Does it matter whose name is on the mortgage in a divorce?

Well, it's kind of a trick question because it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter whose name is on the deed or whose name is on the mortgage. Nine times out of 10 what matters is when the house was purchased and with what type of funds it was purchased.


What happens if wife is not on mortgage in divorce?

What Happens If Your Spouse Is Not On the Mortgage. If your spouse is not on the mortgage, they are not responsible for paying it. However, the mortgage lender can foreclose on the house if the mortgage is not paid.

Does it matter who paid the mortgage in a divorce?

Everything that you and your spouse purchase and/or acquire over the course of your marriage is marital property – regardless of who makes the purchase, whose name is on the deed, or who makes the payments. The very few exceptions to this rule include: Inheritances made in one spouse's name alone.


How is a mortgage split in a divorce?

There are three main ways to handle the home:
  1. Sell the house and split the proceeds.
  2. One ex-spouse keeps the home and refinances the mortgage to remove the other from the loan.
  3. Both former spouses keep the house temporarily.


How does a divorce affect a joint mortgage?

When a divorce occurs, regardless of what the divorce decree says, both spouses remain legally responsible for paying the creditor if both names are on the loan. That means even if you -- and the court -- agree that your ex should take over mortgage payments, the creditor could come after you to collect.


What Happens When the House is Only in One Name in Divorce?



Can you remove someone's name from a mortgage without refinancing?

Removing a cosigner or co-borrower from a mortgage almost always requires paying off the loan in full or refinancing by getting a new loan in your own name. Under rare circumstances, though, the lender may allow you to take over an existing mortgage from your other signer.

Can I force my ex to take my name off the mortgage?

If your ex-spouse's name is on the mortgage, her name will remain there until the loan gets paid off or if your lender is willing to release her name from the mortgage. Usually the easiest way to get a person off the mortgage is to refinance the mortgage.

Is a house split 50/50 in a divorce?

No, this is a common misconception. It is not a rule that matrimonial assets be split 50/50 on divorce; however, it is generally a starting point. The court's aim is to divide assets in a way that is fair and equal, but this does not necessarily mean half and half.


Can one person assume a mortgage in a divorce?

There are several ways to retain your home and free your ex-spouse from the existing mortgage. One of the most popular ways is loan assumption. Loan assumption is when you take over full responsibility of the mortgage loan. This removes your spouse's name from the loan, leaving you as the sole remaining borrower.

Who gets to claim mortgage interest in divorce?

If the house is owned jointly after a divorce, and both former spouses are still paying the mortgage interest, then the deduction can still be split equally. If the house is in the name of only one ex-spouse, then only that individual has the right to claim the deduction.

What happens to a mortgaged house when you divorce?

If you divorce and both your names are on the mortgage of your home, you and your ex-spouse must both continue making mortgage repayments until you reach a financial settlement.


How hard is it to assume a mortgage after divorce?

However, your mortgage agreement also has to allow for it. Very few loans are able to be assumed after a divorce. While it is difficult to get an assumable loan, if you do happen to have one, it makes the process of keeping your home much easier. It is one less thing you have to worry about during this stressful time.

How do I get my name off a joint mortgage after divorce?

“In almost all cases, the only way to get a spouse off a mortgage is to refinance them off of the mortgage,” says Becker. “If, for some reason, the spouse keeping the house is the only one on the current mortgage, then a quitclaim deed could be executed to get the exiting spouse off of the title to the property.”

What does it mean if your name is on the deed but not the mortgage?

They are on the deed, and thus have legal title rights to the property. They are not on the mortgage, however, and are technically not liable for paying the mortgage. This is a unique but all too uncommon circumstance, and seeking legal advice regarding financial protections is not a bad idea.


Is it better to be on the mortgage or the deed?

If your name is on the deed but not on the mortgage, your position is actually advantageous. The names on the deed of a house, not the mortgage, indicate ownership. It's the deed that passes real estate ownership from one entity to another.

Do I have any rights if my name is not on the mortgage?

If you are married/in a civil partnership and are not on the mortgage, you can apply for a Matrimonial Homes Rights Notice. This will give you some occupation rights but will not provide you with any ownership rights.

What if spouse is not on mortgage?

There is no law that says both spouses need to be listed on a mortgage. If your spouse isn't a co-borrower on your mortgage application, then your lender generally won't include their details when qualifying you for a loan. Depending on your spouse's situation, this could be a good thing or a bad thing.


Can I take my husband off the mortgage?

If you want to remove someone from your mortgage and replace them with someone else – a family member, friend or a new partner – you can do this with a transfer of equity. A transfer of equity is when you transfer a joint mortgage to one of the owners, or to a new person.

Can you remove spouse from mortgage after divorce?

As mentioned above, a refinance is one way to remove someone's name from the mortgage. This protects the spouse who no longer has ownership interest in the home. And it can be an important step if that spouse plans to purchase a house after the divorce and take on a new mortgage.

What a woman should ask for in a divorce settlement?

What Should I Ask for in a Divorce Settlement?
  • Your Marital Home. Think about what you want from your marital home. ...
  • A Fair Share of Assets. ...
  • Retirement and Investment Accounts. ...
  • Fair Debt Division. ...
  • Parenting Time. ...
  • Child Support and Alimony. ...
  • Your Child's Future Needs. ...
  • Take the First Step with Coumanis & York.


Who pays the bills after separation?

During separation, who pays the bills? As a general rule, household bills should be paid in exactly the same way for the period between separation and divorce, as they were during the course of the marriage. This applies to all the usual types of household expenditure, including: Mortgage/rent payments.

What is considered a long marriage in divorce?

As it stands, there is no conclusive legal definition of what constitutes a long marriage. While a marriage lasting 20 years is likely to be considered a long marriage, a marriage of 10-15 years could also be classed as one depending on the relationship before the marriage occurred.

How much does it cost to take someone off a mortgage?

Does it cost to remove a name from a mortgage? Yes. Refinancing to remove a name requires closing costs which typically range from 2% to 5% of the loan balance. A loan assumption usually requires a fee of about 1% of the loan amount plus processing fees.


How long does it take to take someone's name off a mortgage?

The process can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks, if all parties agree and are ready to go. If you are declined for whatever reason, there's a whole range of other lenders that may consider you.

How easy is it to remove someone from a mortgage?

Removing a name from a mortgage is a very similar process to remortgaging. You'll need to let your existing mortgage lender know the changes you're planning so that they can carry out calculations, ensuring you can afford to meet their lender criteria and monthly payments.