECM lenders must follow HUD guidelines, they can set additional criteria, such as income verification requirements. Jumbo reverse mortgages are private programs not regulated by HUD, so the lenders set their own rules.
Q.

Do I Need to Pay Off My Current Mortgage Before Getting a Reverse Mortgage?

No! You don’t need to pay off your existing mortgage before applying. In fact, most borrowers use a reverse mortgage to pay off their existing mortgage, eliminating their monthly payments. However, if you’ve had late payments on your mortgage, property taxes, or homeowners insurance in the past 24 months, you may need a Life Expectancy Set-Aside (LESA) to cover future property expenses. A portion of your loan funds is set aside to pay property taxes and insurance, and the amount required depends on your age and property expenses — younger borrowers may need a larger LESA.

Policy Watch (2025): HUD issued a Request for Information in October 2025 seeking industry feedback on whether LESA funding formulas and Financial Assessment rules need updating. No changes are active yet, but adjustments could follow. We will update this page if HUD issues a revision.


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Author Michael Branson
About the Author, Michael G. Branson | Mike@allreverse.com
Michael G. Branson CEO, All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. and moderator of ARLO™ has 45 years of experience in the mortgage banking industry. He has devoted the past 20 years to reverse mortgages exclusively.

Have a Question About Reverse Mortgages?

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Post your question in the comments below and anticipate a personalized response from Mr. Branson himself, typically within one business day. He's here to illuminate all angles of reverse mortgages, ensuring you're equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Take this opportunity to gain insights from a seasoned professional.

