Mortgage after divorce: what lenders need to see.

Lenders generally treat the end of a marriage or civil partnership the same for mortgage purposes and usually require finalised financial settlement documents, such as a decree and consent order, before approving an offer.

People separating may seek a mortgage at different stages of divorce proceedings. Banks and building societies treat the end of a marriage and the end of a civil partnership the same for lending purposes. Lenders typically want finalised details of the post-divorce financial settlement before they will approve a mortgage offer. Mortgage brokers can check specific lenders' appetite and advise on documentation early in the process. Key points: - Lenders typically require proof that an applicant is no longer legally married or in a civil partnership. - Finalised financial settlement documents such as a decree nisi or decree absolute and a court-approved consent order are usually needed to confirm asset ownership and timing. - Lenders will assess the applicant's solo household finances, commonly asking for three to six months of bank statements and details of any maintenance or spousal payments. - If the divorce is not final, some lenders may accept a solicitor-drafted separation agreement, but policies vary between lenders. Summary: Finalised settlement paperwork and clear evidence of how assets and payments are divided typically shape an individual's borrowing capacity and whether a lender will approve a mortgage offer. Undetermined at this time.