Episode 226 - Expert Mortgage Tips For Your Divorce Process

Welcome back to The D Shift: Redefining Divorce And Beyond! Today, host Mardi Winder welcomes a truly unique expert to discuss one of the most impactful, yet often confusing, aspects of the divorce process: your home and your mortgage. Joining us is Stacey Ellison, a Certified Divorce Lending Professional and divorce mortgage planner, whose career has been devoted to helping divorcing individuals navigate the complex intersection of family law, real estate, and mortgage lending.

In this candid conversation, Stacey Ellison reveals how the home often sits at the emotional and financial crossroads of divorce, and why decisions around mortgages are rarely as straightforward as most people believe. Drawing from her extensive experience, Stacey Ellison sheds light on common myths, for example, the misconception that you can simply “remove a spouse from a mortgage”, and unpacks why mortgage guidelines can drastically change when divorce enters the picture.

Together, Mardi and Stacey discuss real-world mistakes she’s seen, such as unrealistic timelines for refinancing, misunderstandings about lending requirements, and the risks of leaving both spouses tied to a property after separation. The episode covers scenarios ranging from couples with multiple properties to those facing market value vs. appraisal discrepancies, and why having a team of professionals, including lawyers, accountants, and mortgage experts, is the key to building a realistic, sustainable plan.

You’ll hear about the importance of running accurate numbers, the power of pre-planning and backup strategies, and why leaving things to chance can lead to costly and stressful complications down the road. Whether your divorce is collaborative or adversarial, this episode is packed with practical advice and expert tips to help you protect your assets, avoid common pitfalls, and set yourself up for a secure new beginning.

About the Guest:

Stacey Ellison is a Certified Divorce Lending Professional and Divorce Mortgage Planner with a deep understanding of the financial complexities that arise during and after divorce. With over 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Stacey brings a unique blend of technical knowledge and compassionate guidance to individuals navigating one of life’s most challenging transitions. Since earning her CDLP® designation in 2020, Stacey has worked closely with family law attorneys, mediators, financial planners, and other divorce professionals to provide strategic mortgage guidance tailored to each client’s needs.

Her role is to ensure that both parties in a divorce understand their options when it comes to home equity, mortgage qualification, and long-term housing goals. Whether helping a client determine if they can keep the marital home, qualify for a new mortgage, or explore equitable buyout solutions, Stacey provides clarity, structure, and confidence in the decision-making process. Her goal is to help divorcing homeowners make sound financial choices that support both their immediate needs and long-term stability.

To connect with Stacey:

Instagram: @divorcemortgagesolutions

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StaceyCDLP

Linked in: linkedin.com/in/stacey-ellison-694052a

Divorce Lending Assoc: divorcelendingassociation.com/offices/stacey-ellison.cfm