When my son married, his wife already had a mortgage in her own name. For a number of years he has been paying two mortgages, but he’s now unable to do this and her house is being repossessed. Is my son liable for his wife’s mortgage, and will it affect him in any way?
As long as the mortgage is in his wife’s name only, your son won’t directly be responsible for any money owing once the house is sold. However if the couple have any bank accounts or assets in joint names – for example the other house – these could be at risk if the lenders pursue the debt. If the wife owes money after the house sale the couple will probably find it difficult to borrow in future. They should try to sell the wife’s house without it being repossessed.