Can you sue primary borrower?

Asked by: Camila Bins  |  Last update: March 9, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (22 votes)

In many cases, cosigners have the right to take the primary borrower to court for failing to repay the loan. But their rights typically end there.

Can a primary borrower be removed from a mortgage?

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.

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 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.

Can I sue someone for not paying a loan I cosigned?

You will have to sue the person for the debt. Whenyou co-sign a loan you agree to be liable to the lender in case the borrower does not pay. BUT you have no control over the situation. When the borrower does not pay you have to, and then you have to sue the borrower to get a judgment to try to get your money back.

"I Co-Signed for A Friend, Can I Sue Them?"

37 related questions found

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.

When a borrower fails to repay a cosigned loan?

If you cosign a debt and the borrower doesn't pay, in most every case you will be responsible for the entire debt. And, the lender does not have to try to collect from the borrower. It can look to you even if it might be possible for it to collect from the borrower.

Can a cosigner remove the primary borrower?

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.

How can co-signers protect themselves?

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.

How do I get out of a cosigned student loan?

Another popular way to release a cosigner is through student loan refinancing. Refinancing is when you take out a new loan to pay off your old ones. If you have multiple loans, your refinancing lender will pay all those off and issue you a single new loan with new terms. That includes a new interest rate.

Does it matter who is the primary borrower on a car loan?

The potential risks of co-signing an auto loan

If the primary borrower doesn't make their monthly loan payment, you will be asked to make the payment. Any missed payments could also appear on your credit reports and impact your credit scores, making it harder for you to get credit in the future.

Can you repossess a car you cosigned?

Keep in mind that a cosigner can't take possession of a car they've cosigned for. A cosigner doesn't have any legal rights to the vehicle, so they can't take a car from its rightful owner, the primary borrower.

Who owns the car the borrower or co-borrower?

Co-borrower: A co-borrower shares financial responsibility and ownership of the car from day one. Their name will likely appear on the car title with the other borrower. Both borrowers typically contribute toward monthly payments.

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 you remove someone from a car loan without refinancing?

But if your circumstances change over time or your credit score improves and you would like to remove the co-signer from your loan, there are three primary options. You can refinance, get a co-signer release or pay off the loan.

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 sue a co-signer?

If there are two people on a loan one person can't just pay their “half” and expect to be left alone. They are responsible for the full amount left owing. The creditor will typically sue both parties. If the creditor wants to, they can pick and choose which of the two “cosigners” they want to sue.

What happens if you cosign a car loan and the person doesn't pay?

Usually, when you cosign a car loan, you agree to be responsible for the debt if the primary debtor doesn't make payments or otherwise defaults on the loan. If the primary debtor defaults on the loan, then the creditor has the right to repossess the car and sell it.

What legal rights does a cosigner have?

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.

How do I get my name off a cosigned mortgage?

Your best option to get your name off a large cosigned loan is to have the person who's using the money refinance the loan without your name on the new loan. Another option is to help the borrower improve their credit history.

Can a primary borrower take possession of the car?

In other words, if you wanted to get in the car and drive away with it, you'd have the right to do so, since (presumably) you're the owner of the car as well (this does not apply if you're only a co-signer on a loan). You could also take the co-signer to court for financial damages.

Can I kick a cosigner out of my house?

Removing a cosigner or co-borrower from a mortgage almost always requires paying off the loan in full or refinancing by getting a new loan in your own name. Under rare circumstances, though, the lender may allow you to take over an existing mortgage from your other signer.

What is the most likely outcome when a borrower fails to repay a loan?

Failing to repay a loan can have serious consequences for your finances and credit. Initially, you may be hit with late fees and an increase in your loan's interest rate. If nonpayment continues, the lender might send your account to a collections agency, further damaging your credit score.

What happens if you don't pay back a cosign loan on time?

If the account goes unpaid for long enough, the lender could hire a collection agency to help them seek payment. The debt collector or lender may choose to sue you as the cosigner for the unpaid balance, causing you to rack up thousands in attorney fees and court costs on top of the debt that's owed.

What happens if a borrower does not repay a loan?

If you don't pay back a personal loan, you may be hit with penalties and fees, damage to your credit, default, collections and even potential legal action if you continue not to pay.