how hard is it to be Release from mortgage?

[Mike]

First let me say Thank You for all who answered my previous questions. I went to a real estate lawyer and asked if I would still be liable for the mortgage even if I filed for a Quit Claim. I told him that my name is not on the Note or the Loan Papers but is on the Mortgage. He told me the since I signed on the mortgage the lender could possibly sue me for the amount owed on the property should the other owner default on the loan. He suggested I contact the lender and ask to be Released from the mortgage and have my name only removed, Or have the other owner Refinance the loan. Refinancing is going to be a big problem because the person has had two major pay cuts this year and can not afford any down payment. So my question is how hard is it to get a Release from a mortgage? Also, does anybody know how to get in touch with someone from Bear and Sterns Mortgage and/or EMC Mortgage Corp? The only phone number I could find just has a busy signal. Thank You.