How to Use Spousal Support to Qualify for a Refinance in Florida
Yes, you can use spousal support (alimony) or child support to qualify for a refinance in Florida. To count this income, lenders require proof that you have received the payments consistently for at least six months, and the support must be legally documented to continue for at least three more years.
Transitioning from a dual-income household to a single-income household is the hardest part of a divorce buyout. Many massive retail lenders will automatically deny your refinance because underwriting support income requires manual verification they simply do not want to do. As an independent Florida mortgage broker, AAA Capital Funding knows exactly how to properly document your Marital Settlement Agreement to legally classify your support as qualifying income, ensuring you can afford to keep your home.
The Rules of Qualifying with Support Income
1. The 6-Month Receipt Rule
A court order is not enough. The bank must see proof that your ex-spouse is actually paying you. We typically need to provide six months of consecutive bank statements showing the exact support amount successfully depositing into your account.
2. The 3-Year Continuance Rule
The income must be reliable. Your Marital Settlement Agreement or Child Support Order must explicitly show that the payments will continue for a minimum of 36 months after the closing date of your new mortgage.
3. The Non-Taxable "Gross-Up"
Child support is generally non-taxable income. Because mortgage guidelines are based on gross income, we can legally "gross up" non-taxable child support (often by 15% to 25%), giving you significantly more purchasing power than the face value of the check.
Stop Guessing. Secure Your Home.
Backed by a flawless 4.9-Star Google Rating and a legacy of trust built since 1997.
Reading the guidelines is the first step. Executing the underwriting to legally document your income is the second. Do not let a lazy corporate bank deny you the ability to keep your home. We will run a confidential, zero-pressure analysis on your Marital Settlement Agreement to structure your refinance and maximize your qualifying income. You aren't handed off to an out-of-state call center—you work directly with a dedicated, local Florida expert.