The court has to approve the sale as a precaution because a sale to you will be a liquidation of marital property that changes the character of an asset. 

That way the "marital unit" can get up to 20.

It's 10 per individual, so this lets you get up to 20 as a marital unit.Between those two things, pragmatically, what I see time and time again is people switch to commercial real estate.

He mentioned the reason for leasing is primarily 1) downsizing , and 2) don't want to live in the marital property.

You have a signifiant amount of equity, @Michael Shaleesh, that isn't working very hard for you.

Dividing marital assets need the consideration of the whole picture (all assets) not just a single property.

A potential full asset protection structure (shield signifies protected, open lock means vulnerable):Here are the links to highres files:https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-onion-diagram-v2https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-decision-diagramhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-spectrum-diagramhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-structures

The Cook County Human Rights Ordinance: This ordinance prohibits people in Cook County (including employers, landlords, property managers, real estate agents, store and restaurant owners, bankers, lenders and Cook County government officials and employees) from unlawfully discriminating against or harassing other people on the basis of that person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income (including use of a housing choice voucher), housing status, or gender identity.

Could you ex-husband sign a Satisfaction of Judgement that he was paid the amount specified in the marital settlement?  

If she is not needed to qualify then she doesn't need to be n the note, but will sign the security agreement as to her marital interests depending on your state laws and she will be on the deed or in title.If you split, only you are obligated on the mortgage.