If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of talking to a lawyer about getting a divorce and you and your spouse currently own a home, there are some things you need to check out before you decide what to do with your home.

I recommend that you consult with a mortgage professional before you make a final decision on the future of your home. Far too many times I have seen a divorce decree that requires the spouse to refinance to remove the liability from the other spouse and they run into a problem because the spouse awarded the house doesn't qualify for the loan by themselves or they have problem getting the loan because of home value issues. Without being able to refinance, you will still be responsible for the current loan and it could affect your ability to purchase a new home. For this reason it is best to make sure before the final divorce decree is signed that you or your spouse will be able to refinance the current loan. If there are any problems or concerns it might be best to sell the home.

Don't let your ex-spouse ruin your credit because they were not able to refinance and remove you from the loan. If they make any late mortgage payments it will affect your credit. Take the extra step up front and do your research to protect your credit.