Forward Mortgage  ·  NMLS #1109257  ·  Licensed in Michigan
Questions? (248) 956-0445
Certified Divorce Lending Professional · CDLP®

Your housing decisions deserve expert guidance.

Divorce changes everything about how you qualify for a mortgage. Before your settlement is signed, you need to know what's actually possible — not what you're hoping is possible.

Schedule a consultation Find your situation
In the industry since
2004
20+ years in mortgage, with a growing focus on divorce lending strategy
Credential
CDLP®
Certified Divorce Lending Professional — specialized training at the intersection of family law and mortgage financing
Confidential consultations
No pressure, no obligation
You'll leave with clarity — whether or not we work together
Serving Michigan homeowners
CDLP - Certified Divorce Lending Professional seal
Issued by the Divorce Lending Association
In Michigan
One of only a handful
of CDLP®-certified mortgage professionals in the state of Michigan
The credential

What is a Certified Divorce Lending Professional?

A Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) is a mortgage professional who has completed specialized training in divorce mortgage planning through the Divorce Lending Association — the only organization dedicated exclusively to this discipline.

The CDLP® credential is more than a course. It represents deep training at the intersection of four distinct areas that all come into play during divorce:

Family law
+
Financial & tax planning
+
Real property
+
Mortgage financing

A standard loan officer handles mortgage applications. A CDLP® understands how the terms of a divorce settlement affect mortgage qualification — and works with the legal team to help structure agreements that actually hold up when it comes time to secure financing.

Standard loan officer
  • Processes mortgage applications
  • Evaluates income and credit
  • Finds the right loan product
  • Closes the loan
CDLP®
  • Everything a loan officer does, plus…
  • Reviews settlement language for mortgage impact
  • Advises on support income structuring
  • Coordinates with attorneys and mediators
  • Identifies issues before they become problems
  • Maintains ongoing CE in family law & tax changes
Brian Mutter, CDLP
Brian Mutter
CDLP® · Forward Mortgage
Why work with a CDLP

An operations background changes how I work with clients.

I've been in the mortgage industry since 2004, and most of that time was spent on the inside — as a processor, administrator, and operating partner. I didn't start on the sales floor. I started in the engine room.

That shapes everything about how I approach client work. My instinct is to educate first, explain the process clearly, and make sure you actually understand what's happening and why. Not to rush you toward a decision.

Divorce mortgage planning is a different level of complexity than a standard mortgage transaction. It sits at the intersection of family law, financial planning, and lending guidelines — and the decisions made during settlement can have consequences that show up months later in underwriting. I find this work genuinely rewarding, because bringing real clarity to someone navigating an incredibly stressful time matters.

A regular loan officer can take your application. A CDLP helps you understand your options before your options get locked in.

Operations-first approach · Information, education, communication
Why timing matters

The best time to reach out is early.
Very early.

Divorce is more than a legal process — it reshapes the financial foundation of two lives, including some of the most consequential decisions either spouse will make about housing. When divorce is involved, some important mortgage rules and guidelines change entirely. A CDLP can bring clarity before those decisions are locked in.

In many cases, we can work directly with the legal team to suggest settlement structure or language that may better support future mortgage financing — something most attorneys simply aren't trained to anticipate.

Then
3s
Mortgage rate environment many couples locked in during marriage
→
Now
6s
Today's rate environment — same home, dramatically different payment
One income instead of two
Qualifying for a mortgage after divorce is a fundamentally different exercise. The buying power that existed as a couple often looks very different when only one income is on the application.
Affordability shifts dramatically
Moving from a rate in the 3s to a market in the 6s changes what is realistic — for both retaining the home and purchasing a new one. Setting accurate expectations early prevents painful surprises later.
The agreement language matters
How support payments, asset division, and property transfer are worded in the settlement can directly affect how much a client qualifies for — or whether they qualify at all. We help get the language right before it's final.
The window of opportunity
Before filing
Ideal. Maximum options, maximum flexibility to shape the settlement.
During proceedings
Still very valuable. Settlement language can still be influenced.
Near finalization
Helpful — but options begin to narrow. Act quickly.
After settlement
We can still help — but some opportunities are no longer available.
Is it ever too early? No. Is it ever too late? Sometimes. The earlier a CDLP is involved, the more opportunity there is to create the best possible outcome.
Common situations

You may not realize how much your situation has changed.

