Does the ex-wife have to sign over the deed?

[Jeremy Sanderson]

Is there a way to get a property sold (to me) if the seller's ex-wife will have nothing to do with him or the deal?  The backstory here is pretty bizzare:  The neighboring property to one of my rental houses has some fire damage and has sat vacant for about 6 years.  I found the owner on facebook and hit him up to sell me the place. He was all on board.  He said he has an insurance check that he could cash and catch up his payments to the bank if his wife was to endorse it.  He stopped paying the bank after the fire/ break up from wife, but the bank never foreclosed on him (as they probably don't want a burned house).  I tried contacting the ex-wife and can't get a reply from her.  So is there any way to get the deal done - or does she have to sign off on the check as well as for title transfer? Thanks for any advice.