Can I sue my co-borrower?

Asked by: Marion Weissnat  |  Last update: October 17, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (32 votes)

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.

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.

Can a co-borrower sue the primary borrower?

Cosigners can take the primary borrower to court if the primary borrower fails to repay the loan or otherwise fails to fulfill the terms of their agreement. As you learn about getting a cosigner, you'll see that they can help you get a loan you may not otherwise qualify for.

Can a co-borrower be removed from a 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.

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.

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Can a co-borrower take possession of the house?

However, you have an advantage if you are the co-borrower in this situation. 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.

How to remove co-borrower from home loan?

Yes, removing someone from a mortgage is possible, but the most common method is refinancing the loan solely in the name of the person who will retain ownership of the property. This involves obtaining a new mortgage that pays off the existing one, releasing the other party from their obligation.

Who owns the car if there is a co-borrower?

Equal rights: The co-borrower has equal rights to the car as the primary borrower. This means the co-owner must be involved in the sale or transfer of the car. Insurance: Even if the co-owner doesn't use the car, they will likely need to be on the insurance policy. This can mean higher costs for both involved.

How to take someone off a mortgage without refinancing?

Here are four common ways to get removed from a mortgage:
  1. Refinancing the loan in the name of the remaining borrower.
  2. Selling the property to pay off the existing mortgage.
  3. Obtaining a release of liability from the lender.
  4. Undergoing a legal processes for divorce or the death of a co-borrower.

Can you remove yourself as a co buyer?

"Generally, you'll need the cooperation of the primary account holder to remove your name as a co-signer since, in many cases, it requires a new agreement with the lender to do so," says Leslie Tayne, a financial attorney and founder and managing director of New York's Tayne Law Group, which specializes in debt ...

Can a borrower sell a house without the co-borrower?

You both must agree to sell it. You may even have challenges selling your interest property.

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 co-buyer take possession of the car?

Yes. Each of your have a right to keep the vehicle in your posession. However, if you try to get the vehicle from the other owner, you cannot breach the peace to take it, and example: you cannot break into a garage or somethng like that.

Can a co-borrower be on a loan but not on title?

Generally, co-borrowers share the title of the home. But this isn't always the case since the loan and the title are separate. Be aware that if you're a co-borrower and your name isn't on the title, you'll still be responsible for paying off the mortgage – but won't have the right to use the house.

What happens if a co-borrower on a mortgage dies?

In most cases, the responsibility of the mortgage will be passed to the beneficiary of the home if there is a will. If you applied for your mortgage with a co-borrower or co-signer, the solution is relatively simple: The other party must continue paying the loan.

What is the difference between a co-borrower and a joint borrower?

And if the loan is approved, both borrowers are equally responsible for repayment and have equal access to the funds. A joint loan allows you to borrow the money you need and distribute the cost of your loan with another person, who is called a co-borrower.

Can I sue my ex for not paying the mortgage?

You can take legal action against them for breaching the agreement you both made or seek a court order to force the sale of the property. It's important to consult with a lawyer to understand your legal rights and options and to make the best decisions for your situation.

Can you take over someone's mortgage without refinancing?

You can take over someone else's mortgage using an assumable mortgage. Assumable mortgages are a great way to get into a home if you're looking to buy or sell, or even just do some property flipping.

How do I remove one person from a joint mortgage?

Removing a name from a mortgage is a very similar process to remortgaging. You'll need to let your existing mortgage lender know the changes you're planning so that they can carry out calculations, ensuring you can afford to meet their lender criteria and monthly payments.

Does a co-borrower have rights to the property?

While both share the financial responsibility, a co-signer is not included on the property's title and does not have ownership rights. In contrast, a co-borrower is listed on both the mortgage and the title, holding an ownership stake in the property.

Can a co-borrower repossess a car?

Co-signing on a car means you`re responsible for paying if the first party fails to, it has no condition on you having possession of the car. You don`t `repossess`, the lender does because their name is on the title is a lien holder. If you don`t want to pay for it then you should not have co-signed.

Is a co-borrower responsible for debt?

Potential Challenges and Risks

Shared Liability: One of the main risks of co-borrowing is that both parties are equally responsible for the loan. If one co-borrower defaults on payments or becomes unable to fulfill their financial obligations, the other co-borrower is still legally liable for the remaining debt.

Can you take someone's name off a mortgage without refinancing?

If you want to remove a name from a joint mortgage loan, whether it is your name or the name of your co-borrower, it is possible to do so without refinancing. This situation might occur if a relationship breaks up or a living situation changes. However, each option has its downside and may not be successful.

What happens if I can't refinance after divorce?

Legal Remedies When Refinancing Isn't Feasible

If the spouse who wishes to keep the home cannot successfully refinance it after the divorce, several legal remedies and options may come into play: Sell the Home: One option is to sell the marital home and divide the proceeds as agreed upon in the divorce settlement.

Can a child assume a parent's mortgage?

A family member (or sometimes even non-relatives) can assume an existing mortgage on a home they've inherited. If one person is awarded sole ownership of a property in divorce proceedings, that person can assume the full existing mortgage themselves.