Property, Vehicles, and Utilities
What do I do about their mortgage while the estate is being settled?
Short answer
Continue making payments if the estate can afford to — missing payments can lead to foreclosure regardless of the legal situation. If you are a surviving spouse or co-borrower, contact the lender about transferring or assuming the loan. Federal law (Garn-St. Germain…
What this usually means
Continue making payments if the estate can afford to — missing payments can lead to foreclosure regardless of the legal situation. If you are a surviving spouse or co-borrower, contact the lender about transferring or assuming the loan. Federal law (Garn-St. Germain Act) protects surviving family members from due-on-sale clauses in certain situations.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.