MEET OUR
TEAM
We are divorce lending specialists with over 20 years of proven experience helping clients who are going through a divorce with their mortgage needs. We are experts in helping our clients navigate complex divorce situations especially when spousal buyouts and Owelty liens are involved. We are the go-to source that many attorneys come to with questions regarding how to structure the divorce decree to ensure that their clients can stay in their homes.
The process of divorce lending ideally starts early enough to offer specific information that you and your attorney can use in your negotiations. Our goal is to put the client in control by providing a loan pre-approval structured by what is needed for qualification to the attorneys to utilize during mediation. We can offer a plan to structure a disbursed Owelty if needed when current debts are too high to qualify.
Our team of professionals understands the steps involved in a divorce… and a few of us have personal experience with divorce, as well. Several of our team members have been called to testify as an expert witness when the divorce case goes to court. We are there to help the attorney during court when a mortgage question arises. The rulings in these cases have resulted in our client’s favor.
You are in good hands with our processors, underwriters, closers, and customer care specialists. Besides keeping you informed every step of the way, we are known for excellent, professional communication with your attorney, CPA, or other divorce team members. We will happily explain loan terms and “mortgage vocabulary” to ensure you are prepared to meet the obligations of your new loan. And if you have questions after the loan closes, just give us a call. We are always here to help!
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Noel Cookman
Divorce Lending Specialist
Noel Cookman is a Divorce Lending Specialist who works at the intersection of divorce and mortgage finance. Having developed this specialty himself in 2002, Noel works with divorce attorneys and clients during the process of divorce.
Mortgage lenders typically tell potential borrowers who are going through a divorce to come back once they have their divorce decree. By getting involved as early as possible, Noel is able to advise and consult divorce attorneys and the clients on the effects of the divorce upon mortgage financing, and vice versa. By doing this, Noel is able to prepare a client’s file so that once the divorce decree is issued their file will immediately be submitted, helping the client begin the next chapter in their lives faster and with little complication. Noel regularly instructs family law attorneys with his accredited Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses.
Noel is married to his beautiful wife, Gay, whom he married a year prior to graduating from Southeastern University in 1972. They have two sons, Zack and Andy. Andy works with Noel as a loan originator and customer liaison at MiMutual Mortgage. Noel enjoys singing and inspiring people from all walks of life!
Noel is very knowledgeable about mortgages, lending rules & how it affects his divorcing clients. He has helped both me & my clients numerous times with information & loans. His quick response time, loan process, & kind heart makes him stand out above all others. I am grateful to work with him.
- Lorraine Hursman, Realtor
(972) 724- 2881
Andy Cookman
Divorce Lending Specialist
Andy Cookman celebrates ten years in the mortgage industry (as of April 2022).
Andy moved to Texas from his native North Carolina to be closer to family and friends and to hone his craft under the guidance of his father Noel Cookman (22+ years of experience in the mortgage industry and founder of the Divorce Lending Specialty).
Previously, Andy worked nearly twenty years in the food service industry on jobs ranging from dishwasher, line cook, Corporate Trainer, and General Manager. Aptitude and hard work led to his role as on-site Manager-Trainer for scores of On The Border restaurant grand openings from coast to coast as well as management and training positions with McAlester’s Deli.
Whether to two or two hundred, Andy communicates with conviction and compassion. Drawing upon his experience in managing and motivating people, he speaks with conviction and compassion, always seeking to solve problems, resolve issues and simply get folks what they need. This ability to navigate people through sometimes turbulent waters has served him well in the world of mortgage finance, and especially at the intersection of divorce and mortgage lending.
When Andy is not at work you may spot him in his kitchen working on a new BBQ sauce recipe (three flavors and counting). The door is always open to talk about all things Florida State University athletics … and of course the Chicago Cubs! Yes, he was there in-person on November 2, 2016 – technically Nov 3 (because it was after midnight in Eastern Standard Time) when his precious Cubs broke their abysmal 108 year no-World-Series-wins history.
Andy was very knowledgeable and professional. He was able to answer my questions and put my mind at ease with the process of refinancing and ensuring that I got what I needed especially going through a divorce. It is already a stressful time, but Andy and his team were very helpful.
- Lisa, F.
(817) 937-5574
Paul Duane
Divorce Lending Specialist
My name is Paul Duane and I’m a Loan Officer with MiMutual Mortgage. I’ve been a loan officer since 2005 and am part of a family oriented, locally run office in Grapevine, TX. So while I have seen the good and the bad in the mortgage industry, I’ve always focused on what’s important: doing what is best for you and your family.
