Managing a deceased person's mortgage depends on who takes ownership of the property.

• Normally, when real estate is sold, the full loan is due right away, a clause in mortgage contracts known as "Due on Sale"


• However, federal law protects surviving family members or Beneficiaries who inherit the property from having to pay in full


• Regardless if the property is to be transferred to a Beneficiary, or sold to a new owner, contact the mortgage lender, also known as the mortgage servicer, for more information

See below for links to contact information for common mortgage lenders.

Note: if there are other outstanding payments, do not pay them directly; no one is required to take on the debt from a mortgage after a death, unless another person was co-signed to the mortgage.

The surviving family, Beneficiary or Executor of the Estate should not pay for any overdue bills or debt incurred by the deceased.

These final bills should only be paid for by using money from the Estate during Probate.

For more information about debt payments during Estate Settlement, review items within the Estate checklist.