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Divorce, separation and your home

Helping you unlock your options as a homeowner.

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How divorce or separation can affect your home

Separating from a partner can be a huge life change. It can impact your finances and mean you have to move. But there options such as downsizing, changing your mortgage and looking into joint liability.

Use our quick checklist

Joint liability on your mortgage

You have ‘joint and several liability' if:

  • You have any joint debts with your ex-partner
  • Your mortgage is in both your names
  • Your secured loan is in both your names

This means you need to pay what is owed if your partner cannot.

Find out about this as soon as possible.

Apply for a ‘notice of disassociation’

This will:

  • Stop your ex-partner's debts appearing on your credit file
  • Protect your credit rating

Credit reference agencies like Experian or Equifax can help you.

If you or your partner have debts, it can affect you and your home.

Read our guide to debt and your home.

Maryam on Feefo says:

"I would would recommend StepChange to anyone."

"I always find every one very friendly and understanding and also because of my situation with how my husband is towards me, I have always found every one so very helpful... I thank you again for all your kindness and understanding."

Get help like Maryam

Work out a budget

Making a realistic budget is an important first step.

Mortgage lenders need to see what you can afford. Read more about making a budget.

Deciding what to do with your property

Here are some options:

Selling the property

You may agree that selling is the best option if you are co-owners.

This could:

  • Offer you a fresh start
  • Free up some equity
  • Help you pay off debts

Remortgaging to buy your former partner out

You could agree to buy the other person out if you want to stay in the home.

You would need to:

  • Re-mortgage the property
  • Make it in one name only

Read our guide to remortgaging

Downsizing

You may want to consider moving somewhere smaller.

This may:

  • Reduce your living costs
  • Give you some extra money
  • Reduce your mortgage payments

Taking legal advice

Talk to a legal and financial professional before:

  • Making any decisions
  • Taking any action

You may want to look at our list of further legal support resources.

Seeking help for debts

Getting free of debt will:

  • Make mortgage payments easier
  • Take some pressure off
  • Let you focus on the future

We can help.

Get free and confidential debt advice online now.

We will:

  • Build a budget with you
  • Recommend the best way to deal with your debts
  • Tell you about other organisations that can help

Always get advice from an expert financial and legal advisor before taking action.

Debt happens. We deal with it.

We have helped millions of people since 1993.

Find out how.

"Life savers!"

"You helped me out so much when I was going though my divorce. Thank you StepChange. A lot of stress and worry went away."

Beverley, Feefo Review

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