{"id":33805,"date":"2026-01-05T14:51:31","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T13:51:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/im-paying-the-mortgage-alone-during-the-divorce-what-are-my-rights\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T10:49:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T09:49:22","slug":"im-paying-the-mortgage-alone-during-the-divorce-what-are-my-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/im-paying-the-mortgage-alone-during-the-divorce-what-are-my-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"I&#8217;m paying the mortgage alone during the divorce: what are my rights?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>During a divorce, it is common for only one spouse to continue to pay the <strong>mortgage<\/strong>, sometimes despite a de facto separation or departure from the marital home.<br\/>This situation raises a number of questions: is it legal? Can the sums paid be recovered? How will this be taken into account when the property is divided?  <\/p>\n\n<p>From the very first difficulties, it is advisable to consult a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/\">Toulon divorce lawyer<\/a><\/strong> to protect your financial interests and avoid lasting consequences.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why does only one spouse pay the mortgage?<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">De facto separation and financial imbalance<\/h3>\n\n<p>After <strong>separation<\/strong>, one of the spouses may have a higher income or retain access to accounts, leading to unilateral payment of the credit.<br\/>This situation is not legally neutral, as the credit is part of the <strong>marriage expenses<\/strong> until the divorce is finalized.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leaving the marital home<\/h3>\n\n<p>When one spouse leaves the <strong>marital home<\/strong>, the other often continues to pay the mortgage to avoid any banking incidents, even if he or she is left to bear the financial burden alone.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Temporary agreement or sudden situation<\/h3>\n\n<p>In some cases, the spouses verbally agree that one of them will temporarily pay off the loan.<br\/>In other cases, the situation is unavoidable, in the absence of an agreement or court decision.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it compulsory to continue paying the mortgage?<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Liability towards the bank<\/h3>\n\n<p>Vis-\u00e0-vis the bank, the spouses remain bound by the <strong>mortgage<\/strong>.<br\/>The bank doesn&#8217;t care about the divorce: it demands repayment in accordance with the loan contract.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Solidarity between spouses and co-borrowers<\/h3>\n\n<p>When spouses are <strong>co-borrowers<\/strong>, joint and several liability applies.<br\/>This means that the bank can demand full payment from one spouse, even if the other is no longer paying.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens in the event of non-payment?<\/h3>\n\n<p>In the event of non-payment, the risks are considerable:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Registration in the payment incident file,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Penalties,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Property seizure procedures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>It is therefore often more prudent to continue paying, even if it means asking for compensation at a later date.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I get back the money I paid during the divorce?<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Principle of inter-spousal claims<\/h3>\n\n<p>In family law, the spouse who pays the credit alone can, under certain conditions, assert an <strong>inter-spousal claim<\/strong>.<br\/>In other words, the sums paid can be taken into account at the time of division.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Payment of credit and division of property<\/h3>\n\n<p>During the liquidation of the matrimonial property regime, particularly in the case of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/the-notarys-role-in-a-divorce-when-is-it-mandatory\/\">indivision<\/a><\/strong>the notary can include payments made by only one spouse in the accounts between the parties.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Proof of entitlement to reimbursement<\/h3>\n\n<p>It is essential to keep :<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bank statements,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loan schedules,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof of payment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Without proof, it will be very difficult to obtain compensation.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mortgages and home occupation<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I pay the mortgage and occupy the house<\/h3>\n\n<p>When the spouse paying the loan <strong>occupies the home<\/strong>, the question of<strong>occupancy indemnity<\/strong> arises.<br\/>Payment of the loan does not automatically replace this indemnity.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I&#8217;m paying the mortgage without living in the property<\/h3>\n\n<p>If you pay the loan without occupying the property, the situation is legally more favorable.<br\/>The judge may consider that you are financing a property from which you derive no benefit.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impact on occupancy indemnity<\/h3>\n\n<p>The credit payment can sometimes partially offset the occupancy indemnity, but this depends on the judge&#8217;s decision and the overall context.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The role of the judge and interim measures<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Temporary allocation of accommodation<\/h3>\n\n<p>As part of the <strong>provisional measures<\/strong>, the family court judge may decide :<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Who occupies the home,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who pays the credit,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How expenses are distributed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Distribution of expenses during the procedure<\/h3>\n\n<p>The judge can set a provisional division of the <strong>marriage expenses<\/strong>, including the mortgage, in order to limit imbalances.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Possible decisions by the judge<\/h3>\n\n<p>These decisions are designed to protect the spouses financially until the final judgment, particularly in contentious divorces.<br\/><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real estate credit, compensatory allowance and alimony<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inclusion in compensatory allowance<\/h3>\n\n<p>Payments made by one spouse can be included in the overall analysis of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/compensatory-allowance-calculation-conditions-and-practical-examples\/\">compensatory allowance<\/a><\/strong>designed to rebalance financial situations.<br\/><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Distinction from alimony<\/h3>\n\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/droit-de-la-famille-et-des-personnes\/avocat-pension-alimentaire-toulon\/\">alimony<\/a><\/strong>is governed by separate rules and is not the same as credit repayment.<br\/><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Long-term consequences of divorce<\/h3>\n\n<p>After the divorce, the fate of the credit will depend on :<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sale of the property,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Redemption of the other spouse&#8217;s share,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or to remain in joint ownership.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can you do to protect yourself if you&#8217;re paying the loan alone?<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Formalize the situation in writing<\/h3>\n\n<p>Even a provisional written agreement can be useful evidence in the event of a subsequent dispute.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Go to court to secure payment<\/h3>\n\n<p>Bringing the matter before a judge provides a clear legal framework and prevents the situation from turning against you.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Being accompanied by a lawyer<\/h3>\n\n<p>The support of a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/our-expertise\/family-and-personal-law\/\">family law<\/a><\/strong> is crucial to adopting the right strategy from the outset.<br\/><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why consult our Toulon office?<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expertise in divorces involving real estate<\/h3>\n\n<p>The firm is regularly involved in divorces involving mortgages, joint ownership and valuable assets.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defending the financial interests of spouses<\/h3>\n\n<p>Each case is treated with particular attention to the short- and long-term financial consequences.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coordination with notaries and banks<\/h3>\n\n<p>We work closely with notaries and, if necessary, with lending institutions to secure transactions.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knowledge of Toulon court practices<\/h3>\n\n<p>This local control enables us to anticipate decisions and adapt our strategy.<\/p>\n\n<p>To discuss your situation and obtain personalized support, please visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/nous-contacter\/\">contact<\/a> page.<br\/><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ &#8211; I&#8217;m paying the mortgage alone and I&#8217;m getting divorced<\/h2>\n\n<p><strong>Can I stop paying the mortgage?<\/strong><br\/>No, except with the bank&#8217;s consent or by court order. The risks are considerable. <\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Does my spouse have to reimburse me after the divorce?<\/strong><br\/>Possibly, via an inter-spousal claim at the time of partition.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Can the judge force the other spouse to participate?<\/strong><br\/>Yes, as part of provisional measures.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Is the credit payment included in the split?<\/strong><br\/>Yes, if it is proven and properly integrated into the liquidation.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Do I have to pay even if I no longer live in the house?<\/strong><br\/>Yes, with regard to the bank, but this may work in your favor during the divorce.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During a divorce, it is common for only one spouse to continue to pay the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33806,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[226],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-and-personal-law"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33805"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33805\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}