Need advice on a Unique Situation

[Justin Howe]

I'm looking for different solutions on how to handle this unique situation.

A friend of mine purchased a house with her husband back in 2009. They have divorced since then but when they got divorced, they didn't spell out who would assume ownership of the property post divorce. So currently, both of them still own the house. My friend has been trying to get her ex husband to refinance in his name but he says he doesn't make enough money to qualify. So she's been trying to refinance in her name but he isn't returning her calls, texts, or emails. Without his consent, she cannot refinance into a new mortgage.

She believes the reason he is not responding is because he's currently living there. So if she refinanced and sold the property, he would have to move - which would make his current living situation more hectic.

I told her she needs to think about addressing his needs first, rather than hers.

So I suggested that she offer him to stay at the property for 2 months MORTGAGE FREE, if he lets her refinance into her name. It's a win-win for both parties involved. He gets to stay where he's happily living and she gets to refinance the note and control the property 100%.

I also suggested that she can offer to pay the mortgage for "X" amount of months, if he refinances the mortgage into his name. (contigent upon him getting approved).

- She is open to keeping the property as a rental or selling it

- There's about 30k in equity

What do you guys think? All helpful and creative ideas are greatly appreciated.