Can I assume a mortgage on a home that my ex is trying to short sell?
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Can I assume a mortgage on a home that my ex is trying to short sell?
The property was not discussed during the divorce. My ex removed my name from the title and added
her father. Now she can no longer afford the mortgage and needs my signature and financial information for short sale of the home. Do I help her short sale or can I assume the mortgage and property? Who is responsible for the balance from the short sale?
Asked on May 23, 2017 under Real Estate Law, Maryland
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
You can only assume the mortgage if the lender's approval or consent. (At least that's the usual case: almost all commercial mortgages contain a clause or provision in them that there is no assumption at all--though the lender could still consent to it, since any agreement may be changed by mutual consent--or more straightforwardly, no assumption without written consent from the lender, which could be given without requiring an amendment to the agreement.) So it is possible you could do this, but not a given: you need to ask and get the lender's consent.
Anyone currently on the mortgage would be responsible for any deficiencies in the shortsale.
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