I grew up in Tarrant County and happily focus on serving the DFW Metroplex. I went to Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth and graduated from Oklahoma State University. I am married to my beautiful wife, Karanae, and we reside in Hurst. In my free time, I enjoy exploring restaurants with Karanae, catching a concert, attending a sporting event, or firing up the grill and have a pool full of family and friends!
The mortgage process can be complicated. My goal is to make it as pain-free as possible. The biggest compliment I receive is when I hear “That was actually fun!” We have many different programs and options to make sure your family will be in the best position with their mortgage.
I needed MiMutual's help to get my house refinanced with an Owelty lien for divorce. The process was hard to understand and navigate and painfully long, but Paul and his team really made it smooth and painless. They communicate very quickly and are helpful with all the right details. The refinance details were easy to consume and there was no problem with understanding. The costs were fair. I would always recommend them to anyone faced with the same process.
- Karl S.
(817) 527-3200
Sean McGaughey
Divorce Lending Specialist
Sean began his mortgage career after graduating from Texas Christian University in 2002. He recognizes that his success as a Mortgage Professional is dependent on the service he provides. His goal is to be your lender for life, keeping you informed of changes in the mortgage industry and of opportunities to save money. To ensure complete satisfaction, he provides his clients with multiple lending options and guides them through the entire mortgage process.
Sean consistently goes the extra mile, regardless of the complexity of the transaction and is forever educating himself on new programs to better serve his clients. His honesty, integrity, and professionalism are unwavering, which makes his clients and business partners his #1 referral source.
Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Sean moved to Texas in 1998 to attend college. He holds a BS in Business Communication from Texas Christian University. In addition, he is an Eagle Scout, Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association and serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Scouts BSA Troop 840. He is also active in his church, the Fort Worth Mortgage Bankers Association, the Grapevine Rotary Club, and the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce and enjoys spending time with his wife, Andrea, and 2 sons, Patrick and Declan
I cannot say it enough. They guided me step-by-step as I was going through getting qualified and going through a divorce. They helped me how to get my finances in order order to be able to qualify to take over my house from a divorce. I went and searched through many loan companies. This was my best choice and I do not regret it. They are honest detailed they were with me all the way to the end and answered so many questions I had. I need to refinance or buy another house I will hundred percent go back to them. I have recommended them to others.
- Frankie J.
(817) 527-3161
Brooke Benson
Divorce Lending Specialist
In 2019, Brooke’s marriage ended and she bought a small home. She started thinking about divorce lending since many people – even successful CEOs – may not have been through the homebuying or refinance process alone.
Prior to joining MiMutual Mortgage as a Divorce Lending Specialist, Brooke had worked for a large national lender for almost 10 years in positions including Private Mortgage Banker, Home Mortgage Associate, and Reverse Mortgage Consultant. “Divorce lending” was not a concept there. She and her colleagues were advised to wait until a divorce was final before offering to help.
She knows now most divorcing homeowners don’t want to wait. Or they can’t afford to wait! Once Brooke started assisting divorcing clients, she knew she had found her calling. In 2022, she earned the Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP™) accreditation.
In addition to mortgage lending, Brooke has worked in her family business (in the hospitality industry) and in the public relations/marketing field. She has written articles for magazines and authored a newspaper column for nine years. She enjoys speaking to family law attorneys, financial planners and Realtors in both English and Spanish.
A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin (MA) and Vanderbilt University (BA) in Nashville, Tennessee, Brooke has raised five children. She is a native San Antonian and a fifth generation South Texan. In addition to chasing her grown kids around, Brooke likes to read, cook, play tennis and travel. She is the administrator of the Facebook group called “Texas Divorce Support Network” and is an active member of several bar associations, the Divorce Lending Association, ProVisors, Financial Women in Texas, and Collaborative Divorce Texas.
Brooke and Caley were so efficient and professional. During a very difficult time in my life, this team came through in a mighty, mighty way. I will forever be grateful for this organization and will most definitely refer anyone I know to them. Thank you so much again for handling the loan and everything everyone did to make it seem flawless. Saying this was a great experience just doesn’t seem like enough. May God bless you all.
- Karen E.
Haslet, TX
(817) 527-3168
Scotty Gifford
Divorce Lending Specialist
Scotty, a meteorologist by trade and graduate of Texas A & M University, began investing in real estate as a side venture. The personal connections he made with families through his real estate experience and his desire to help others in real estate transactions lead him to pursue real estate full-time.
Scotty and Amber are partners in work and in life and are raising a blended family of their own. Together, they have an extensive background in real estate, sales, administration, and management. They pride themselves in their communication skills, not only with their clients but also with each other.
