Divorce home equity
Understand divorce equity options
One spouse keeping the marital home is a three-part question: what the court allocated, what title and the note show, and what financing makes the buyout possible. This funnel walks those parts in order with tools that use only numbers you enter.
Removing a person's name from a home title does not, by itself, remove that person's name or responsibility from the mortgage.
Primary source · Verified 2026-09-24
Numbered divorce equity process
- Organize records — separate decree, deed, and note.
- Run buyout arithmetic with entered value, mortgage, and share.
- Read buyout mechanics — appraisal, share, and financing together.
- Screen DTI with payments and thresholds you enter.
- When ready for financing, start pre-approval with your calculator link handy — your numbers do not transfer automatically.
Tools and guides in this funnel
Frequently asked questions
- How is a buyout amount calculated?
- In the house buyout calculator, subtract entered mortgage balance from home value to get net equity, then apply the ownership share from your agreement to positive equity. Estimated new loan needed adds mortgage balance, buyout amount, and entered closing costs. Use the house buyout calculator with your numbers.
- Can I keep the house if my name is not on the loan?
- Title and note are separate. Keeping the house usually requires either lender approval to assume or refinance, or another plan that satisfies the servicer. Bring documents to an attorney.
- What if neither spouse wants the house?
- Selling may be the path. Use the equity transition calculator to compare entered liens, sale costs, and proceeds for that option.