Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP)
Divorce Mortgage Planning
Settlement-aligned mortgage guidance for divorcing homeowners, attorneys, and mediators — CDLP consultations available nationwide, starting with a free discovery call, plus Washington State mortgage financing to put your settlement into action.
Mortgage financing is available in Washington State. CDLP divorce consultations start with a free discovery call, offered nationwide.
- 23+ Years Experience
- 1,000+ Loans Funded
- 4.9★ from 200+ Reviews
- NMLS #344326
Quick Answer
Joshua Donion, a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP), offers two distinct services: CDLP consultation available nationwide — a free discovery call, then optional paid analysis — giving divorcing homeowners, attorneys, and mediators settlement-aligned mortgage guidance, and Washington State mortgage financing — refinancing to remove a spouse, equity buyouts, and post-divorce purchase qualification.
Two Ways to Work With Joshua
Divorce mortgage needs generally fall into one of two categories. Find yours below.
Nationwide · Paid Advisory
CDLP Divorce Consultation
Settlement-aligned mortgage analysis for divorcing homeowners, attorneys, and mediators — anywhere in the country. It starts with a free discovery call; any deeper analysis is scoped and agreed with you before it is billed, like working with an attorney or financial planner.
- • For divorcing homeowners, attorneys, and mediators nationwide
- • Written, settlement-ready mortgage analysis
- • Not a loan — an independent advisory engagement
Washington State · Mortgage Financing
Divorce Mortgage Financing
Ready to actually refinance, buy out a spouse's equity, or qualify for a new purchase? Joshua originates mortgages for homeowners and properties in Washington State.
- • Refinance to remove a spouse from the mortgage
- • Cash-out refinance for an equity buyout
- • New purchase qualification post-divorce
Who the CDLP Consultation Is For
A free nationwide discovery call — with optional paid analysis, engaged directly by homeowners, or through the professionals guiding them.
Divorcing Homeowners
You need to know, before you sign anything, whether a proposed buyout or refinance is actually achievable on your post-divorce income.
Divorce Attorneys
Bring Joshua in mid-negotiation to pressure-test whether the mortgage terms in a draft settlement will actually qualify — before they become a decree that's difficult to unwind.
Mediators & CDFAs
Add mortgage-specific expertise to the settlement process without duplicating the asset-division work that belongs to you and your client.
Why You Need a CDLP
Divorce is one of the most significant financial events in a person's life, and the mortgage on the marital home is typically the largest liability involved. A standard loan officer may not understand the nuances of divorce settlement agreements, court orders, alimony and child support income qualification, or the tax implications of property transfers between spouses.
A Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) is specifically trained to bridge the gap between family law and mortgage lending. Joshua Donion holds this specialized certification and works directly with divorce attorneys, mediators, and financial planners to ensure that mortgage-related decisions made during the divorce process are financially viable and sustainable long-term.
Too often, divorce settlements include mortgage provisions that cannot actually be executed. A CDLP reviews the mortgage implications of proposed settlement terms before they are finalized, preventing costly mistakes and delays.
A CDLP is not a substitute for a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). A CDFA focuses on the overall division of marital assets and does that work well. A CDLP's expertise is narrower and more specific: whether the mortgage and housing terms in a settlement will actually qualify and close. Many clients, and their attorneys, use a CDLP and a CDFA together rather than in place of one another.
Divorce Mortgage Services
Comprehensive mortgage financing for every phase of the divorce process, for homeowners and properties in Washington State.
Home Equity Buyout Analysis
When one spouse wants to keep the marital home, a buyout requires refinancing to remove the other spouse from the mortgage and title. Joshua provides a detailed analysis of whether the retaining spouse can qualify independently, the expected equity split, and the total cost of the buyout including closing costs and any equalization payments.
Refinance to Remove a Spouse
Refinancing during or after divorce removes the departing spouse from the mortgage liability and transfers full ownership. This process requires qualifying on a single income, and timing matters. Joshua coordinates with your attorney to ensure the refinance aligns with your settlement timeline and court requirements.
New Home Purchase Qualification
If one or both spouses need to purchase a new home, qualification depends on post-divorce income, alimony or child support payments (both received and owed), and the disposition of the marital home. Joshua pre-qualifies you based on your projected post-divorce financial picture.
Marital Home Retention Analysis
Before deciding to keep the marital home, you need a clear picture of the true cost of ownership. This analysis covers the refinanced mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and opportunity cost of equity compared to alternative housing options.
How the Process Works
Consult
A confidential consultation to understand your divorce situation, financial goals, and housing needs. This can happen at any stage of the divorce process, but earlier is better. Joshua can work with your attorney or mediator from the beginning, wherever you're located.
