Even when a determination has been made that a simple, uncontested divorce is the right option, a couple can still run into snags. That's why, even in an uncontested Pennsylvania divorce, an experienced family law attorney can help minimize the risks.

About a month ago, we wrote about one of the potential hurdles divorcing couples can face: the underwater mortgage (also known as being "upside down" in the loan). As we noted then, when the house is worth less than the mortgage that remains on it, the place becomes a liability instead of an asset. There are options for dealing with such a situation. They may be unappealing, but all options must be considered.

The options are generally what they have always been. In the first, one spouse signs the house over for financial consideration. A second involves selling the house. But if a house has no equity, both parties are likely going to have to suffer a bit. Here are some experts' thoughts on how to possibly proceed:

•· Refinance: Guidelines for refinancing a house just became easier under the so-called Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). There are other programs that could help too, if you can find a banker who will handle the deal. In this model, the underwater house is refinanced over to one divorcing spouse, and financial considerations are accounted for through some other provisions of the divorce settlement. One or both parties could also contribute cash to reduce the mortgage balance, making it easier to refinance the home at its lower value.

•· Short sale: This means selling the house for less than the mortgage amount. It requires the lender to agree to the deal. Lenders may be reluctant to go this route, even if it's clear that it will lead to a default on the existing loan. Short selling could also hurt the credit rating of both parties in the divorce.

•· Foreclosure: This may be the option of last resort, even if it's the one that makes the most economic sense, because it comes with the possible price of a seven-year hit to the credit ratings of both parties in the divorce.

Some couples might consider a deed in lieu of foreclosure. An attorney could assess if it could work. In this scenario, the deed is signed over to the lender. The divorcees walk away with minimal credit score damage and the lender avoids the cost of foreclosure.

Source: WTEN TV, "Underwater mortgages and divorce," Kara Johnson, Nov. 16, 2011