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18 Comments on this Article
  1.   Patsy Cates
    December 28th, 2024
    I have a question. Hope I can leave it here. I have applied for a reverse mortgage and my appraisal was today. I understand that, if approved, at closing payout would be partial pmt. at closing and a second payment one year later. When would final payment be?Also, I am 85 years old. Since I am at this advanced age, would it be unwise of me to continue since they do not give lump sum payments, or do they? If not, do they ever make exceptions? I may not live to enjoy the proceeds of this loan if I can't get lump sum. HELP!
    Reply to Patsy
    • Michael Branson Michael Branson
      December 30th, 2024
      Unless you need all the funds to pay off existing liens on your home or are using the reverse mortgage to purchase a property, HUD does not allow 100% of the funds to be disbursed at the loan closing. However, any funds not available at closing can be accessed after 12 months. Specifically, on day 366, you can draw all remaining funds from your line of credit that were initially unavailable.
      You're not required to take all the funds at that time - you can choose when and how to withdraw them based on your needs. For instance, you could withdraw all the remaining funds on day 366, spread out the withdrawals over time, or decide on another schedule that works best for you.
      Regarding your concerns about age and payout structure, reverse mortgages are designed to provide flexibility and financial security, even for borrowers at an advanced age. Unfortunately, HUD rules don't allow for exceptions to the payout schedule unless the funds are needed to pay off liens or for a home purchase. If you feel this structure doesn't meet your immediate financial needs, it might be worth revisiting your goals with the loan and exploring whether another option could better serve your circumstances.
      I hope this helps clarify things for you! If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out.
      Reply to Michael
  2.   Patst C.
    December 28th, 2024
    I have a question. I hope I can leave it here. I have applied for a reverse mortgage, and my appraisal was today. I understand that, if approved, the payout at closing would be partial, with a second payment one year later.
    When would the final payment be? Also, I am 85 years old. Since I am at this advanced age, would it be unwise to continue if they don't allow lump-sum payments? Do they ever make exceptions? I may not live long enough to enjoy the proceeds of this loan if I can't get the full amount upfront. HELP!
    Reply to Patst
  3.   Bessie D.
    October 17th, 2024
    Hi Mike,
    My name is Bessie, and I was reading some questions and answers on your All Reverse Mortgage page that were recently submitted. My situation is as follows: My husband and I recently decided to explore a reverse mortgage due to significant changes in our finances. He retired last year (we both just turned 66 in September), and my job unexpectedly shut down after I had worked there for 18 years full-time and then the last year and a half part-time. We both began receiving Social Security last year, which is why I went part-time to stay within the income guidelines.
    So, I went online looking for information on reverse mortgages, and Mutual of Omaha came up. I called for information, and they told me we didn't qualify for a reverse mortgage and that I should contact HUD to get an explanation and see what options we qualify for. Can you explain what that means?
    Reply to Bessie
    • Michael Branson Michael Branson
      October 17th, 2024
      Hello Bessie,
      Honestly, I can't say why they gave you that response. Nothing you've shared would disqualify you from a reverse mortgage loan, so I'm unsure what they think they know that I haven't yet discovered. If there is something specific that would disqualify you, they should have communicated that directly instead of directing you to HUD.
      It's true that HUD sets the program parameters, but they do not work directly with borrowers. If there was an issue that disqualified you, the lender should have been clear with you rather than providing such an unclear directive. It's unlikely that HUD would even respond to such an inquiry - they'd probably just refer you back to a lender.
      I don't know where you're located or the specifics of your situation, but I think we can assist you more effectively. I'd encourage you to visit our website at https://reverse.mortgage/calculator and fill out some non-personal information. The most personal details we ask for are your zip code and birthdate, which allows us to provide accurate closing costs for your area and HUD program benefits tailored to borrowers of your age. If you're uncomfortable using your exact birthdate, you can use an approximate date like 9/1/1958 and update it later.
      Our online calculator will show you potential benefits, and if you like what you see, you can choose whether or not to have someone contact you. If you're located in a state where we're not licensed, we won't be able to assist with a loan directly, but we can still give you an idea of what to expect and clarify any potential issues. We won't solicit you for a loan if that's not permitted by licensing laws, but we're here to help however we can.
      It's entirely up to you, but it could be worthwhile to spend a few minutes on the website. It's free, there's no pressure, and I'm also curious why they responded the way they did.
      Best regards,
      Mike
      Reply to Michael
  4.   Susan
    October 4th, 2024
    Hello Michael,
    I decided to pursue a reverse mortgage this spring. I reached out to four lenders for quotes and ultimately signed an application with one of them. I've obtained my counseling certificate, and just this week, my home appraisal was completed without any requirement for a second appraisal by the FHA. The valuation was higher than expected, and now it's pending the underwriter's review.
    The loan officer mentioned that the underwriter (UW) could contest some of the comparable sales (comps), potentially reducing the valuation. Additionally, while the appraiser did not request repairs, the UW could still request inspections. I spent the entire summer preparing my home for this appraisal to avoid any delays in the loan process.
    If the underwriter requests adjustments, could I consider another lender? Would my counseling certificate and appraisal still be valid to close with a different lender? I understand that I would be responsible for the cost of both the certificate and the appraisal.
    Thank you!
    Reply to Susan
