That's what's known as an "Assumption", and you actually have to qualify for it much the same way as you have to qualify for a loan or a refinance package. She actually tried at one point and couldn't. Out of several jointly-owned properties, it was the only one she couldn't do. The other option is a full re-fi, but that's even harder to qualify for.

The interesting footnote is that, starting this year, she has quitclaim deeded the property over to me, because she's filed for bankruptcy, and left this property (and thus my name) off of the bankruptcy. I've taken it over now. Suddenly it *is* my responsibility again (just not for the tax years that the FTB was whining about). Now the shoe is on the other foot: Do I do the assumption? Going over the options with my tax guy, he says it's not important to actually do the assumption as long as she and I fill out the tax forms correctly.