The short answer
For an ordinary mortgage, often not. A federal law limits a lender's right to call the loan due when the house goes to a relative at the death. The regulation under that law words this for a relative who lives, or will live, in the home, and it leaves out reverse mortgages.
A child who becomes the owner can ask the servicer to confirm them as a successor in interest. A reverse mortgage works differently. It comes due when the last borrower dies, and the notices that follow have short deadlines.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Find the latest mortgage statement and the servicer's name.
- Tell the servicer of the death in writing.
- Ask to be confirmed as a successor in interest, if you may be one.
- Open a reverse mortgage's due notice the day it comes, and note the deadline.
- Ask the servicer to set out every option in writing.
- Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor or a lawyer before a reverse mortgage deadline.
What can wait
- Refinancing, until you know your options and have them in writing.
- For an ordinary mortgage, deciding whether to keep, sell or rent the house. A reverse mortgage's due notice has its own dates, so that one can't wait.
Who can help
The servicer named on the statement can say what it needs and what each option involves. You can write its number on Who to call.
A HUD-approved housing counselor or a lawyer can explain a reverse mortgage's options before the deadline. If a servicer won't answer, you can file a complaint with the CFPB.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’, courts’ and organizations’ own pages in October 2026. Where a rule differs by state, the book names one state as an example. Check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 4: Their House
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 4. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 3 to 15 after the death.
Questions near this one
Other questions on related subjects, from this book and the others.
- Can Medicaid recover costs from the estate or the house? Book 3, Their Money
- What do I tell creditors, and am I responsible for the debts? Book 2, Being in Charge
- What do I tell my employer, and what about me? Book 1, The First Month
- What if my parent lived in another state? Book 2, Being in Charge
Hear when Their House is out
A short note when each book is out. Five or six emails a year at most. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.