Can my grandchild live with me in a 55+ community?
Asked by: Dr. Kole Connelly Sr. | Last update: April 26, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (61 votes)
Your grandchild might be able to live with you in a 55+ community, but it's not guaranteed, as most communities restrict full-time residency for anyone under 18, focusing on quiet, adult-oriented living, so you must check the specific community's rules (CC&Rs) for policies on visitor duration (e.g., 30-60 days/year), amenity access, or potential exceptions, as rules vary significantly, though some do allow for primary caregiver situations with HOA approval.
Can your children live with you in a 55+ community?
You generally cannot live with minor children full-time in a 55+ community, as they are designed for older adults, but exceptions exist for adult children or temporary custody situations, and most allow grandchildren to visit for limited periods (e.g., 15-30 days/year), though specific rules vary significantly by community. Always check the community's specific rules (CC&Rs) for guest policies and potential for exceptions, especially regarding adult dependents or disabilities, as policies differ widely.
What is the downside of 55+ communities?
Disadvantages of 55+ communities include high HOA fees for amenities, strict rules (pets, decor, guests), lack of on-site healthcare, limited resale market due to age restrictions, less diversity, potential for nosy neighbors and HOA politics, restrictions on younger family visits, and possible remoteness from city centers, all while being geared for independent living without built-in care for future needs.
Can my grandchild live with me?
Grandparents do not automatically have the right to apply to Court for a child to live with them. The first step would therefore be to apply to Court for permission to make an application. If permission is granted, a grandparent can then apply for a Child Arrangements Order.
Do both people have to be 55 to live in a 55+ community?
Know before you go. Some states, like California, have additional rules for communities. Under the California Unruh Civil Rights Act, every dwelling in a non-subsidized 55+ communities must have at least one resident aged 55 or older, with no exceptions for tenants under 18 moving in alone.
Barb's tips on Grandchildren more at LivinRetirement.com
What happens if you inherit a house in a 55+ community?
Most of these communities follow an 80/20 rule. That means that 80% of the homes must be occupied by people 55 and over. If that's the case, younger family members may be able to inherit and move into the home after you're gone if the community hasn't reached the 20% maximum.
What is the average cost of 55+ communities?
The average cost for 55+ communities varies widely, generally ranging from $1,500 to $4,000+ per month, depending heavily on location, amenities (golf, recreation), housing type (apartment vs. detached home), and included services (like meals or housekeeping). Expect additional costs like HOA fees, move-in fees, or significant entrance fees for some communities, with higher costs in states like California, Maine, or the Northeast, and lower costs in the Midwest or South.
Can I claim my grandchild that lives with me?
You can claim your grandchild as a dependent as long as they qualify, per the IRS. As a descendant of yours, the qualifying child must: Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. resident alien, a U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico. Exceptions are made in certain adoption circumstances.
Can I leave my social security to my grandchildren?
Social Security will pay benefits to grandchildren when the grandparent retires, begins a period of disability, or dies, if certain conditions are met.
What if a child wants to live with a grandparent?
Courts limit grandparent custody to cases where parents are deceased, unfit, or consent to custody transfer. So even if a child prefers living with a grandparent, it typically requires a court order or agreement between both parents.
What is the 80/20 rule in a 55 plus community?
The 80/20 rule in 55+ communities means at least 80% of occupied homes must have one resident aged 55 or older, allowing up to 20% for younger occupants, as defined by the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA). This rule ensures age-restricted housing remains accessible for seniors while allowing some flexibility, maintaining community cohesion and tailored amenities, though communities can enforce stricter policies if they wish, notes 55 Places, Sweeney Law, P.A., and justjarl.com.
Are homes in 55+ communities hard to sell?
These communities are considered "aging at home," so they don't offer assisted living or health care facilities. If you need medical care, you'll have to contract with your own home care provider. Harder to sell. Since there is an age requirement, you typically aren't able to sell your home to a willing, younger buyer.
Why are 55 plus communities so cheap?
Affordable Housing
Many 55+ communities are located in more rural or suburban areas where land and construction costs are typically lower. Because these communities are age-restricted, there's a smaller buying pool and lower demand, which leads to lower prices.
What are the disadvantages of a 55+ community?
