Can you take legal action against a cosigner?

Asked by: Darien Gleichner  |  Last update: August 28, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (10 votes)

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 legal action can a cosigner take?

But most states allow cosigners to take primary borrowers to court in the following situations: Cross claims: If you default on or fail to repay the loan, the lender could sue the cosigner for the money owed. The cosigner may then be able to sue you for the money that the lender is trying to recover.

How can I legally get out of a cosigned loan?

lenders do not remove co signers from loans. The debt has to be retired. This can be done by paying it off directly or refinancing the loan.

Can a cosigner be held accountable?

If the primary borrower fails to meet their financial obligations on a loan or lease, the co-signer is held accountable for any missed payments. A co-signed debt will also appear on the co-signer's credit reports and can influence their credit scores as if the debt were their own.

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.

Can car loan cosigner take possession of the car?

38 related questions found

How much rights does a cosigner have?

No. Cosigning a loan doesn't give you any title, ownership, or other rights to the property the loan is paying for. Your only role is to repay the loan if the main borrower falls behind on the payments or defaults.

Can a cosigner get in trouble?

You are just as liable on the debt as the original borrower.

Sometimes, by a lot. You are saying that the lender can try to get you to pay without first trying to get the borrower to pay. You are saying the lender can sue you if the borrower does not pay. You are tying up your credit.

Can a cosigner go to jail?

However, in certain legal circumstances, the cosigner may face jail time. For example, in a case where the co-signer helped to facilitate the defendant's flight, provided false contact information, or in any way assisted the defendant in evading prosecution.

Can you kick a cosigner out?

Removing your cosigner leaves just you to cover any late or missed monthly payments, so some lenders might make it difficult to remove the second person. Before you can remove a cosigner, you may have to prove that your finances and/or credit score have improved since getting the loan.

What ownership does a cosigner have?

A co-signer applies for the home loan right along with you. However, they are not on the title of the home. The co-signers name is only on the loan, meaning that while they are financially responsible for paying back the mortgage, they do not have ownership of the property.

Can a cosigner be removed after 6 months?

When your credit score improves, you have the option to remove the co-signer from your loan. You can remove the co-signer by refinancing your auto loan, receiving a co-signer release or paying off the loan.

What happens if you don't pay back a cosigned loan?

If the borrower does not repay the loan, you may be forced to repay the whole amount of the loan, plus interest and any late fees that have accrued. With most cosigned loans, the lender is not required to pursue the main borrower first, but can request payment from the cosigner any time there is a missed payment.

Can I remove myself as a cosigner?

Fortunately, you can have your name removed, but you will have to take the appropriate steps depending on the cosigned loan type. Basically, you have two options: You can enable the main borrower to assume total control of the debt or you can get rid of the debt entirely.

How do I 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.

Can a cosigner be held liable?

A cosigner on a loan is legally responsible for the debt if the primary borrower defaults. Cosigning a loan will show up on your credit report and can impact your credit score if the primary borrower pays late or defaults. Cosigners may sign for student loans, personal loans, credit cards, and even mortgages.

Can a cosigner take my house?

Will I have ownership of the property if I cosign? No, you will not take on ownership if you're only a mortgage cosigner and not an actual co-borrower. As a cosigner, you're only guaranteeing the loan payment.

Can you sue a cosigner?

A cosigner can be sued for a car accident, but only in certain situations. Most of the time, the driver who caused an accident, and not the cosigner, can be sued. In some states, however, there are exceptions that hold the cosigner liable even if they were not involved in the accident.

Can I remove a cosigner without refinancing?

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.

How to get a co-signer release?

Apply to release your cosigner
  1. Provide proof of graduation or completion of a certificate program.
  2. Be old enough to enter a legally binding contract where you live.
  3. Be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident at the time you submit the request.
  4. Provide proof of income.

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.

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 cosigner revoke your bond?

Co-signers have various rights to revoke a bond under California law. Therefore, contracts aren't always binding. However, guarantors must fulfill legal requirements to remove their names from bail bonds. The best approach is for co-signers to remove their names before defendants leave jail after their arrest.

Can a cosigner take me to court?

If you're the primary borrower on a debt, your cosigner can take you to court for: Recovery of money paid: they can sue you to recover the money they've paid towards the loan. Fraud: they can sue you if you signed their name to the loan without their permission.

What happens to cosigner if I don't pay rent?

You would be sued if the rent is not paid. You are jointly and severally liable for the lease when you are a co-signer. This means that if the rent is not paid, the Landlord can pursue all persons on the lease or just one person.

Can you take back being a cosigner?

Some lenders have a release option for co-signers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A release can be obtained after a certain number of on-time payments and a credit check of the original borrower to determine whether they are now creditworthy.