Can you just remove someone from a mortgage?

Asked by: Mya Lang  |  Last update: September 16, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (7 votes)

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 remove someone from my mortgage without refinancing?

No, you cannot remove someone from the mortgage without refinancing.

How much does it cost to remove someone from a mortgage?

Yes, removing a name from a mortgage typically incurs costs. Refinancing usually requires closing costs of 2-5% of the loan balance, while a loan assumption may cost around 1% plus processing fees. Loan modification costs vary by lender.

What happens if two people are on a mortgage and one dies?

If the mortgage had a co-signer, the surviving borrower must continue making payments. If the house has been bequeathed to a beneficiary, they must continue making payments or sell the house.

Can you take over someone's mortgage without refinancing?

No, you can not add anyone to a mortgage without refinancing. Exactly why do you want to burden your new wife with a mortgage?

How do I remove someone from a mortgage loan? | Ricardo Mendiola, Dallas Realtor & Credit Expert

18 related questions found

Is it possible to transfer a mortgage to another person?

You'll typically only be able to transfer your mortgage if your mortgage is assumable, and most conventional loans aren't. Some exceptions, such as the death of a borrower, may allow for the assumption of a conventional loan. If you don't have an assumable mortgage, refinancing may be a possible option to pursue.

How to get out of a joint mortgage?

How can I take my name off a joint mortgage?
  1. Ask them to buy you out.
  2. Consider selling the property and splitting any equity.
  3. Ask if they'd like to take over the mortgage.
  4. See if they'd like you to sell their share to a third party.

What happens if my wife dies and I'm not on the mortgage?

If your surviving spouse isn't on the mortgage, federal law provides protections allowing them to assume the mortgage and keep the home. This is assuming they (and not someone else) inherit the property. The surviving spouse must also be able to afford the mortgage payments to assume the mortgage.

How long do you have to clear a house after someone dies?

There is no set time for when a house needs to be cleared. It is the responsibility of the deceased's family to ensure all items are removed from the property. Once this is done, the house can be sold, with the proceeds then being distributed to all designated heirs.

What happens if your husband dies and your name isn't on the house?

In many cases, the spouse can inherit your house even if their name was not on the deed. This is because of how the probate process works. When someone dies intestate, their surviving spouse is the first one who gets a chance to file a petition with the court that would initiate administration of the estate.

How easy is it to remove someone from a mortgage?

Is it easy to remove a name from a mortgage? Yes, but only if those named on the mortgage agree to the proposed change in ownership structure. This ensures that the legal and financial responsibilities associated with the mortgage are realigned in accordance with the revised ownership arrangement.

How do I remove someone from a home deed?

If the person to be removed is alive, then you will need a court order or their cooperation such that you can record a new deed that removes them. Quitclaim and warranty deeds are common solutions. If an owner of a property has passed away, you will need to transfer the property to the living owners.

How to keep a house in divorce without refinancing?

If you want to keep the house and don't have enough equity to do a cash-out refinance or the money to pay your ex their share, the solution might be a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or home equity loan.

What happens if I can't refinance after divorce?

Legal Remedies When Refinancing Isn't Feasible

If the spouse who wishes to keep the home cannot successfully refinance it after the divorce, several legal remedies and options may come into play: Sell the Home: One option is to sell the marital home and divide the proceeds as agreed upon in the divorce settlement.

Can you sell a house if you are on the deed but not the mortgage?

Selling a property with your name on the deed but not on the mortgage creates added levels of complexity and requires more collaboration with third parties. However, you can achieve a successful sale with careful planning and the right support.

Can I sue my ex for not paying the mortgage?

You can take legal action against them for breaching the agreement you both made or seek a court order to force the sale of the property. It's important to consult with a lawyer to understand your legal rights and options and to make the best decisions for your situation.

How long can you keep a house in a deceased person's name?

If the property needs to go through the probate court process, the house can stay in a decedent's name until the probate process has been completed and ownership of the property has been transferred.

What not to do when someone dies?

What Not to Do When Someone Dies: 10 Common Mistakes
  1. Not Obtaining Multiple Copies of the Death Certificate.
  2. 2- Delaying Notification of Death.
  3. 3- Not Knowing About a Preplan for Funeral Expenses.
  4. 4- Not Understanding the Crucial Role a Funeral Director Plays.
  5. 5- Letting Others Pressure You Into Bad Decisions.

What happens to a house payment when someone dies?

What Happens to Your Mortgage When You Die? If you die owing money on a mortgage, the mortgage remains in force. If you have a co-signer, the co-signer may still be obligated to pay back the loan. A spouse or other family member who inherits a house generally has the right to take over the payments and keep the home.

How long can a mortgage stay in a deceased person's name?

No, a mortgage can't remain under a deceased person's name. When the borrower passes away, the loan won't disappear. Instead, it needs to be paid. After the borrower passes, the responsibility for the mortgage payments immediately falls on the borrower's estate or heirs.

What are my rights if my name is not on a deed but married?

For a community property in California, it depends upon when and how their spouse acquired the property. The law asserts that all property purchased during the marriage, with income that was earned during the marriage, is community property.

Do I have to pay my wife's debt if she dies?

When a partner dies, a surviving spouse often asks, “Am I responsible for my spouse's debt?” In most cases, the answer is “No — you are not responsible for the debt of a deceased spouse.” However, there are exceptions, and your deceased spouse's estate likely is responsible for paying those debts.

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

Obtain lender approval

If your lender wants to, they have the power to remove someone's name from the mortgage without needing to refinance.

What happens if you split up with someone you have a mortgage with?

Separating might mean you're no longer romantically linked with your partner, but if there's a joint mortgage with both your names on it then you're still financially linked. Fail to keep up with repayments of a joint mortgage, and there could be serious knock-on effects for both of you.

How much does it cost to remove a name from a deed?

The price to eliminate names from deeds is contingent on many factors like where you live, the legal fees, and the difficulty of the procedure. Generally, it could vary from one hundred to a few thousand dollars. If both parties agree on the removal and there are no legal complications, the cost might be lower.