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my 80 year old father has a reverse mortgage on his house. It clearly states in the paperwork that it cannot be used as a rental property. He insists that he is going to rent it out because he needs the income and move back to Oregon because the altitude is better for his health. Numerous people have told him that it is illegal to rent the house with a reverse mortgage but he will not listen. The people include everyone in our family the loan officers who are trying to help him get a loan for another house in order again and several others. Is it a sign of a disease like dementia or is he just being a stubborn old man? he also told the loan officer in Oregon that he has income from this house already when he doesn't. Any advice appreciated.

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Lack of reasoning ability is a sign of dementia. You need to get him in for a neuropsych exam.
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A reverse mortgage is a complex financial transaction and it rarely happens that the borrower understands all the terms and conditions. However, if your dad does not occupy the property as his primary residence and or rents out the entire home the lender will trigger a default and foreclose. I am generalizing for you because I don't know the specifics or the lender for your dad's loan. It is important though that you understand his rights and options according to HUD regulations. Then he can make a choice how to deal with the property that is in his best interest.. I am happy to review his rights and options with you.
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Has he been evaluated for dementia? Does anyone have POA for him?
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Without wishing to be rude, was he always a bit of a con artist? Because otherwise it sounds as if he cannot comprehend the concept of a contract, and you would be right to see warning signs of cognitive decline at least.
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I agree with CM. Plenty of people have a mentality that only allows them to see what they consider best for themselves. They don't all have dementia!

If this illogical behavior is recent and/or if he has other "odd" behaviors, then, yes, it would probably be good to convince him to have a medical evaluation. But if this behavior is just more of how he's always approached life, then I'm not sure you need to look for a medical explanation.

Let's assume that you are able to get Dad in for an evaluation. The results suggest that he is in early stages of some kind of dementia.

Then what?

Well, it will help you to know this as you try to look out for his best interests. So it is worth knowing. BUT it is highly unlikely that he will be declared incompetent to handle his own affairs at this point. So how are you going to prevent him from making self-destructive decisions, taking illegal actions, and messing up his finances totally?

In addition to trying to have him evaluated, I think a consultation with an attorney who specializes in Elder Law could be useful. Explain the situation and ask for legal ways you can keep your father from getting himself into serious trouble.
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It wold be a pretty profound lack of judgement to not only plan to nullify the reverse mortgage contract but also to TELL the exact same people who would enforce a judgement against you that you were doing it. I doubt this is just "stubborn old man" stuff here. It is probably time to get the eval and get control over finances and major decisionmaking for his sake.
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I'm not sure. He hasn't been tested for dementia or diagnosed with dementia. I don't think he's a con artist but he does insist on getting his way or disregard the rules of Society sometimes when he thinks something's not going his way so that's why I'm asking because it's hard to differentiate between his personality and this behavior. He always has been a stand-up citizen pays his taxes pays his bills on time so I'm not sure. Actually in the last year he has forgotten or just not pay bills until something gets shut off so maybe he does have dementia.
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Dementia! He no longer understands anything but his own immediate wants, without being able to recognize the consequences. Sell the empty house before foreclosure hits. It will hit very soon, once the reverse mortgage company sees he is not living there. Pursue Guardianship, it is time.
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Sandy jolley, i will look up your email online and contact you. Thank you.
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