Mortgages for Divorcees

It is possible to take over the mortgage in just your name after separating from a partner, but it depends on whether the lender feels you can manage the repayments on your own.

They’ll carry out a full affordability check, looking at your income, regular outgoings, credit score, and any financial responsibilities like child maintenance or personal loans.

If you’re applying to take full responsibility for the mortgage, this is known as a transfer of equity. Your lender will want to be confident that you can maintain the payments without falling into arrears.

If you’re not earning enough, they might not agree to the transfer, even if you’ve always made payments reliably in the past.

This process can feel a bit stressful when you’re already dealing with everything else that comes with a separation. Our mortgage advisors are here to take the pressure off.

We’ll look at what’s realistically achievable based on your current circumstances and talk to lenders on your behalf, helping you stay in your home if that’s the direction you want to go in.

Equity is the difference between what your home is worth and how much you still owe on your mortgage. When a couple decides to separate or divorce, the equity in the property is often one of the biggest assets to deal with.

It can be shared evenly, or it might be split in a different way depending on what’s agreed or what a court decides if things can’t be settled informally.

A common option is for one person to buy out the other’s share, which is usually done by remortgaging. This means increasing the mortgage amount to release the funds needed to pay your ex-partner their portion of the equity.

Alternatively, you might decide to sell the property and split the proceeds once the mortgage is paid off.

Every situation is different, and the way equity is divided can also take into account things like children, how much each person has contributed, or what you both agree is fair.

While we don’t deal with the legal side, we can explain what your mortgage options are and help you take the next steps once a decision has been made.

Selling the home might seem like the obvious option when you separate, but it isn’t the only route available.

For some, a clean break and moving to new places suits everyone involved. For others, especially if children are living in the home, one partner may want to stay and take on the mortgage alone.

It’s possible to transfer the mortgage into one name and release funds to the other person if needed. This usually involves remortgaging and passing affordability checks.

Another approach is to keep the property in both names for a set period, with one person living there and paying the mortgage, often referred to as a deferred sale or Mesher-style arrangement.

Whether you’re planning to sell, stay, or share ownership for a bit longer, we can help you explore what’s financially realistic.

Our mortgage advisors will work with you to understand your plans and speak to lenders on your behalf to find a solution that works.

Yes, buying out your ex-partner is a common solution for people who want to remain in the family home after a separation.

This usually involves remortgaging to raise enough money to cover their share of the equity, while also taking over the mortgage in your own name.

To make this happen, you’ll need to meet your lender’s affordability criteria on a single income.

They’ll look at everything from your salary and credit history to your regular expenses and any financial support you receive or pay.

The process is called a transfer of equity and may require a solicitor to handle the legal work.

It’s a big step, but one that can bring peace of mind and a sense of stability at a time when everything else feels up in the air.

We’ll help you work out how much you might be able to borrow and support you in securing a mortgage deal that gives you the fresh start you need.

Your credit score won’t change just because you’ve gone through a divorce, but the financial decisions that come with it can have an impact.

If you’re still on a joint mortgage or have other shared financial products with your ex-partner, their financial behaviour could continue to affect your credit file until those ties are officially removed.

Missed or late mortgage payments during a separation can also lower your credit score, even if they weren’t your fault.

That’s why it’s important to get clear on who’s responsible for payments and keep communication open wherever possible. You might want to consider removing your ex-partner as a financial associate from your credit file once everything is separated.

Our team can help you understand how mortgage changes may affect your credit profile and give you practical steps to manage your finances as you move forward.

Whether it’s preparing to remortgage or applying for something new, we’re here to help you protect your future borrowing potential.

When you’re going through a divorce, one of the biggest financial shifts is how your income and outgoings are looked at by mortgage lenders.

If you’re applying for a mortgage on your own, lenders will now assess your affordability based solely on your individual income and circumstances, rather than what was previously considered as a joint application.

This means they’ll take into account your salary, any child or spousal maintenance received or paid, living costs, and other financial commitments.

Your credit score and existing debts will also play a part in what you’re eligible to borrow. If your income has dropped or your expenses have increased post-separation, you might find that your borrowing power is lower than it was previously.

It’s not all bad news, though. Some lenders are more flexible than others and may accept additional sources of income such as benefits or maintenance, especially when there’s a clear, ongoing arrangement in place.

We work with a wide panel of lenders and understand how each one works. This allows us to find a mortgage that suits where you are right now and what you’re hoping to achieve.

Yes, it’s possible to keep owning a property together even after you’ve separated or divorced.

