Quit Claim Deed But Name On Mortgage Means Ruined Credit

Q: My husband quit claim deeded his home to his ex. His name is still on the mortgage.

She has been 30 to 60 days late on the mortgage for the last 2 1/2 years. It is ruining his credit. What can we do?

A: Not much, unfortunately, your husband made a calculated error in quitclaiming the deed to his ex-wife without requiring her to refinance the home. Now, he has no claim to the property but owes on the mortgage.

Your ex-husband should call his ex-wife and offer help bring her up to date on her mortgage only if she quitclaims half the property back to him. Otherwise, he should talk to an attorney about what, if anything, he can do at this point.

Aug. 6, 2006.