Legal Question in Family Law in California

It isn't just the community assets that are split, but also the debts. She needs to find out about each property and just how bad things are. She is not going to be able to remove her name from those mortgages, especially if your dad cannot qualify on his own. Courts will not allow third parties, such as banks, to suffer financial loss or exposure because a couple divorces. Tell your mother to at least consult with an attorney before she signs anything else. I am really sorry.

Your mom needs to get a complete accounting of all your father's financial dealings. Ms. Beers is correct that your mom is on the hook for all the community debt, whether she signed for it or not. If she is going to file for divorce the sooner she does it the better, so she can use the power of the court to force disclosure of everything your dad has done and is doing. He has a fiduciary duty to disclose everything to your mother, but it sounds like he is not going to do that unless he faces court penalties for refusing. Your mother needs to consult with an attorney right away, and get the divorce under way if that is what she wants.