Each of these circumstances carries mortgage implications most people — and many attorneys — aren't aware of until it's too late to adjust.

01
Retaining the marital home
Qualifying solo is a fundamentally different exercise than qualifying as a couple. And if your current rate is in the 3s, refinancing into today's market changes your monthly payment — and your reality — significantly.
Talk through your situation →
02
Buying a new home after divorce
Most people are now qualifying on one income instead of two, entering a rate environment far higher than the one they left. What felt affordable as a couple can look very different alone.
Talk through your situation →
03
Using support income to qualify
Alimony and child support can count as qualifying income — but only if structured and documented correctly in your agreement. How it's worded can make or break your ability to get a mortgage.
Talk through your situation →
04
Settlement terms that may not work
Agreements that look sound on paper often fail in underwriting. If both names remain on the loan, you're still legally liable — regardless of what the settlement says. A CDLP reviews terms before they're locked in.
Talk through your situation →
05
Joint debt and your credit profile
Joint debt doesn't disappear at divorce. Credit cards, car loans, and the mortgage itself may still appear on your report even after your settlement assigns responsibility elsewhere.
Talk through your situation →
06
Non-traditional or changing income
Divorce often coincides with career transitions — returning to work, going part-time, or becoming self-employed. These situations require careful handling to meet lender guidelines, and early planning makes all the difference.
Talk through your situation →
Questions people ask

Before the settlement is signed.

The questions that come up most often — answered plainly, with no obligation to do anything about it.

What is a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP)?

A Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) is a mortgage professional who has completed specialized training through the Divorce Lending Association in divorce mortgage planning. A CDLP understands how divorce settlements interact with mortgage qualification guidelines, and works with attorneys, mediators, and financial professionals to help ensure housing decisions made during divorce are realistic and sustainable.

When should I contact a CDLP during my divorce?

The earlier the better. Ideally before your settlement is finalized, and even before filing. A CDLP can help shape settlement language in ways that better support future mortgage financing. Once a settlement is signed, options become more limited. It is never too early to consult a CDLP, but it can sometimes be too late.

Can I keep the marital home after divorce if I refinance?

It depends on your individual income, credit, and the current mortgage balance and rate. Many people are surprised to find that qualifying for a mortgage on a single income is very different from qualifying as a couple, especially if the existing mortgage carries a rate in the 3s and today's market is in the 6s. A CDLP can run a real qualification analysis before you commit to retaining the home in your settlement.

Does alimony or child support count as income for a mortgage?

Yes, but only when structured and documented correctly. The way support payments are worded in the divorce agreement, and how long they have been received, can determine whether a lender will count them as qualifying income. A CDLP works with your attorney to ensure support income is set up in a way that supports mortgage qualification.

How is a CDLP different from a regular mortgage lender?

A standard loan officer handles mortgage applications. A CDLP has additional specialized training at the intersection of family law, financial planning, tax considerations, and mortgage guidelines. A CDLP can review divorce settlement language, advise on how asset division affects qualification, coordinate with your legal team, and identify potential issues before they become costly problems.

Is it too late to contact a CDLP if my divorce is already finalized?

Not necessarily. A CDLP can still help after a settlement is finalized, particularly with purchasing a new home or refinancing the marital home. However, some options that were available earlier in the process may no longer be available. If you are still in the divorce process, contacting a CDLP as soon as possible gives you the most flexibility.

Schedule a consultation

Let's talk about your situation.

These questions help me prepare so we can make the most of our time together. There are no wrong answers, and everything you share is completely confidential.

How can I help?
Want me to come prepared? Tell me a bit more.
Entirely optional — skip it and we'll cover it together.
+
Answering any of these lets me run real numbers before we talk, so our conversation starts with answers instead of questions. If you'd rather not, that's genuinely fine — none of it is required.
About the divorce
About the marital home
About income and support
About your credit and finances
Anything else?

Everything you share is confidential. I'll reply within one business day.

Thank you — we'll be in touch shortly.

Brian will review your answers and be in touch within one business day to schedule your consultation. You'll come away from that conversation with real clarity about your options — whatever you decide to do next.

Need to reach us sooner? Call or text (248) 956-0445 or email [email protected]