Can a co-borrower sue the primary borrower?

Asked by: Prof. Sylvester Bins  |  Last update: August 30, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (10 votes)

One option that's available: A cosigner does have the right to sue the primary borrower to recover the funds spent making loan payments. It will then be up to the court to decide whether to award any damages to the cosigner. When deciding whether to sue, take court costs into account.

Can you sue the primary borrower?

In many cases, cosigners have the right to take the primary borrower to court for failing to repay the loan.

Can a co-borrower remove the primary borrower?

Ending a Cosigned Car Loan. As the cosigner, you can't remove the primary borrower from the loan. Unfortunately, since you have no legal rights to the vehicle, the primary borrower has to take the initiative to remove someone's name from the contract.

Can a cosigner sue the primary borrower on a student loan?

A cosigner has the right to sue the primary borrower on a student loan to recover the money they spent making the loan payments. So if you don't make any loan payments, you may not be able to sue the primary borrower to recover money.

Does a co-borrower have the same rights as the borrower?

Rights and Responsibilities of Co-Borrowers

Co-borrowers' rights align with their title holding. Joint tenants have equal ownership, while tenants in common may have varied ownership percentages. Removing a co-borrower from a mortgage is challenging and often requires refinancing or selling the property.

Co-Signer vs Co-Borrower | What's the difference?

41 related questions found

What is the borrower co-borrower rule?

A co-borrower is any additional borrower whose name appears on loan documents and whose income and credit history are used to qualify for the loan. Under this arrangement, all parties involved have an obligation to repay the loan. For mortgages, the names of applicable co-borrowers also appear on the property's title.

Can a co-borrower take possession of the house after?

If the other party stops making payments, as co-owner, you can take possession of the property. This is not the case as a co-signer. Remember that a co-signer is not on the title of the property and cannot take ownership of it. Getting a home loan with a partner is the same as if applying solo.

Can a co borrower be removed from a student loan?

Removal of a co-signer can happen only after the borrower has made a predetermined number of on-time payments on a private student loan and has met other requirements. Learn how to get a student loan co-signer release.

How do I protect myself as a cosigner?

5 ways to protect yourself as a co-signer
  1. Serve as a co-signer only for close friends or relatives. One of loan co-signing's biggest risks is potential damage to your credit score. ...
  2. Keep copies of all the loan documents. ...
  3. Create a contract. ...
  4. Track monthly payments. ...
  5. Ensure you can afford payments.

Does a cosigner have any legal rights?

Being a cosigner does not give you rights to the property. A cosigner has no title or ownership in the property secured for the loan. Additionally, a cosigner has no legal right to occupy a home as a primary or secondary residence, unlike the primary signer/borrower.

Can a co-signer sue the primary borrower on a car loan?

Yes, you can sue him to have him indemnify you. If you are both sued and at some point in the litigation you come up with enough money to pay off the debt, you should consider buying the debt from the lender or having the loan assigned to you so that you can continue the litigation against the other borrower.

Can you remove a co-borrower without refinancing?

A loan assumption or modification could release a co-borrower from your mortgage without refinancing, preserving the current homeownership. However, lenders aren't required to grant these options, so be prepared to negotiate.

Does a co-borrower have ownership?

Keep in mind, however, that a co-borrower has equal ownership to funds and assets. For instance, if you and your spouse took out a joint loan on a house, you'll need to protect your equity in a divorce settlement. Aside from that, both parties are held legally responsible for repaying the loan.

Can a primary borrower remove a co-borrower?

In general, the terms of the co-signed loan cannot be undone. To reverse the co-signer's obligation, the co-signed loan must be paid off, or refinanced, with or without a new co-signer.

Is a co-signer legally responsible for any debts if the borrower doesn t pay?

If you co-sign, you are responsible for the entire debt. This means that you will have to pay the full amount if the other person doesn't pay, even if you did not receive the goods or services. If the other person does not pay the loan, you can be sued and your wages and property may be taken.

Can I sue my student loan lender?

In general, borrowers can sue a student loan servicer. If there is a class-action lawsuit against a provider or school, borrowers automatically become a part of the class-action lawsuit but are not directly suing any party.

Can you sue someone for defaulting on a loan you cosigned?

Yes, you can sue the person you co-signed for if they don't make the payments they promised to make. You may be able to get a judgment against them in court, but it could be hard to collect that money since they didn't pay the debt in the first place.

How can I legally get out of a cosigned loan?

Request release from a co-signed loan

Co-signers can make a written request to the lender to be released from a loan. In certain cases, like some student loans, there may be a provision that allows a co-signer to take their name off a loan.

What power does a cosigner have?

They are equally responsible for the debt and must pay if the borrower does not make payments or defaults on the loan. Who can be a co-signer comes down to credit history and standing. A co-signer must have their income, assets, credit score and debt-to-income ratio in good shape to receive approval.

Can a co-borrower be removed from title?

While only one co-borrower will retain ownership of the home after the other is removed from the mortgage, the departing co-borrower may still have to take additional action to remove their name from the house title and give up their ownership rights.

How do I get out of a cosigned student loan?

A student loan cosigner release means that the borrower becomes solely responsible for repaying their own loans by themselves. In order to qualify for a student loan cosigner release, the original borrower must be able to demonstrate that they can pay off all remaining balances on their own.

Who is eligible for cosigner release?

Co-signer release requirements

You've graduated or completed your certificate program. You're the age of majority in your state. You're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Your student loans are not in hardship forbearance or enrolled in a modified repayment program the year before you apply.

What rights does a co-borrower have?

Rights of co-borrowers

All areas of the property are accessible to each individual. Also, each owner decides who receives her share of the property when she dies. So not all owners will receive their share. The other co-owners must consent to the sale of an owner's share.

How to remove someone from a mortgage without refinancing?

Typically, removing a name from a mortgage could require you to pay off the loan in full or refinance it with a new loan. But, there are alternatives where you can take over the loan without paying off it off or refinancing. These could include mortgage assumption, loan modification and bankruptcy.

What does c/o mean on a mortgage statement?

"c/o" on a deed or in any writing is an abbreviation for "in care of" and is used (for example) to direct delivery to A at B's address. Its to send say tax bills or other items to someone else other than who is on the deed.