u/Ben-E-Nuff

My brother (68M)is trying to figure out how to pay off credit and medical debt (now $30K). He retired 3 years ago, and took his SS, but a medical issue is costing him Thousands in hospital co-pays.He IS still married, but he and his wife have lived in different cities but have not shared finances in decades. She still works (govt employee), but they have little contact - no help there.

He has about $300k in equity on a home solely in his name, but needed a loan mod a decade ago, so the mortgage company (PHH) put the $28K in missed payments in a 2nd mortgage. He has NO retirement savings - but wants to pay off his debt - as he can only afford minimum payments on his CCs, and the debt will never go away.

His sole income is about $4K p/mo from SS, but it is just enough to pay bills, food, and the mortgage, so no extra cash to pay down debt. He said he tried to get a HELOC, but the lender stated that the HELOC must be in 2nd place, so the 2nd mortgage loan would HAVE to be included -and paid off as a part of any HELOC loan, which means making payments on the 2nd mortgage (current rate on both loans 3.5%) @ around the current HELOC rate of ~7%. He is considering going back to work, as he has NO spare income and is just getting by - despite medical issues. I know that will just worsen his health!

How can he get a HELOC for about $60K by tapping his equity (no heirs to worry about - his kid is doing fine, but dealing w/ her own family, and can't help!) He doesn't want to refinance the home cuz his interest rate would double (3.5% to 7%), and he hoped to one day own it outright! Current mortgage payment is $2400 p/mo.

The HELOC would pay off the CCs & remaining debt, but leave him the added monthly HELOC payment. To get $60,000 cash would mean a $90,000 HELOC @ 7% or more, which he expects to pay off w/ a new job! He doesn't want a Reverse Mortgage, as he hopes to pay it off someday (weird - I know)... His credit is 720+, BTW, w no bankruptcies ever, but is just managing to pay the interest to keep his FICO in good standing! He says he is 'too old' for 'rent-paying roomates', and wants to stay alone! A Re-Fi would Double his current interest rate.

He doesn't plan to use hiss CCs EVER again, but he knows debt consolidation would ruin his prized credit score, and he DOESN'T want to file bankruptcy. He wants to use part of the money to upgrade his beater to a decent, reliable used car - paying cash! He has a nice pool, too, btw...

(The Home is worth +/- $600K, and he owes a total of $280K - including the 2nd mortgage...)

Questions:

1. Is there a way to get the HELOC - OR Home Equity loan, WITHOUT having to pay off the 2nd mortgage of $18K - at double the interest rate?

2. Are there Other options available? Hard Money/ or a different type of loan?

3. How to get the $60K WITHOUT having to include the $28K 2nd mortgage - (the interest rate would double on the 2nd mortgage part of the loan).

4. What kind of financial guru should he consult with - that WON'T Charge him for advice?

5. What is the best advice to give him? (His old company would probably hire him back - but I'd like to find a way to keep him from trying to go back to work!)

ALL IDEAS ARE WELCOME! THANKS! Feel free to DM me for a discussion, as i want to give him the best advice! Any other financial vehicles that work here?

EDIT: The house is worth +/- $600. The remaining 2 mortgages total $280. Does that change the equation?

I have just invented 'The Greatest Invention since Sliced Bread' (in my head!) I need to know if such an invention Exists Already. What is the best tool available for USPTO Utility Patent Searching? (Including AI - although one cannot simply Ask Claude to download the Patent database as subject search material! sigh...

I would Love to find a Retired or low-cost Patent Search Expert - willing to invest the time and effort for a % of the final profits! Barring that, is AI up to the task yet?

I consider this Step One, as there is no profit in 'inventing something' that already exists (Sliced bread has been around a long time!) Is there an 'Association of Ex Patent Searchers' that can be queried? And how strong is an NDA when the new rule of 'First to File' changed the process? (Prior dated notes don't matter anymore!) So what's to keep the concept from being stolen ? Same concerns getting professional Claims help - or even CAD drawings acceptable to USPTO?

Another option is a Co-Inter or Entrepreneur willing to invest in seeing the concept to fruition as a Provisional Patent- including prototypes? There would have to be enough valid claims to protect the invention - and they would have to be broad enough to encompass potential protections to prevent Idea Theft. (I am working on an extremely limited budget here!)

How do I get this concept into reality and watch it soar - without it being stolen? My worst fear is to see it in a Commercial or worse - in practice and on some store shelf?

tl/dr: Need a strong Provisional Patent AFTER a Strong and thorough Patent Search... Develop a killer Prototype... Then decide to manufacture or License the product?

What is the going rate (upfront) for an experienced Searcher to determine the existence of Prior Art for a Utility Patent?

Thx for any valuable advice...

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