Disadvantages of 55+ communities include high HOA fees for amenities, strict rules (pets, decor, guests), lack of on-site healthcare, limited resale market due to age restrictions, less diversity, potential for nosy neighbors and HOA politics, restrictions on younger family visits, and possible remoteness from city centers, all while being geared for independent living without built-in care for future needs.
How much can a grandparent give a grandchild tax-free?
You can gift a grandchild up to $19,000 per person, per year (in 2025 and likely 2026), entirely tax-free, without filing any special forms. Married couples can combine this to give $38,000 per grandchild. For amounts over this, you use your substantial lifetime gift and estate tax exemption, which is over $13 million per person, meaning you only file a tax return (Form 709) and pay tax if you exceed this huge lifetime limit, not just the annual one.
What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?
One of the biggest mistakes people make with Social Security is claiming benefits too early, usually at age 62, which results in a permanently reduced monthly payment (potentially up to 30% less) for life, and smaller future cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). Many overlook that delaying benefits until their Full Retirement Age (FRA) or even age 70 significantly increases payments, offering a guaranteed return (around 8% annually) that can provide much-needed income later in retirement, especially if they live a long life.
What qualifies a grandchild as a dependent?
* Qualifying Relative: Most dependents are Qualifying Children. A Qualifying Relative is a grandchild or other individual whom you support but who does not necessarily live with you. You must be paying for more than half of the basic financial necessities of the grandchild—shelter, food, clothes, etc. Q.
Can I claim for my grandson living with me?
Section 50 of the Children Act 1975 allows the local authority to make payments for the maintenance of a child who is under age 18 and who is living with a person other than her/his parent.
What is the $600 rule in the IRS?
The IRS $600 rule refers to the reporting threshold for third-party payment apps (like PayPal, Venmo, Cash App) for income from goods/services, where they send Form 1099-K to you and the IRS for payments over $600 in a year. While the American Rescue Plan initially set this lower threshold for 2022 and beyond, the IRS delayed implementation, keeping the old rule ($20,000 and 200+ transactions) for 2022 and 2023, then phasing in a $5,000 threshold for 2024, before recent legislation reverted the federal threshold back to the old $20,000 and 200+ transactions for 2023 and future years (as of late 2025/early 2026), aiming to reduce confusion.
What are the benefits of grandparents who help raise grandchildren?
Grandparents raising grandchildren can access benefits like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for cash, food, and childcare; SNAP (food stamps); free school meals; and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) for younger kids, often through "child-only" grants based on the child's needs. Other help includes foster care payments, subsidized guardianships, child support redirection, Medicaid, housing assistance, and tax credits, with specific programs and eligibility varying by state, so contacting your state's Department of Human Services is key.
Can anyone live in a 55+ community?
Age Restrictions in 55+ Communities
In California, 100% of homes must have a resident who is 55 years or older, with a "qualified permanent resident" allowed to live with them under specific conditions, such as providing care or financial support.
Where can I retire on $2000 a month in the United States?
You can retire on $2,000 a month in the U.S. by focusing on the Midwest, South, and Texas, with affordable cities like Fort Wayne (IN), Oklahoma City (OK), El Paso (TX), Cleveland suburbs (OH), and cities in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina offering lower costs for housing, healthcare, and groceries, allowing for a good quality of life within that budget.
What state has the cheapest 55+ communities?
The cheapest states for 55+ communities are generally in the South and Midwest, with Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Georgia frequently cited for low housing, low taxes (like Mississippi exempting retirement income), and overall lower cost of living, though specific costs depend on the community's location and amenities.
Can my adult child live with me in a 55+ community?
Yes, many 55+ communities allow adult children (usually 18+) to live with a qualifying parent, often as a common exception, but rules vary significantly, so you must check the specific community's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and HOA policies before assuming it's allowed. Exceptions often exist for a spouse under 55 or an adult child providing care, but some communities have stricter occupancy limits or time restrictions for younger residents, with Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) rules allowing these exceptions.
Can I inherit my parents' house while they are alive?
With a revocable trust, the deed of the home is assigned to the trust while the owner is still alive, says Allison Dolzani, an estate-planning attorney at Julie Kessler, LLP, in New York City. “By re-recording the deed to the trust, you maintain complete control of [the home] during your lifetime.