when transferring title or deed to a property, does the previously incurred debt carry over?

I am working on behalf of a client whose mother wishes to convey ownership to him. The client has been told that he has been approved for a loan in the amount of $20,000, which he intends to use as capital to renovate the property. However, there is previous debt owed on the property on behalf of the mother. Does the mother's debt play any determining factor in this process? And what are the proper documents needed to transfer ownership? Does it matter if the house is under title as opposed to deed?