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California is a community property state. When one spouse takes out a mortgage, the other spouse:

Correct Answer

B) Must sign the deed of trust even if not on the loan

In California, the non-borrowing spouse must sign the deed of trust to acknowledge the lien on community property, even if they are not a borrower on the loan.

Answer Options
A
Has no obligations related to the mortgage
B
Must sign the deed of trust even if not on the loan
C
Automatically becomes a co-borrower
D
Can prevent the mortgage by filing an objection

Why This Is the Correct Answer

In California, the non-borrowing spouse must sign the deed of trust to acknowledge the lien on community property, even if they are not a borrower on the loan.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A: Has no obligations related to the mortgage

The non-borrowing spouse does have obligations — they must sign the security instrument.

Option C: Automatically becomes a co-borrower

Signing the deed of trust does not make the spouse a co-borrower or personally liable for the debt.

Option D: Can prevent the mortgage by filing an objection

Community property law doesn't provide a unilateral objection mechanism; both must agree on encumbrances.

Memory Technique

CA -> ca-foreclosure-property-servicing-and-debt-collection

Exam Tip

Legacy California general items should be used sparingly; they are kept officially supported for existing content but new MLO growth should focus more on DFPI/DRE, CFL, CRMLA, covered-loan, and usury rules.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • -Using a national baseline answer when California has agency-specific DFPI or DRE requirements
  • -Confusing CFL, CRMLA, covered-loan, usury, servicing, and DRE endorsement rules
  • -Relying on legacy California state-exam or education assumptions instead of current NMLS source pages
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