Selling a House with a Divorce: The Complete Guide for St. Louis Homeowners

By: Aaron Eller

October 1, 2025

Introduction: Divorce and the Family Home

Divorce is one of the most stressful experiences you can go through. It’s emotionally draining, legally complicated, and financially overwhelming. When you’re splitting assets, figuring out custody, and trying to start over, the last thing you want is to feel trapped by a house that keeps pulling you back into conflict.

For many couples in Missouri, the family home is not only their largest asset but also their biggest source of tension. Maybe it’s where you raised your kids, celebrated milestones, or spent holidays together. Letting go of a home like that is difficult, but the reality is that most divorcing couples can’t keep the house. The mortgage, upkeep, and disagreements about who should stay or pay often make selling the only realistic choice.

If you’ve been searching for “selling a house during divorce Missouri” or “cash home buyers St. Louis”, you’re looking for a path forward. This guide will walk you step by step through everything you need to know: how Missouri divorce law treats the family home, the pros and cons of your selling options, the risks of waiting too long, and how working with a local cash home buyer like Cash Offer Man can make the process fast, fair, and less painful.

How Divorce Impacts Property Division in Missouri

Missouri follows the principle of equitable distribution. That means the court doesn’t just split everything down the middle 50/50. Instead, it divides marital assets in a way it considers “fair.” This distinction matters when it comes to your house.

What Counts as Marital Property?

• If the home was purchased during the marriage, it is marital property.
  
• If one spouse owned the home before the marriage but the other contributed to mortgage payments or improvements, the home may partly be considered marital property.
  
• Gifts and inheritances are usually separate property, unless they were mixed into marital assets.
  

How Courts Decide What Happens to the Home

Judges look at:

• The length of the marriage.
  
• Each spouse’s income, earning potential, and debts.
  
• Whether children are involved and who has primary custody.
  
• Contributions each spouse made (income, homemaking, child-rearing).
  
• Any evidence of one spouse wasting or hiding assets.
  

The most common outcomes are:

1. One spouse keeps the home and refinances to buy out the other.
   
2. One spouse buys out the other’s equity without refinancing.
   
3. The home is sold, and the proceeds are divided.
   

👉 In most cases, especially when money is tight, selling the home is the simplest and fairest option.

Why Selling Makes Sense During Divorce

Keeping the home may sound appealing, but it often creates more headaches than solutions. Selling offers several advantages that divorcing couples in St. Louis consistently find helpful:

1. Financial Freedom

Mortgages, property taxes, utilities, and upkeep can easily exceed what one spouse can handle on their own. Selling allows both parties to walk away without debt weighing them down.

2. A Clean Break

Divorce is about untangling your life from your spouse’s. If both names remain on the mortgage, you’re still financially tied together. Selling makes the separation real and final.

3. Reducing Conflict

When one spouse doesn’t pay their share of the mortgage, the other suffers too. Selling eliminates the opportunity for these disputes.

4. Speed and Closure

The faster you sell, the faster you can move forward. Prolonging the home decision keeps you stuck in limbo emotionally and financially.

The Challenges of Selling During Divorce

Of course, selling isn’t always simple during divorce. Here are the biggest hurdles couples face:

• Disagreement on price. One spouse may insist on waiting for a higher offer while the other wants out now.
  
• Fights over repairs. Leaky roof? Outdated kitchen? Disputes over who pays often get ugly.
  
• Scheduling showings. Coordinating with both spouses involved is messy and can delay sales.
  
• Splitting proceeds. If the house sells for less than expected, resentment builds.
  

These hurdles explain why many couples turn to cash buyers instead of listing with a realtor.

Selling Options for Divorcing Couples in St. Louis

You essentially have three choices:

Option 1: Listing with a Realtor

Pros:

• Potential for higher offers.
  
• Wide exposure through the MLS.
  

Cons:

• Takes 60–90+ days (sometimes much longer in St. Louis).
  
• Requires repairs, cleaning, and staging.
  
• Commission fees eat into profits.
  
• Creates more opportunities for conflict.
  

Option 2: One Spouse Buys Out the Other

Pros:

• Allows one spouse to keep the home.
  
• Provides stability for kids.
  

Cons:

• Requires refinancing, which many can’t qualify for after divorce.
  
• Adds debt for the buying spouse.
  
• Still leaves one spouse financially vulnerable.
  

Option 3: Selling to a Cash Buyer

Pros:

• Fast—close in 7–14 days.
  
• No repairs, cleaning, or commissions.
  
• Neutral option: both spouses walk away with cash.
  
• Less stress and fewer decisions to fight about.
  

Cons:

• The sale price is usually slightly lower than retail, but after avoiding commissions and repairs, many couples net just as much.
  

