If you weren't the earner.

Lenders look at what's in your name.

When you apply on your own, a lender looks at your income, your credit, and your savings. If the accounts and paychecks were in your spouse's name, you may have less of a record than you expect. That's common, and it can be fixed.

Build credit in your own name

• Check your own credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
• If you do not have a card in your own name, ask your mortgage or credit professional about a plan before applying. If opening one fits that plan, use it lightly and pay it in full.
• Being an authorized user on your spouse's card may not count the same as your own account.
• Pay every bill on time. That matters most.

Support can count as income, with a paper trail

Alimony and child support can count toward qualifying, if you want them to. Many programs need:

• A signed agreement or court order showing the amount
• Proof you've received it on time and in full, often for 6 months
• Proof it will continue for at least 3 more years

Get paid by check or bank transfer, not cash, so there's a record. Ask your attorney about timing. The way support is written can affect what you qualify for.

Other income may count, too

Part-time work, a new job, retirement income, and some other sources may help. Every program has its own rules. A mortgage professional can explain which sources may count.

The three years remaining rule is a big gotcha.

There is no single support term that fits every divorce. Five years, a fixed shorter term, or another arrangement depends on the agreement, the court, and state law. But the length matters if you need that income to qualify for a mortgage.

For a Fannie Mae loan using support income, the lender generally needs at least six months of full, regular, timely receipts and documented continuation for at least three years from the application date. These are two separate tests. Other programs can have different requirements.

Before agreeing to a support term, ask your attorney and mortgage professional whether enough documented income will remain at the expected loan closing. Ask your attorney and mortgage professional to coordinate the start date, receipt history, end date, and expected closing. Plan a cushion beyond the minimum so a delayed closing does not derail qualification. A longer documented remaining term gives more room, when appropriate for your legal and financial situation.

Payments during the divorce may help establish history.

Documented, consistent payments received while the divorce is in process may help establish payment history. Ask the lender whether the payments and governing temporary order or separation agreement meet its requirements and whether the final terms support continued receipt. An informal promise or voluntary transfer alone may not qualify.

Keep the orders or agreements and bank records. Before closing, confirm the amount remains eligible and at least the required period will remain from the note date. Build in more than 36 months of runway when possible; exactly 36 months leaves little margin for delays.

Before accepting a support buyout, check your buying power.

A lump sum may sound appealing, but exchanging monthly support for cash can remove income you were counting on to qualify. A cash settlement is not automatically monthly qualifying income. Eligible assets may help under a different program, but the amount and program requirements matter.

Have a mortgage professional compare both scenarios before you agree: continuing monthly support versus a lump-sum buyout. Ask your attorney and financial or tax professional about the other tradeoffs, too. The better settlement for your life and the one that qualifies for a particular loan are not always the same.

No traditional paycheck? There may be other ways to qualify.

A traditional paycheck is not the only path. Some loan programs allow bank statements to be used to calculate qualifying income. Others use eligible assets for an asset-based income calculation. Some specialized programs do not require income verification, but they do require sufficient verified assets. These are higher-risk loans and need careful review to determine whether they fit your situation.

Every scenario is reviewed case by case. The right option depends on your situation, the property, and the lender’s program requirements. These options are not automatic approvals: credit, assets, down payment or equity, reserves, and other requirements may still apply.

Credit, down payment or equity, property, asset seasoning, and other debts still affect eligibility. Rates, costs, and availability vary. A mortgage professional can confirm available programs and compare the actual payment and cash needed. Do not assume you cannot qualify because the traditional income route does not fit.

Background: Ability-to-repay requirements. Specialist programs must be confirmed for your situation.