Analyze
Detailed mortgage analysis based on your current and projected post-divorce finances. This includes qualification scenarios, buyout calculations, affordability projections, and a written report that can be shared with your legal team.
Execute
Once your settlement is finalized, Joshua handles the mortgage application, underwriting, and closing directly for properties in Washington State. Outside Washington, your written analysis gives your local lender what they need to execute exactly what was negotiated.
Benefits of Working With a CDLP
A Certified Divorce Lending Professional brings specialized, mortgage-specific expertise that a standard loan officer doesn't carry — distinct from the asset-division work a CDFA does. The CDLP consultation starts with a free discovery call available nationwide; Washington State mortgage financing is available when you're ready to execute.
Court-Ready Analysis
Written mortgage analysis documents that can be presented to the court, used in mediation, or shared with attorneys. These reports detail qualification scenarios, affordability, and financial projections.
Attorney & Mediator Collaboration
Joshua works directly with your legal team to ensure that settlement provisions involving the mortgage are financially executable. This prevents settlements that look good on paper but cannot be fulfilled.
Settlement Alignment
Every mortgage recommendation is aligned with the terms of your divorce settlement. Income from alimony and child support is properly documented, and property transfers are structured to meet underwriting requirements.
Available Nationwide
The CDLP consultation is advisory work, not a loan — so Joshua can work directly with divorcing homeowners, attorneys, and mediators anywhere in the country, then coordinate with your local lender if the property isn't in Washington.
Confidential & Professional
All consultations and analyses are handled with complete confidentiality. Joshua understands the sensitivity of divorce proceedings and maintains strict professional boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I contact a CDLP during the divorce process?
As early as possible. Ideally, before any settlement terms involving the mortgage or marital home are agreed upon. A CDLP can analyze whether proposed terms are financially feasible and prevent costly mistakes. However, it is never too late to get professional mortgage guidance during a divorce.
What's the difference between a CDLP and a CDFA?
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) focuses on the overall division of marital assets — retirement accounts, investments, and the broader settlement — and typically works alongside your attorney on that analysis. A Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) has a narrower, mortgage-specific focus: whether the housing and mortgage terms in a proposed settlement will actually qualify and close. The two roles complement each other, and Joshua regularly coordinates with CDFAs, attorneys, and mediators rather than duplicating their work.
Is the CDLP consultation free?
The first conversation is. Your initial discovery call is complimentary — it exists so you and Joshua can understand the situation and decide whether deeper work makes sense. If it does, Joshua will scope a written advisory engagement and agree the fee with you in advance; that analysis work is billed hourly, like retaining an attorney or financial planner. Nothing is billable until you have agreed to it. If you go on to work with Joshua on a Washington State mortgage, standard loan origination costs for that transaction are separate and billed the usual way.
Do I need to live in Washington to book a CDLP consultation?
No. The CDLP consultation is an advisory service, not a mortgage transaction, so Joshua works with divorcing homeowners, attorneys, and mediators anywhere in the country. Mortgage origination and financing — refinancing, equity buyouts, and new-purchase loans — are handled only for properties in Washington State.
Can I use alimony or child support as income to qualify?
Yes, but there are specific documentation requirements. Alimony and child support income must be court-ordered, documented in the divorce decree, and shown to continue for at least three years from the mortgage application date. You may also need to provide evidence of consistent receipt, typically six months of bank statements showing deposits.
Can I assume the existing mortgage in a divorce instead of refinancing?
Sometimes. If your loan is FHA, VA, or USDA — or a conventional loan with an assumption clause — one spouse may be able to assume the mortgage and keep the existing interest rate, which is valuable when current rates are higher. Assumption still requires the remaining borrower to qualify on their own income and a release of liability for the departing spouse. Joshua can confirm whether your specific loan is assumable and coordinate the process.
Can I buy a new home before my divorce is finalized?
In most cases, yes, but it depends on your state's laws and your specific circumstances. Community property states like Washington have different rules than equitable distribution states. Joshua can help you understand the implications and timing considerations for purchasing before the divorce is final.
What happens to the mortgage if my name is on it but the house is awarded to my spouse?
Your name remains on the mortgage until it is refinanced or assumed, regardless of what the divorce decree says. This means you remain liable for the debt and it will appear on your credit report. A CDLP can help structure settlement terms that include a refinance or assumption timeline and contingencies to protect you.
Cities We Serve
Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) guidance in the cities and metros we serve.
Washington
California
Colorado
Georgia
Oregon
Tennessee
Illinois
Ohio
Indiana
Minnesota
Utah
Idaho
Missouri
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
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