Keys To Your Next Chapter

Description

Mortgage Planning During Divorce – A Brief Overview
This guide helps you navigate the big housing decisions that arise before, during, and after divorce. It starts with a clear snapshot of your finances-current loan terms, equity, credit, income, debts, and full monthly costs-so you can choose among three paths:
1. Keep the home via refinance or (when eligible) loan assumption-how to remove a spouse from both title and mortgage liability, structure a buyout, and meet cash-out and equity rules.
2. Sell the home-Plan ahead, work with temporary orders, think about custody issues, and be aware of market realities.
3. Purchase a new home-Find out how to become pre-approved, down-payment sources, and how support received/paid affects qualifying.
You’ll see what lenders look for (DTI, credit, reserves) and how alimony/child support is documented (history and continuance). The guide flags common pitfalls: assuming a quitclaim removes mortgage liability, relying solely on online value estimates, or locking a rate before legal timelines are set.

How a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) helps
A CDLP® acts as your mortgage strategist and coordinates with your attorney/mediator, real estate agent, tax professional, and financial planner so the settlement language aligns with lending rules and your long-term plan. Specifically, a CDLP® can:
1. Pre-underwrite keep/sell/buy scenarios so your decree includes lender- compliant clauses (refinance-by dates, liability transfer, buyout terms).
2. Model affordability and tax implications with your CPA/CFP® (equity distribution vs. cash-out, timing of support).
3. Surface title, lien, and valuation issues early and guide appraisal strategy.
4. Document support income or obligations properly to avoid underwriting surprises.
5 Build a clean paper trail to shorten timelines and reduce conditions.

Checklists and sample clauses keep documents, deadlines, and responsibilities organized. The through-line is clarity, coordination, and sustainability, so your housingchoice supports post-divorce stability and your financial future.

Back Cover:

Divorce is hard. Your mortgage shouldn’t make it harder. Charisse Excell, CDLP® (Certified Divorce Lending Professional), turns mortgage confusion into a clear plan. She partners with your attorney, financial advisor, and real-estate professional to align lending strategy with your settlement—so you keep options, protect equity, and step into your next chapter on solid ground.