Tenants Divorcing - Need advice

[Gurpal Cheema]

Hi BP,

I have a young couple living in my condo her in New Jersey for almost 3 years now. Over the weekend I received a call from the husband saying his wife has done some illegal activity (not inside the condo) and she was arrested for this. He has filed a divorce and she doesn't live in the condo anymore. He wants her name taken out of the lease and wants to sign a new lease for the remaning period which is until January 2017. 

What are my options? Can I just change the lease to his name? What about the security deposit I received from both of them? Do I need to get in touch with her?

Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you

[Thomas S.]

Do nothing aside from advising him that the lease will remain the same until it ends. The wife has the right to remain on the lease and you still hold both of them responsible for the total rent.  You continue to keep the security deposit until the husband vacates.