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Free worksheet · Divorce and the house
The House Decisions Worksheet
Ten things to agree on before the house goes on the market. Settle them once, in writing, and the sale is just a sale.
Molly A. Jones, REALTOR®Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker · Updated October 2026Most of the stress in a divorce sale comes from decisions that were never made up front. Use this worksheet before the house is listed. Fill it out together or separately, then go over it with your attorneys or mediator. It works the same no matter which of you picks it up first.
- 1
The agent
One agent you both choose, who sends the same information to both of you at the same time.
Agent we both agree on:Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 2
The list price, and how price changes get decided
For example: if there are no offers after 30 days, we reduce by an agreed amount without starting the debate over.
Starting list price:If no offers after ____ days, we reduce by:Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 3
How offers are handled
Who reviews them, how fast each of you will respond, and what you'll both accept without a long back-and-forth.
We'll each respond to offers within:We'll both accept any offer at or above:Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 4
Who pays what until closing
Mortgage, utilities, insurance, lawn care and snow removal. Late mortgage payments hurt both of your credit if you're both on the loan.
Mortgage:Utilities and insurance:Lawn, snow and upkeep:Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 5
Repairs and prep
A budget for getting the house ready, who fronts the money, and whether it's paid back from the sale.
Prep budget:Who pays up front, and is it repaid at closing?Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 6
Showings
If one of you still lives there, how much notice they get and who keeps the house ready to show.
Notice needed before a showing:Who keeps the house show-ready:Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 7
How you'll communicate
Everything about the house in writing, to both of you, in one thread. No side conversations.
How we'll communicate (email, text thread, other):Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 8
The money
How the proceeds will be held until the divorce is final, and how they'll be divided.
Proceeds will be held by:Division, per our agreement:Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 9
Furniture and belongings
What stays for showings, who moves what, and by when.
Stays for showings:Moved out by (who, and by when):Agreed Initials ______Initials ______ - 10
Signing and closing
If you're both on the title, you'll both sign. Signing can often be arranged separately.
How each of us will sign (together, separately, remotely):Agreed Initials ______Initials ______
This worksheet is a planning tool, not a legal agreement. Your attorneys or mediator should confirm how these decisions fit your divorce agreement. I'm a real estate broker, not an attorney or tax advisor.
Prepared by Molly A. Jones, REALTOR® · Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker #475.127642 · Nate Evans Group Inc · 217-493-6200 · mollyajones.com. General information only, not legal, tax or lending advice.
Common questions
What should divorcing couples agree on before selling the house?
The agent, the list price and how price changes get decided, how offers are handled, who pays the bills until closing, the repair and prep budget, how showings work, how you'll communicate, how the proceeds are held and divided, furniture and belongings, and how signing and closing will work.
Should our attorneys see this worksheet?
Yes. Fill it out together or separately, then share it with your attorneys or mediator. They can confirm your answers fit your divorce agreement and add anything specific to your situation.
Want to walk through it together?
I'm happy to go over this worksheet with both of you, or with your attorneys or mediator, before anything is listed. It's confidential and there's no obligation.
Or call or text 217-493-6200.