Some couples decide to do this to maintain stability for any children or because it isn’t financially viable to sell or buy each other out straight away.

In some cases, one person stays living in the property while the other moves out, but both remain on the mortgage. This arrangement is sometimes agreed through what’s known as a Mesher order.

This is where the property isn’t sold until a specific event occurs, like the youngest child turning 18. Alternatively, it can just be a practical decision made between two people who want to avoid a forced sale while things are still being worked out.

Co-owning after divorce can work, but it’s important to be clear on who is responsible for mortgage payments, household costs, and what happens if one person wants to sell later down the line.

If this is something you’re considering, we can talk you through how lenders view this kind of arrangement and what options are available if your plans change in the future.

Remortgaging during a divorce can help you separate your finances and move on with a clean break.

It’s often used when one person wants to buy out the other’s share of the property, or when a new deal is needed to reflect a single income rather than a joint one.

The process itself is similar to any other remortgage. You’ll need to apply based on your current affordability, and the lender will carry out a fresh assessment of your income, outgoings, and credit history.

If approved, you may be able to borrow enough to repay the existing mortgage, release equity, or just secure a more suitable deal for your new circumstances.

Timing can be important, especially if the divorce settlement hasn’t been finalised yet. Some lenders will want to see official documentation, while others may work with a draft agreement.

We’re experienced in handling these kinds of cases and know how to structure the application to keep things moving, even when the legal side is still ongoing.

Yes, many single parents go on to get a mortgage after divorce, whether they’re buying a new home or staying in the one they shared previously.

While it may feel daunting doing it on one income, it’s absolutely possible with the right approach and support.

Lenders will assess your income, including salary and any regular maintenance payments, child benefit, or universal credit you might receive.

Not all lenders treat this income in the same way, so working with a mortgage advisor can really help you find one that recognises your full financial picture.

It’s also worth noting that your monthly outgoings and any childcare costs will factor into how much you can borrow.

Remember, just because your circumstances have changed, it doesn’t mean your options are limited.

We regularly help single parents secure a mortgage that works for them and their family, and we’ll be there every step of the way to make it feel more manageable.

A transfer of equity is when someone is added to or removed from the ownership of a property, and it’s a common step during or after a divorce.

In most cases, it involves one partner taking over the home and removing the other from both the mortgage and the title deeds.

This process can only happen with the lender’s approval, and they’ll want to be sure that the person remaining on the mortgage can afford it alone.

If the person staying in the property needs to raise funds to buy out the other’s share, they might remortgage at the same time, combining both processes in one.

A solicitor is usually needed to deal with the legal paperwork, and there may be fees involved for both the remortgage and the transfer itself.

We’ll help you understand how this all works, deal with the lender side of things, and make sure the transition is handled clearly and calmly from start to finish.

Yes, you can apply for a mortgage before your divorce is officially finalised, but it does come with a few extra steps and things to think about.

Most lenders will want to understand your financial position in full, and if you’re still legally tied to a joint mortgage or other commitments with your ex-partner, that can affect what you’re eligible to borrow.

It’s common for lenders to ask for a draft or agreed separation plan to show how assets, debts, and responsibilities are being divided.

If there’s any maintenance being paid or received, that will also need to be factored into the affordability checks. Without this clarity, some lenders may be reluctant to move forward or might offer a smaller loan than expected.

That said, not all lenders take the same view. Some are more flexible and open to considering applications while the divorce is still ongoing, especially if there’s a clear plan in place.

We can help you navigate this process by matching you with a lender who understands your situation and guiding you through what’s needed to get things moving without unnecessary delays.

If neither you nor your ex-partner can afford the mortgage on your own after separating, it can put you both in a difficult spot.

Lenders expect the mortgage to be paid as agreed, regardless of any personal changes, and both of you remain equally responsible if your names are still on the agreement.

Missing payments can quickly lead to arrears, damage your credit scores, and potentially result in repossession if things aren’t resolved.

That’s why it’s important to act quickly and speak to your lender or a mortgage broker as soon as it looks like payments may become a struggle.

There are a few ways forward depending on the situation. Selling the property might be the most practical option if keeping it isn’t financially possible.

Alternatively, you might be able to switch to a more affordable mortgage deal, extend the term to lower the monthly payments, or explore support from lenders who offer temporary relief schemes.

We understand how stressful this can be and we’re here to help you explore your options calmly and clearly. The aim is always to find a solution that helps protect your home and gives you the breathing space to move forward without unnecessary pressure.