Or, she could've had custody of a grandkid.I told her that there was an elemetrary school not far away.

If he was going through a divorce, his ex could have accused him of something to get custody of the kids. 

Only two times I rented to new divorcees (single mom/ dad with custody of teenage children).

Here are some factors to help you make an informed decision:SDIRA vs. e-QRP:SDIRA (Self-Directed Individual Retirement Account):Allows for a broader range of investment options, including real estate.Provides more control over investment decisions.Requires custodial services, and there may be fees associated with the SDIRA provider.Strict rules and regulations to ensure compliance with IRS guidelines.e-QRP (Enhanced Qualified Retirement Plan):Similar to a 401(k) but with enhanced features for greater flexibility.Generally, more streamlined than SDIRA with fewer administrative requirements.Allows for real estate investments, business investments, and more.May offer more control and fewer restrictions compared to SDIRA.Financing Considerations:Both SDIRA and e-QRP can be used for financing, but the terms and conditions may differ.Check with your chosen custodian or plan administrator to understand the borrowing rules and any potential penalties.Tax Implications:Understand the tax implications of using retirement funds for real estate investments.Consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance and to minimize any adverse tax consequences.Market Conditions:Consider the current real estate market conditions in the location where you plan to buy the beach house.Evaluate potential risks and rewards, especially in the context of your investment horizon.Long-Term Strategy:Since you're planning to work for another five years and potentially sell the house later, ensure that your investment aligns with your long-term financial goals.Interest Rates and Economic Conditions:Monitor interest rates and economic conditions, as they can impact the timing and profitability of your real estate investment.Professional Advice:Consult with financial advisors, tax professionals, and legal experts to get personalized advice based on your specific financial situation and goals.Due Diligence:Perform thorough due diligence on the property, renovation costs, potential rental income, and local market trends.Remember that real estate investments, especially with retirement funds, require careful planning and adherence to regulations.

@Emily RefiThe two common choices for investing retirement funds into real estate are the self-directed IRA and the Solo 401k.The Solo 401k requires self-employment activity, but will allow you to take participant loans while the IRA does not.A few other Solo 401k benefits: Compared to an IRA, Solo 401k contributions limits are roughly ten times higher.There is no custodial requirement for the 401k.You don't need the additional expense and administration of an LLC to have checkbook control.There is a built in-Roth component whereas IRAs are either traditional or Roth, not both.A spouse can also participate in the same Solo 401k plan.The Solo 401k has additional tax benefits over an IRA when investing into real estate using leverage.The penalties for prohibited transactions are less severe, though it's best not to utilize this benefit :)With either structure, it's generally recommended that you do not commingle retirement and non-retirement assets.

I was thinking of just putting a deadbolt lock on the door and keeping custody of the key.

Your Chase, Mellon, Citi, are about to start offering custody, and loans on your crypto will follow. 

Simply google "divorce statistics" and "divorce child custody men" to maybe understand where some men might be coming from.

Now that I am a single father with joint custody to my 2 children I have been bit by the REI bug really bad.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure where to turn for this specific kind of incident.If I wanted a divorce/custody lawyer I'd have been done with my search in 5 minutes.