By Karin Price Mueller | NJMoneyHelp.com for NJ.com Q. My husband passed away two years ago. Our house was in his name only and the mortgage interest rate is 7.375%. There is only a $40,000 balance on the mortgage but the payments just went up $200 a month because of taxes and an escrow shortage. I was considering a refinance prior to the tax increase, but I’m wondering if $40,000 is worth an entire new mortgage. I need to get the monthly payment reduced and no one out there