Realtor vs. Cash Buyer vs. Buyout

Step-by-Step: Selling a House During Divorce in Missouri

Here’s how to handle the process:

1. Talk with your spouse. As hard as it is, you both must agree if both names are on the deed.
   
2. Assess the mortgage. Find out how much you owe and what the house is worth.
   
3. Explore your selling options. Realtor, buyout, or cash buyer.
   
4. Request an offer. With Cash Offer Man, you’ll get one in 24 hours.
   
5. Agree on terms. Both parties need to sign.
   
6. Choose a closing date. This can be fast (7–14 days) or flexible.
   
7. Split proceeds. The title company ensures money is divided properly.
   

How Divorce Affects Your Credit and Mortgage

Divorce doesn’t directly hurt your credit score, but late mortgage payments do. If both names are on the loan, both credit scores suffer if payments stop. Refinancing may lower credit because it adds debt. And foreclosure devastates your score for years.

👉 Selling quickly avoids this risk.

Taxes, Liens, and Legal Complications

When selling during divorce, don’t forget:

• Capital gains taxes. Most couples qualify for the $250,000–$500,000 exemption if they lived in the home 2 of the last 5 years.
  
• Liens or judgments. Must be cleared at closing.
  
• Court orders. Sometimes judges specify how proceeds are split.
  

Cash Offer Man works directly with title companies to resolve liens, judgments, and taxes before closing.

Case Studies from St. Louis

• Florissant (63033): A couple couldn’t decide who should stay in the house. We bought the home in 10 days, splitting proceeds fairly.
  
• South County (63128): One spouse moved out, the other stopped paying the mortgage. Foreclosure was weeks away. We bought the home and saved their credit.
  
• Ferguson (63135): A divorcing couple inherited a home. Instead of dealing with probate and repairs, they sold to us and split the money.
  

Expanded FAQs

Here are answers to the most common questions:

1. Can I sell the house without my spouse’s consent?
   No. If both names are on the deed, both must sign off. Courts may order a sale if one spouse refuses.
   
2. How fast can we sell during divorce?
   Cash Offer Man can close in as little as 7 days.
   
3. What if we owe more than the house is worth?
   We can negotiate a short sale with your lender.
   
4. Do we need to repair the house first?
   No. We buy as-is.
   
5. What if my spouse won’t cooperate?
   We can provide a written offer you can use in court.
   
6. Who pays closing costs?
   We cover 100% of closing costs.
   
7. What about capital gains taxes?
   Most divorcing couples qualify for the exemption, but consult a tax professional.
   
8. Do you buy outside St. Louis?
   Yes. We buy in St. Charles, Arnold, Jefferson County, and surrounding areas.
   
9. Can you buy a house with liens?
   Yes, we resolve liens and judgments during closing.
   
10. Do you buy rental properties?
    Yes. We buy rentals, even with tenants, during divorce.
    
11. Can you work with probate or inherited houses?
    Yes, we specialize in inherited homes as well.
    
12. Do you require inspections?
    No. We make cash offers without traditional inspections.
    
13. Can you delay closing if needed?
    Yes, we can close fast or on a timeline that works for you.
    
14. What if one spouse already moved out?
    That’s fine. We only need signatures from both spouses.
    
15. Can selling affect child custody?
    Selling doesn’t directly impact custody, but it may influence where children live post-divorce.
    

Testimonials

“During our divorce, we couldn’t agree on anything about the house. Cash Offer Man gave us a fair offer, and we closed in under two weeks. It was the smoothest part of the whole process.” – Angela & Mark, Tower Grove (63116)

“We had a home in Florissant that neither of us could afford after divorce. Cash Offer Man bought it fast and fairly. We walked away with cash and no more fighting.” – Sarah, Florissant (63033)

Conclusion: Making Divorce Easier

Divorce is hard, but your home doesn’t have to make it harder. Selling quickly with a trusted local cash buyer provides closure, financial relief, and a clean break so both spouses can start fresh.

At Cash Offer Man, we buy houses as-is, cover closing costs, and let you choose your closing date. Whether you’re in Florissant, Ferguson, South County, or St. Charles, we’re here to help you sell fast during divorce.

👉 Call us today or fill out our form for a free, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours.

Get An Offer Today, Sell In A Matter Of Days

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About the Author: Aaron Eller, Founder of Cash Offer Man

Aaron Eller is the founder and owner of Cash Offer Man, a local home-buying company based in St. Louis, Missouri. At just 22 years old, Aaron has built his business by helping homeowners in difficult situations sell their houses quickly, fairly, and without the hassle of traditional real estate. Over the past several years, he has purchased and sold dozens of properties across the St. Louis metro area, working with people facing divorce, foreclosure, problem tenants, water damage, and more.

Unlike national companies, Aaron takes pride in being a local buyer who knows St. Louis neighborhoods, understands the challenges homeowners face, and offers real solutions. His mission is simple: to make selling your home as easy, fast, and stress-free as possible—no repairs, no commissions, and no hidden fees.

👉 Aaron has personally helped St. Louis couples going through divorce sell their homes fast so they could split proceeds fairly and move forward with peace of mind.

When you work with Aaron and the Cash Offer Man team, you’re working with a trusted local partner who cares about helping you move forward.