How do I keep my house?

[Kooth]

What is the name of your state? Utah
My wife is filing for divorce and is moving out of our house. She wants her half of the equity and she said that I need to have an appraiser appraise it then refinance it. Any and all advice would be appreciated. I've heard that I don't have to give her her equity until I sell it or get remarried. The divorce papers say that I have to sell it after 15 June, but I haven't signed anything yet.

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state? Utah
My wife is filing for divorce and is moving out of our house. She wants her half of the equity and she said that I need to have an appraiser appraise it then refinance it. Any and all advice would be appreciated. I've heard that I don't have to give her her equity until I sell it or get remarried. The divorce papers say that I have to sell it after 15 June, but I haven't signed anything yet.

Well you heard wrong. You owe her her equity when the divorce papers say you do. Even if you don't sign it, the judge can order that. Your wife is entitled to half of the equity that has accrued during your marriage (or whatever the court orders). When you refinance it to get her name off the mortgage that is considered a sale. Also until her name is off the deed of the house she still owns it. She should not quitclaim it until you refinance. So how long do you want her to have control over what you do to the house?