How do I get mortgage information about a home I inherited?

Short answer

Contact the to request account information about an inherited home. The CFPB says the company may ask for documents that show you have a right to the property. What proof is available can differ by state.

Full explanation

The CFPB says to tell the mortgage servicer that the home was inherited and to ask for the account information you need. The servicer is the company that sends statements, answers borrower questions, and tracks principal and interest.

To release certain account details, the servicer may require proof of your right to the home. For an inheritance after a death, that proof might include an executed will and a death certificate, or a letter from the estate's executor. The servicer should say what it needs. The documents a person can obtain can differ from state to state.

You can also ask how to keep making payments or how to request a loan modification. A HUD-approved housing counselor can help you review options; the CFPB's Find a Counselor tool lists agencies, and the HOPE Hotline is (888) 995-HOPE (4673). If foreclosure is imminent or legal papers have been served, an attorney may also be needed. A CFPB complaint can be filed online or at (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

Sources reviewed