First Week As A Surviving Spouse
What if my name is not on the mortgage?
Short answer
Federal law (the Garn-St. Germain Act) prevents lenders from calling the mortgage due solely because of a borrower's death when the property is transferred to a relative — including a surviving spouse. Contact the lender to notify them of the death and…
What this usually means
Federal law (the Garn-St. Germain Act) prevents lenders from calling the mortgage due solely because of a borrower's death when the property is transferred to a relative — including a surviving spouse. Contact the lender to notify them of the death and ask about transferring the loan to your name or continuing payments as the surviving owner. Keep making payments in the meantime.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.