You can't keep it off your credit--the best you can do is to now "fix" the problem (such as by paying the arrears) so as to minimize the negative information; of course, that has it's own, rather significant issues and is likely either not worth it or not something you can do.The problem is, lenders don't care about your divorce. They don't care about where you live. All they care about it is that you are a debtor under the mortgage (you name is on the mortgage). That makes you responsible for paying the mortgage and therefore responsibel for any defaults or foreclosures. If you longer reside at this house, then during your divorce, you should have worked matters out--sold the home and split the proceeds; had your ex-spouse refinance to buy out your interest, etc. Unfortunately, at the time that you are in default, it's too late to do anything.