Through their teamwork, they have developed a strong track record of negotiation and exhibit the utmost integrity and honesty through every step of the home buying and selling processes.
Scotty is also a Mortgage Loan Officer and has partnered up with The Mortgage Institute and Divorce Lending HQ, to better serve all of our client's needs.
Scotty and Amber have cultivated their business approach with a vision of assisting their clients during one of the most difficult life events. They work with compassion to guide clients through the difficulty of property division and rebuilding during and after divorce. They also help clients navigate the many decisions that come with the joy of blending a family and finding the perfect home to accommodate that new chapter.
While helping clients find and sell homes is a top priority for them, Scotty and Amber are passionate about helping others through the life-changing transitions of real estate transactions. When working with clients experiencing divorce, they advise their clients with empathy and personal understanding of the strain and confusion divorce creates. They work hand-in-hand with their clients to help ease stressful life transitions while assisting them with all unknowns to preserve the homeownership eligibility and credit of both spouses.
Scotty was wonderful!! He is friendly, open, honest, and incredibly knowledgable about the real estate market and home-buying process. He takes time to get to know his clients, and he makes his clients a priority. I highly recommend Scotty.
- A.R.
(979) 5719067
Val Rodriguez
Divorce Lending Specialist
Valentin “Val” Rodriguez was born in 1956 to a Cuban legal immigrant father who played pro baseball and a Tennessean mother, so he’s a special blend. He was born and raised in Ocoee, Florida and went to Ocoee High School, where he was junior and senior class president.
Val is the most magnanimous, outgoing, fun, gregarious personality you’ll ever meet. People love him. He brings 48 years of experience in large-team management, motivational mentoring, leadership and team-building to Divorce Lending HQ. However, it’s really Val’s lifelong practice of integrating every part of his life into the whole – i.e., integrity. It is his entire life that impacts those in his world whether family or friend, colleague or competitor. Leadership by example.
“I hope we can make Divorce Lending HQ better and make some good money for everyone,” Val says.
Val worked retail and several jobs to support his family. In 1977, he began working at the Marriott Corporation’s management program. He was there until 1980, at which point he began working in grocery store management at Goodings. In 1992, Val went into youth ministry and private school coaching in Raleigh, North Carolina, where his team won a state championship in basketball.
After a brief return to Goodings, Val came to work with Noel Cookman in 1996. He then continued working in the grocery business in 2000 at Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods until 2021. During his time in the grocery business, Val specialized in turning under-performing stores around. He won “Store Director of the Year” for 75-Store Chain in 2010, helped develop a new company makeover, participated in Special Projects, trained new managers, and opened several new stores—most of which had between 100-150 employees.
Val returned to work with Noel Cookman at The Mortgage Institute in early 2022. A happy reunion.
Val is passionate about sports. His mother said that growing up, he “had a ball for a brain.” He is a huge fan of the Miami Hurricanes, Baltimore/Indy Colts, and the Boston Red Sox. He also loves golf. At Ocoee High School, Val played football and baseball. He was starting third baseman on the 1973 state baseball champions in Florida; was all-conference in baseball for junior/senior seasons; his baseball team was playing for championships 1972, 1973, and 1974, and he was recruited to play both baseball and football in college.
Besides loving sports, Val puts God and his family first. God has always been Val’s North Star, as He has performed many miracles in Val’s life, putting him in places and allowing him to meet people that others only dream about. Since 1974, Val has been married to his wife Sherry, with whom he shares three children: Van (Kristy), Shawnie (Tony), and Shannon (Adam). They also have ten grandchildren and one great-grandson, born November 10, 2022.
We've known Val for 30 years. He has always been a Rock Star, bigger than life but as personable as anyone I've ever seen. He makes you feel valued and important. An unbelievably amazing addition to the team.
(919)302-1820
Eric Brown
Divorce Lending Specialist
Hello my name is Eric Brown and I am a Mortgage Loan Officer for MiMutual. I am here to help navigate you through the mortgage process in order to best meet the needs of you and your family. My goal is to provide you with the best experience possible so that you don't have to shop around for mortgage services ever again.
Helping people, especially in difficult or confusing situations, is my passion in life. Before joining the MiMutual team, I served as a paramedic and first responder in DFW for over 12 years. As you can imagine, I have had to help people and their families through some stressful times in life. I take pride in my ability to provide excellent customer care in both a professional, but down-to-earth manner.
Prior to my paramedic career, I served our country for 4 years in the United States Navy as a Crash and Salvage Fire and Rescue crew member on board the USS Nimitz.
