How to Remove Someone from a Mortgage Without Refinancing

Suppose life should give you a curve ball. You have purchased a house with somebody, perhaps a spouse, partner, family member, however, things are changing. Perhaps it is because you are separating or one of you would like to get out of the financial commitment. The refinancing option is not always the most convenient. Perhaps your credit is not as good as it should be or before you know it you have extra expenses to handle. Now, the burning question is, is it possible to take someone off a mortgage without refinance?

Yes, that can be done, but it is not as easy as striking out a name. It will have to be approved by the lender, and most often will require that you qualify through other methods, such as loan assumption, or legal considerations. We are going to break it all down, and you will know how to proceed step-by-step.

Why Refinancing Isn't Always the Best Move

Let’s be real. Refinancing is a hassle. Between closing costs (which can run anywhere from 2% to 6% of the loan), credit checks, income verification, and property appraisals, it’s like applying for the loan all over again. If you're not in a position to refinance or just want to avoid the expense, it makes sense to explore other paths.

Option 1: Loan Assumption

This is probably your best bet if you're trying to avoid refinancing. Loan assumption means one party agrees to take full responsibility for the mortgage. Here's how it works:

• You must get the lender's approval. Not all loans are assumable, so you’ll need to check the original loan agreement.

• The remaining borrower has to qualify on their own. That means they need solid income, a good debt-to-income ratio, and decent credit.

• The departing borrower is released from liability. Once approved, their name is officially removed from the loan, and they’re off the hook.

When it makes sense:

• One party wants full ownership and is financially stable.

• You’re trying to avoid triggering early payoff penalties or closing costs.

Option 2: Legal Judgments or Divorce Decree

If the split is the result of a divorce or legal separation, a court order may assign responsibility for the mortgage to one party. But here’s the catch: lenders aren’t bound by divorce decrees.

So even if the court says your ex has to pay the mortgage, you’re both still liable unless the lender officially removes your name from the loan.

To make it stick:

• Follow up the court order with a loan assumption.

• Or go through legal channels to enforce payment responsibility, though it won’t erase your name from the mortgage.

Option 3: Mortgage Novation (Rare but Possible)

Novation is like loan assumption's older, more official cousin. It completely replaces the original mortgage agreement with a new one, leaving just one borrower.

• It must be agreed upon by all parties and the lender.

• The lender writes up a new agreement with only the remaining borrower.

• The original borrower is released from all obligations.

Why it’s rare:

Most lenders prefer refinancing or traditional assumption over novation. It requires more paperwork and underwriting.

Option 4: Selling the Home

If neither party can qualify solo and the lender won’t approve an assumption, sometimes the cleanest route is to sell the property, pay off the loan, and split the proceeds.

Yes, it’s a big move. But if both names are stuck on the loan and tensions are high, it may be your best option for peace of mind.

A Word About the Deed: It’s Not the Same as the Mortgage

Quick clarification: the deed shows who owns the property. The mortgage shows who owes the money. You can remove someone from the deed by filing a quitclaim deed with their signature, but that doesn’t take them off the mortgage.

So don’t be fooled: updating the deed is not the same as removing them from the loan.

Can You Remove Someone from the Deed Without Their Knowledge?

Short answer? No.

Both parties must agree and sign off on changes to ownership. So if you're trying to remove someone from the deed without their cooperation, you'll likely need to go to court.

How Long Does It Take to Remove Someone?

• For the deed: Filing a quitclaim deed usually takes 4-8 weeks.

• For the mortgage: Depends on the route. Loan assumptions can take a few weeks to a few months depending on the lender.

Do You Really Need to Remove Them?

Let’s flip the question: do you have to take someone off the mortgage?

If the departing person isn’t causing issues and everyone agrees on payment, some homeowners decide to just keep things as is. But remember, the risks are real:

• If one person stops paying, both credit scores take a hit.

• Selling or refinancing down the road can get messy.

• Legal complications if one party wants to cash out or move on.

So yeah, it’s smart to clean things up if you can.

Need Help Navigating This? Let’s Chat

Is it possible to remove a person in a mortgage without refinancing? It does, but a bit of planning, documentation, and often the approval of a lender is required. You can do it by assumption of a loan, legal orders or novation but it is not automatic.

Ensure you are not doing nothing like updating the deed and calling it a day. A mortgage needs planning, patience and clear communication with your lender to remove a name.

At Movement Mortgage RGV, we get that life changes. We’re here to walk you through your options and help you find the best path forward, whether that means assumption, a fresh start, or even exploring a new place to call home.

Ready to talk to someone who knows the ropes? Schedule your consultation today with Movement Mortgage RGV, your trusted mortgage partner in the Rio Grande Valley.