    • Michael Branson Michael Branson
      October 7th, 2024
      Hello Susan,
      You have the right to transfer your HUD Case Number and loan to any lender of your choice. The counseling certificate and appraisal remain with you and the property, so there would be no need to repeat these steps. If neither HUD nor the appraiser is calling for repairs, you can certainly explore options with other lenders to see if they have different requirements.
      However, keep in mind that HUD holds lenders accountable for the quality of the loan. The Direct Endorsement (DE) underwriter must ensure that the appraisal meets HUD's standards. An underwriter cannot simply accept an appraisal because HUD didn't flag it for a second review if there are concerns that need addressing. Depending on the issues the original underwriter flagged, switching lenders may yield the same result.
      Without having seen the appraisal or local sales data, I can't assess the likelihood of a successful outcome with a new lender. It's true that underwriters may interpret the same information differently, as underwriting isn't an exact science. A different perspective might help if the original underwriter lacked familiarity with the area or property type. However, if the appraiser's selected comps were not ideal, or if adjustments were heavily relied upon due to a lack of suitable sales, the outcome may be similar with any lender.
      If you feel your current lender is being overly strict with appraisal requirements, you could consider having another lender review the appraisal before transferring. At All Reverse Mortgage, Inc., we review the appraisal before accepting a case transfer to avoid any issues with corrections, especially if your current lender uses their own appraisal management company, as they typically won't cooperate with new lenders. Should the appraisal not be acceptable as-is, you may need to obtain a new appraisal at your expense.
      It's a challenging situation, but we always aim to prevent borrowers from incurring additional costs unless necessary.
      Reply to Michael
  5.   Richard S.
    April 11th, 2022
    Hi Arlo,
    I wonder why the lender couldn't simply deduct the amount of the set-aside from the available loan balance, rather than requiring an upfront cash payment. Please advise. Thank you for your assistance.
    Reply to Richard
    • Michael Branson Michael Branson
      April 19th, 2022
      Hello Richard,
      The set aside is money that is typically set aside from the loan proceeds and then the borrower would receive any leftover funds from the loan to use for their purposes. The only time that it would be required for the borrower to bring cash in would be if the payoff of any existing loans plus the set aside amount plus any costs to get the loan exceeded the principal limit or loan amount the borrower would receive on their reverse mortgage.
      For example, if a borrower's Principal Limit (loan amount) from their reverse mortgage is $200,000 and their costs are $10,000, their existing loan amount is $190,000, there is only enough money in the loan to pay off the existing loan and the costs of the new loan ($200,000 loan available Minus $190,000 Loan Payoff Minus $10,000 Costs equals $0 funds remaining).
      If a LESA (Life Expectancy Set Aside) to pay the taxes and insurance is required under HUD's financial assessment guidelines and that would require another $35,000 to be set aside, there is no money left to set aside in this example.
      The only way this borrower could close the loan would be if they wanted to bring the funds into closing. If this borrower only had a $100,000 existing home loan to pay off, then they would use $100,000 to pay off the existing mortgage, $10,000 for their costs and $35,000 would be set aside to pay their taxes and insurance as they became due.
      The remaining $55,000 would be available to the borrower in accordance with HUD's disbursement rules for obtaining cash ($200,000 Reverse Mortgage available Minus $100,000 Existing Loan Payoff Minus $10,000 Costs Minus $35,000 set aside for future costs equals $55,000 remaining for borrower to use).
      It is important to also note that the set aside funds are not a fee and are not considered money borrowed until they are actually used to pay the borrowers taxes or insurance expenses. And then, only the portion of the set aside funds actually used at that time are added to the amount owed. So, the $35,000 is set aside and does not accrue any interest owed until actually used.
      So, if the first installment of taxes is paid by the lender 4 months later for $500, then $500 of the set aside funds would be paid to the tax collector by the lender and at that time transferred to the balance owed and interest would begin accruing on that portion of the set aside funds just the same at the other balance owed by the borrower.
      So the only thing I can surmise from your statement is that there was not a sufficient amount of money available to you on the loan to pay the existing loan off, the costs of the new loan and your set-aside balance without exceeding the loan based on your age, property value and HUD limits. Otherwise, the lender would have set the funds aside from the available proceeds of the loan.
      That is why they call it a set-aside, because the funds are meant to be set aside from your available proceeds and used to pay your taxes and insurance but then if there is not enough money to set aside to cover the amount needed, you either need to bring cash in to close the loan or the loan would be denied.
      Reply to Michael
  6.   Bill
    January 17th, 2022
    If i have 50% equity and meet all other requirements do i qualify for reverse mortgage?
    Reply to Bill
    •   Carol C.
      June 6th, 2024
      Hi Michael,
      If you end up with a set-aside amount of $35,000, do you pay the taxes and insurance out of your own pocket, or does it come out of the set-aside automatically every time they are due?
      Thank you,
      Carol
      Reply to Carol
      • Michael Branson Michael Branson
        June 8th, 2024
        Hello Carol,
        The servicer will pay the taxes and insurance when they are due. It's actually a pretty good deal for borrowers, and let me explain why. It's true, you don't get to use the $35,000 you mentioned for other purposes, but if you didn't specifically need those funds, that portion of the line is "set aside" and those funds are not borrowed money until the servicer sends them to the taxing authority or the insurance company. If your taxes are $2,500, then that amount is sent to your tax assessor and added to your loan balance. The remainder of the set-aside are unborrowed funds on your line and continue to grow under the same terms as the rest of the line of credit.
