I'm one of the few mortgage brokers in the country who's both CDLP (Certified Divorce Lending Professional) and RCS-D (Real Estate Collaboration Specialist, Divorce) trained. Which is a long way of saying: I know how divorce and mortgages actually interact, and I know how to work alongside your attorney so nothing gets missed.
Most mortgage brokers weren't trained to handle divorce situations. The tax treatment, the equity buyouts, the QDROs, the way alimony and child support count as income, all of it is different from a regular loan. Two certifications back this up:
Divorce and a house usually collide in one of these ways. If you're in one, you're not alone, and there's a path forward.
One of you wants to keep the house. That usually means a refinance that pulls enough equity to pay the other spouse their share. The math has to work with just your income now, which is where a lot of standard brokers get it wrong.
Even if the divorce decree says the house is yours, your ex is still on the loan until it's refinanced. That's a huge risk to both of you. A properly structured refi solves it.
Starting over. Alimony, child support, and the terms of the divorce decree all affect what you qualify for, and most brokers don't know the rules. I do.
You've decided to sell. I can help both spouses run the numbers on what next-home financing looks like on either side, so nobody's guessing when it's time to move.
If you're an attorney or mediator working a divorce case with real estate on the table, I'm someone you can plug into the process early. The goal isn't to sell your client a loan. The goal is to make sure the housing decisions in the settlement are actually financeable on the other side.
Tell me where you're at in the process, what the situation looks like, and what your goals are. I'll tell you what's realistic and what to think about.
Based on income, credit, and the terms being contemplated, I'll show you what you actually qualify for and what the payment looks like. This is the number your attorney needs before finalizing settlement terms.
If it's helpful, I'll get on a call with your attorney or send them a written summary of the loan analysis so nothing gets lost in translation.
When the decree is signed (or the timeline is right), I run the refi or purchase. Typical closing: 21-30 days. You get updates without having to chase me.
Yes, but with rules. You typically need a documented history (usually 6 months received) and evidence it will continue for at least 3 more years. Every loan program treats it slightly differently, which is where the CDLP training comes in.
Sooner than most people think. The waiting period depends on how the divorce is structured, not just the date of the decree. In some cases you can close on a new home before the divorce is even final. We'd run through your specifics on a call.
No. The divorce decree binds you and your ex, but it doesn't bind the lender. Until the loan is refinanced into your name only, both of you are legally on the hook if payments are missed, and both of your credit is affected. This is often the single most urgent thing to fix post-divorce.
Often yes. Pre-decree loan analysis is one of the most valuable things a CDLP does. Knowing the numbers before settlement terms are locked in prevents nasty surprises later.
No, I'm a mortgage broker with divorce-specific training. I don't give legal advice. I work alongside your attorney so that the mortgage side of the settlement actually works.
30 minutes on the phone. Free, no pressure, and confidential. If you're an attorney with a case that needs a mortgage read, I make room for that too.