Support income is often central to staying in homeownership after divorce. But here’s what many people don’t realize:
Even if support payments are legally structured or seem generous on paper, they might not help you qualify for a mortgage.
In fact, assuming the highest support amount will count can cost you the loan—and the home you’re planning on keeping.
A Real Example: Vague Language, Disqualified Income
I recently worked with a woman who was awarded maintenance while completing her graduate degree. Her divorce decree specified that she would receive support until August 2027. The assumption was that once she graduated and increased her income, the support would go down.
It sounded reasonable.
But the agreement didn’t say how much the support would change, or when. The language was vague.
And vague doesn’t fly with lenders.
Because of that, none of her support income could be used to help her qualify for a mortgage—even though she was legally entitled to receive it.
When Support Payments Are Structured to Decrease
Even when support is structured clearly—for example, $10,000/month for two years, then $5,000/month for four years, and then $1,500/month for the final stretch—lenders will only use the lowest scheduled amount when qualifying the borrower.
In this case, that’s $1,500/month.
Not $10,000. Not the average. Just the lowest.
Why? Because lenders don’t deal in speculation—they need stability.
They require income to be consistent and continuing for at least 36 months at the time of application.
If your support drops below that window, or the amount fluctuates, it can get partially discounted—or ignored entirely.
The Legal Plan vs. the Lending Reality
Your divorce decree might reflect your goals, your sacrifices, and your intentions.
But your lender is reading something entirely different: risk, consistency, and timelines.
Even if a graduated support structure makes sense legally, if it doesn’t meet mortgage lending criteria, it won’t help you qualify.
That’s why I always say: structure your support with strategy—not just good intentions.
Planning to Keep the Home? Start with a Lending Strategy
If support income is part of the plan to keep your home after divorce, don’t assume it will count just because it’s court-ordered.
📅 Book a consult to see if I can help.
Divorce changes a lot of things—don’t let homeownership be one of them.