        Many people ask, "What happens to the set-aside funds if I don't use them all by the time I pay off the loan or pass away?" But that's another common misconception about the set-aside account. The lender isn't holding funds in a bank account somewhere. Since those are funds you didn't use, they just don't need to be repaid. For a very simplified example, let's say your reverse mortgage is for $200,000, $35,000 of which is set aside for taxes and insurance purposes. If you pay off the loan early or your heirs pay the loan off after you pass, you or they pay off the amount you borrowed plus whatever interest accrued on that money. If you only ever took $100,000 in draws and the lender only used $10,000 to pay your taxes and insurance (from the set-aside), the amount you or your heirs would owe would be the $110,000 you borrowed and the lender paid on your behalf from the funds set aside, plus the interest that accrued on that amount.
        There is no money to be recovered from an account somewhere, but you also never borrowed that portion of the line available to you, so you don't have to pay it back. Think of it like a credit card with a $10,000 line of credit on which you only spend $1,000. When you close the card, you only pay off what you owed plus any interest on that amount, not the entire $10,000 just because that was the amount available to you. The reverse mortgage set-aside is still just money available to you for the payment of taxes and insurance, but they are not "spent" or borrowed until the lender actually sends them to your tax assessor or insurance company. Now you do not need to worry about the taxes being paid on time for as long as your set-aside account is active.
        One thing to remember is that the account is called a LESA for a reason. It is a Life Expectancy Set Aside. It is only set to last for the expected life of a borrower. This means that you can outlive the account and may need to start paying your taxes and insurance in the future. If you determine the amount of your taxes and insurance annually, you will see that the funds set aside in the LESA account will not last until you are 100 years old because that is not the life expectancy for the vast majority of borrowers. My advice to all borrowers with a LESA is to start putting money into a separate account right away for the future payment of taxes and insurance. If you never need the funds for taxes and insurance, you can use them for something else later, but it's easier to start saving when all other payments for the house are suddenly gone than to wait and then face taxes and insurance obligations again should you outlive your LESA account.
        Reply to Michael
  7.   Tom Z.
    February 15th, 2021
    Do homes in reverse mortgage ever really go into default due to lack of maintenance upkeep? It's a strict rule and very well-known but how could that ever really happen? So they title holders come out one day and inspect, make a decision and the next day you're out of your home? Just like that? Isn't there a grace period or something?
    Reply to Tom
    • Michael Branson Michael Branson
      February 18th, 2021
      Hello Tom,
      The only way I can answer this is "it depends on the circumstances".
      About maintenance, I have seen servicers work with borrowers to resolve issues for which Homeowner Associations and municipalities have filed notices to correct and I have seen them move with more urgency when those notices were concerned with health and safety issues that could result in additional follow up issues, liens or potential liability.
      I know that occupancy is a huge concern as non-owner-occupied properties cost HUD millions each year due to vacancies, deferred maintenance and keeping loans on the books that should have been called sooner (that continue to accrue interest and increase the HUD losses).
      If the occupancy is questionable at the time a lender does an inspection, they may schedule for additional inspections. If they determine that the borrower is not living in the home, that is a breach of the terms and that loan would most likely be called due and payable immediately, there would be no grace period.
      Reply to Michael
  8.   Juan R.
    May 7th, 2020
    Which is the youngest age a person can apply for a reverse mortgage? Thanks.
    Reply to Juan
    • Michael Branson Michael Branson
      May 11th, 2020
      Hello Juan,
      You must be 62 to get a reverse mortgage under the government-insured HECM program.
      Reply to Michael
  9.   Lynda Haight
    June 29th, 2017
    Hello, I married a man who already had a reverse mortgage. If he passes, am I eligible to remain in the home? As far as we can see, I will not be able to, and will be forced to leave my home a year after his demise? This ruling needs to be reassessed, as it will be a huge hardship for me, as I have nowhere to go. I am already 73 years old, and I can't even imagine leaving my home! Please advise! Thank-you, Lynda A. Haight
    Reply to Lynda
    • Michael Branson Michael Branson
      June 29th, 2017
      Hi Linda,
      If you were not an original borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse at the time the loan was originated, then the loan would be due and payable at the time the borrower permanently leaves the home. HUD has no plans to revise this policy to my knowledge as the benefit is derived based on the age of the youngest borrower on the loan and borrowers can live in the property for the rest of their lives without having to make a payment. If solely by marrying a younger spouse later the loan would not be due and payable based on the original provisions and the new spouse were able to remain in the home for the rest of his/her life as well, the risk to HUD would not be something they could not quantify and the program would not work. HUD can only underwrite the loan based on the known parameters at the time the loan is granted and insured.
      However, having said that, you and your husband can refinance the loan now in both your names so that you would both be covered with the new loan. There may or may not be enough equity in the home at this time to allow you to do the loan without having to bring cash in the close the loan, but HUD does allow you to bring the cash in if it is required. I don't know how much equity is in the home or how the property set to be settled at that time, but the best bet would be to have the situation resolved in advance if at all possible.
      Reply to Michael

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