Federal rules require most mortgage servicers to take specific steps before foreclosing: early contact after missed payments, a written notice describing loss mitigation options, and an assigned point of contact who can explain how to apply for help. This guide walks Colorado homeowners through each obligation and what to do if a servicer skips a step.

A non-borrowing spouse is often asked to sign certain closing documents even when only one spouse is on the mortgage loan. The reason is not the debt — it is title. State law can require a spouse’s signature to create a valid lien and clear title, and the title company and closing attorney apply those rules at the table.

Not all mortgages have a prepayment penalty, but if yours does, it was disclosed in your loan documents. Here is exactly where to look — the mortgage note, the Addendum to the Note, the Loan Estimate, and the Closing Disclosure — plus what to do if you already closed and want a straight answer from your servicer.