Born and raised in Grapevine Texas, I love that I am able to plant roots with my family in the town I have always called "home." In my free time, I spend my days on the lake, listening to live music, and finding local fare favorites with my wife, Lara, and 2 children, Haven and Cully.
I look forward to serving you and your family and your mortgage needs.
Provided the excellent professional advice. Eric and his team were very responsible for the whole process. They were so easy to work with, and were very friendly.
- Jun L.
(817)527-3165
Jeanne Frame
Divorce Lending Specialist
Jeanne Frame started her career in finance in 1997. She worked in banking until 2007 when she made the change to mortgage lending.
Since then Jeanne has developed a reputation for treating her clients like family members. Following a 5-star review in which a grateful client called her the “Mortgage Mama,” she has been known by this endearing nickname.
“I am passionate about helping my customers not only buy a house but also understand the process. Mi Mutual is an excellent company with great resources, top-of-the-line underwriters and processors,” she said. “I LOVE my job and as they say, ‘if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.’”
A native New Mexican, Jeanne can originate almost every type of residential mortgage loan including reverse mortgages. She is a resident of Northwest NM and fan of family time, the 4 Corners area, rodeo, and quilting
Throughout the whole process, Jeanne was very patient, professional, and kind. She took the time to answer questions, even if it was the same question over and over. She told me "I would do for you as I would my own family" and that showed. She was there for us with passion and eagerness to find our first home. She was also able to close for us very quickly. I do recommend her and her company! Very pleased.
- Matlynn D.
(505) 327-5500
Bob Duane
Principal
After a very successful career in Food Service distribution for US Foods as the youngest Division President at that time. Bob retired from the corporate world at the age of 42 to pursue his entrepreneur dreams. He and Norma have been business owners and entrepreneurs since they married in 1982.
Bob and Norma invested in a high-tech company in 2000 that had a specialty in the real estate and mortgage. They sold services and leads to mortgage and real estate companies. Bob was on the board and advised the company on strategies. It was this investment that laid the foundation for the mortgage company that it is today.
Bob is an expert on divorce lending and helping people in that difficult time in their life. He understands the laws and how using owelty liens and spousal buyouts can help people qualify to refinance and keep the house. As owner of Divorce Lending HQ LLC he is passionate about educating attorneys and clients of the many options we can provide for their situation.
MI Mutual made buying our home a relatively stress free process. Bob, Norma and Paul guided us through the various options and explained the benefits and risks associated with each one. In the end I got the morgage rate I wanted and closed super FAST!!!
- Todd C.
Norma Duane is the Office and Processing Manager. She has a degree in Organizational Administration from Oklahoma State University and has worked along with her husband in business for 40 years.
She has a compassion for customer service and building relationships with clients.
Interests outside business include traveling, spending time with her growing family and assisting Bob in the kitchen.
Norma Duane
Processing Manager
Norma made sure to let us know what to send in order to keep moving forward. It was a very timely process from start to finish. No surprises at closing, everything was as expected. This team exceeded our expectations completely!! Above an beyond service from start to finish!
- Mercedez S.
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Caley Roth is the Mortgage Loan Lead Processor. She has 12 years’ experience in the finance industry and extensive knowledge of processing all types of mortgage loans. Her problem- solving skills and attention to detail is a key asset to our team.
Caley lives in North Richland Hills with her husband, Jon, and their three dogs (and occasional foster dog). Outside of work, she devotes her time and energy to helping the Fort Worth Animal Shelter and The Street Dog Project rescue, where she is a Director and Medical Lead. Her passion is helping homeless and unwanted dogs get the care and medical attention they need to help them find loving homes.
Caley Roth
Mortgage Loan Lead Processor
Brooke and Caley were so efficient and professional. During a very difficult time in my life, this team came through in a mighty, mighty way. I will forever be grateful for this organization and will most definitely refer anyone I know to them. Thank you so much again for handling the loan and everything everyone did to make it seem flawless. Saying this was a great experience just doesn’t seem like enough. May God bless you all.
- Karen E.
Shella Mullen
Customer Care Specialist
Shella Mullen is the Customer Care Specialist and attended Tarrant County Junior College studying Office Administration and Accounting. She has been working in retail and customer service field for over 20 years. Her passion is talking to clients from all walks of life and learning about their background and strives to provide the best customer service to meet the client’s needs. Shella lives in Arlington with her husband and 3 boys enjoying family time at amusement parks and family vacations.
Shella is a very capable and hardworking Customer Care Specialist and Loan Officer Assistant. I appreciate all she does for me and our other office people.
- Brooke B.