Overview
PHH Mortgage is a major mortgage servicer and subsidiary of Onity Group Inc. (formerly Ocwen Financial Corporation). The company is currently rebranding to Onity Mortgage following the parent company's name change in June 2024. When a borrower passes away, the mortgage does not disappear; it becomes a debt of the estate or passes to the surviving owners. The key process with PHH Mortgage is establishing a Successor in Interest—someone who has an ownership interest in the property and can receive information about the loan.
This guide covers how to notify PHH Mortgage, how to apply for Successor in Interest status, and how to handle loan assumptions or payoffs.
Note on Rebranding: PHH Mortgage is transitioning its name to Onity Mortgage. You may see documents or emails referencing Onity, but the contact information and processes remain largely the same.
This guide provides informational guidance only. It is not legal advice, and SwiftProbate is not a law firm. Mortgage laws and institutional procedures change — verify current requirements directly with PHH Mortgage and consider consulting a qualified attorney.
Notification Process
How to Notify PHH Mortgage of a Death
Step 1: Gather Initial Information
Before contacting PHH Mortgage, have the following ready:
- Mortgage loan number (found on the monthly statement)
- Decedent's full legal name and Social Security number
- Date of death
- Your relationship to the decedent
- Certified death certificate (you will need to mail this)
Step 2: Call Customer Service
PHH Mortgage does not have a direct "Estate Services" line published, so you must start with their main customer care team to open a case.
- Phone: (800) 449-8767
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM ET; Sat, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Inform the representative that the borrower has passed away and you wish to be recognized as a Successor in Interest. They will place a "deceased flag" on the account to suppress collection calls (if applicable) and generate a Successor in Interest Information Packet to mail to you.
Step 3: Submit the Successor in Interest Packet
You must prove your identity and ownership interest in the property to receive full access to loan details. Mail the required documents (listed below) to their correspondence address.
Mail to:
PHH Mortgage Services
Attention: Research / Estate Services
P.O. Box 24695
West Palm Beach, FL 33416
Fax (Alternative): (937) 525-4210 (Include a cover sheet with the loan number)
Step 4: Wait for Confirmation
PHH Mortgage typically reviews documents within 5–10 business days of receipt. Once approved, you will receive a Notice of Confirmed Successor in Interest, allowing you to:
- Access account information
- Request payoff statements
- Discuss loss mitigation or loan modification options
Step 5: Decide on the Loan's Future
Once confirmed as a successor, you must decide whether to:
- Keep the loan: Continue making payments (informal assumption).
- Assume the loan: Formally take over liability for the debt (requires credit qualification).
- Sell the property: Pay off the mortgage balance from the proceeds.
Required Documents
Documents PHH Mortgage Requires
To be recognized as a Successor in Interest, you must prove the borrower's death and your legal interest in the property.
Always Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified Death Certificate | A legible copy is often accepted, but certified is safer |
| Successor in Interest Request | Written request or PHH's specific form (if provided) |
| Government-Issued ID | Copy of driver's license or passport of the successor |
Proof of Ownership Interest (One of the following)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Recorded Deed | Quitclaim deed or warranty deed showing your name on title |
| Probate Court Order | Order determining heirs or distributing property |
| Will + Death Certificate | If the will specifically bequeaths the property to you |
| Trust Agreement | If the property was held in a trust |
| Divorce Decree | If the property was awarded in a divorce settlement |
For Formal Assumption (Taking over liability)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Assumption Application | Financial application (income, credit check) |
| Financial Documentation | Pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements |
Account Types
How PHH Mortgage Handles Different Scenarios
Joint Borrowers (Rights of Survivorship)
If you are a co-borrower on the mortgage, you already have full access to the account. You simply need to provide a death certificate to remove the decedent's name. You are already liable for the debt.
Timeline: 5–10 business days
Successor in Interest (Non-Borrower Owner)
If you inherited the house but are not on the loan, you are a "Successor in Interest." You are not personally liable for the mortgage debt unless you formally assume it, but you must keep payments current to avoid foreclosure.
Timeline: 10–30 days to establish status
Formal Loan Assumption
If you want to put the loan in your name (to refinance later or for credit reporting), you must apply for assumption. This requires a credit check and income verification. Not all loans are assumable.
Timeline: 45–90 days
Reverse Mortgages (HECM)
If the loan is a reverse mortgage, the loan becomes due and payable upon the borrower's death. The estate typically has 6 months (with potential extensions) to repay the loan, sell the home, or deed it back to the lender.
Timeline: Immediate action required
State Considerations
How Your State Affects the PHH Mortgage Process
Mortgage handling is heavily influenced by state property laws.
- Probate vs. Non-Probate: In some states, property transfers automatically via "Tenancy by the Entirety" or "Transfer on Death Deed," bypassing probate. In others, you need a court order (Letters Testamentary) to prove ownership.
- Foreclosure Timelines: If payments are missed, the speed of foreclosure depends on whether your state uses judicial (court-supervised) or non-judicial foreclosure.
- Community Property: In states like CA, TX, and AZ, surviving spouses may have automatic ownership rights even if not named on the deed.
Key State Variations
| State | Foreclosure Type | Community Property? | Notable Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Non-Judicial | Yes | Fast foreclosure timeline; spousal rights strong |
| Florida | Judicial | No | Court process required for foreclosure; homestead protections |
| Texas | Non-Judicial | Yes | Very fast foreclosure (first Tuesday of the month) |
| New York | Judicial | No | Long foreclosure timeline; strict successor protections |
For detailed probate requirements, see our state and county probate guides.
Timelines
Timeline for PHH Mortgage Estate Processing
| Process | Estimated Timeline | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Notification | Immediate | Call (800) 449-8767 to stop collections |
| Document Review | 5–10 business days | Time for PHH to review mailed docs |
| Successor Confirmation | 2–4 weeks | Depends on complexity of ownership proof |
| Payoff Statement | 3–7 business days | Request via fax or email for fastest service |
| Loan Assumption | 45–90 days | Requires underwriting and credit approval |
| Insurance Claim (if applicable) | 2–6 weeks | If death was accidental and covered by insurance |
Note: Mailing documents to the correct address (West Palm Beach PO Box) is critical to avoiding delays.
Tips & Pitfalls
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Keep Paying the Mortgage
The most common mistake is stopping payments while waiting for probate. Interest continues to accrue, and PHH Mortgage can initiate foreclosure even while reviewing estate documents. Keep the loan current if you intend to keep the property.
"Successor in Interest" vs. "Assumption"
You do not have to formally assume the loan to keep the house. As a confirmed Successor in Interest, you can simply keep making payments on the existing loan terms (Garn-St. Germain Act protection). Assumption is only necessary if you want the loan on your credit report.
Watch Out for Property Insurance
Notify the homeowner's insurance carrier immediately. If the house is vacant, you may need "vacant home insurance," as standard policies often expire after 30–60 days of vacancy.
Reverse Mortgages are Different
If the deceased had a reverse mortgage, do not wait. You have a strict timeline to respond to the "Due and Payable" notice. Contact the reverse mortgage department immediately.
Third-Party Authorization
If you are the executor but not inheriting the property, you need Letters Testamentary and a Third-Party Authorization form to discuss the account, even if you don't plan to own the house.