Baltimore, MD asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland

Q: How can my ex husband take over the condo we bought during marriage? We are now divorced and he wants the condo now.

We are divorced, recently in fact. My name is on the loan it was easier to buy during our marriage that way. Our names are both on the deed however. I have a conventional loan through the mortgage. I believe my loan isn’t assumable?

How does it work if he wants to take over the loan? He keeps saying he has a way to take over the existing loan amount and nothing more. Apparently He doesn’t have to buy me out?

How can he refinance if he isn’t on the loan? I was told he would need to purchase the property not refinance?

2 Lawyer Answers
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
Answered
  • Potomac, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: Your best course is to require that he refinance or that you sell the property. As long as you are on the mortgage, you are responsible for the mortgage loan and it will appear on your credit report as your debt.

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
Answered
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: If you wish to remove your name from the underlying note, he must refinance. Period. "Taking over" often means he promises to make your payments, without changing the terms of the note and deed of trust. That must means you remain exposed when he misses a payment.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.