California divorce mortgage specialist
Keep the house, or start fresh. I'll make the mortgage part work.
I help Californians refinance to buy out a spouse, remove an ex from the loan, and buy a new home after divorce. 26 years in the business, fully underwritten approvals, and I work alongside your attorney.
Spousal Buyout Worksheet
EXAMPLE NUMBERS · EDIT ANY FIELDEstimate only. Taxes, insurance and HOA are not included. Your actual rate depends on credit, loan amount and program. The example rate is not a quote.
How I help
Three situations I handle every week
Keep the house
Refinance into your name, pay your spouse their share of the equity, and take the old joint loan off both credit reports.
Spousal buyout refinance →Buy your next home
Use your settlement funds and support income to qualify, and leave out debts your judgment assigns to your ex.
Buying after divorce →Get off the old loan
Leaving the house? Make sure your name actually comes off the mortgage, not just the title, so you can qualify for your next place.
Removing a name from a loan →Timing matters
Bring a lender in before the agreement is signed
The most expensive mistake I see is a settlement that promises a buyout the spouse keeping the house can't qualify for. Here's how I fit into the case.
Know what you can afford
I run a full qualification so the buyout figure, support terms and debt split in your agreement are numbers that will close.
Write it so it works
Lenders read the judgment closely. I flag wording that helps or hurts, like how support is described and who is responsible for which debts.
Close the loan
Refinance, pay the buyout, and get both names straightened out. Or buy your next home with a fully underwritten approval in hand.
About Christian
26 years of making hard files close
I'm Christian Alvarez, a mortgage consultant based in San Diego and licensed across California. Divorce files are some of the most detailed loans there are: support income, settlement timing, debts that belong to someone else, title that has to match the judgment. That's the work I like doing.
My approvals are fully underwritten up front, so when you make a decision about the house you're working with real numbers. Hablo español, and I'm available nights and weekends.
Divorce is hard enough. The house shouldn't be the part that keeps you up at night.
Questions people ask me
Divorce and your mortgage
Can I keep the house in a California divorce?
Often, yes. If you can qualify for a new loan on your own income, you can refinance the house into your name and pay your spouse their share of the equity. The key is getting a lender review early, before the settlement is signed, so the numbers in the agreement are numbers you can actually close on.
How do I buy out my spouse's share of the house?
You refinance the current mortgage into a new loan in your name only. The new loan pays off the old one and pays your spouse the buyout amount set in your marital settlement agreement. Some programs treat a buyout under a settlement agreement more favorably than a standard cash out refinance, which can help with rate and qualifying.
Can spousal support or child support count as income?
Yes, in many cases. Lenders usually want to see the support ordered in writing, a history of receiving it, and proof it will continue for at least three years. I look at your judgment or agreement with you so we know exactly what will count.
Can I buy a new home while my divorce is still in progress?
It is possible, but it takes planning. Most lenders need to see a signed settlement or a clear picture of your obligations. Talk with me and your attorney before you write an offer so nothing in the case surprises an underwriter later.
Will my ex's debts or the old mortgage hurt my approval?
If your judgment assigns a debt to your ex, many programs can leave that payment out of your ratios with the right paperwork. The old joint mortgage can also be handled. This is one of the most common things I solve for clients.
Do you work with my divorce attorney or mediator?
Yes. With your permission I can review the property and support terms with your attorney, mediator or financial planner so the agreement lines up with what a lender will approve.