Who is taking responsibility for repaying a loan if someone fails to pay?

Asked by: Mr. Michael King  |  Last update: February 12, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (30 votes)

A cosigner is not the main borrower. When you cosign a loan, you agree to be responsible for someone else's debt. If the main borrower misses payments, you must make the payments. If the main borrower misses payments or stops making payments (also called defaulting), you must repay the loan.

What happens if someone takes a loan and can't pay it back?

The loan goes into default and the lending institution will foreclose on any collatarel if you had any. If you had none then they would more that likely after trying to get you make the payments and or get you to pay the loan back they could turn your account over to a collection agency for their collecting the debt.

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.

Who agrees to repay a loan if the borrower does not repay it?

What is an Endorser? An endorser is someone who agrees to repay a Direct PLUS Loan if the borrower doesn't repay the loan, much like a cosigner does for other types of loans.

What actions can creditors take when individuals fail to pay their loans?

Debt Collector Contacting Your Employer or Other People

To get your location information; To garnish your wages (that is, taking payment from your paycheck), but only after it sued you and a court entered a judgment against you; If the debt is a medical debt, to find out whether you have medical insurance; or.

OppU Lesson 11: What Happens If You Don't Repay a Loan?

23 related questions found

What is taking responsibility for repaying a loan if someone fails to pay?

A cosigner is not the main borrower. When you cosign a loan, you agree to be responsible for someone else's debt. If the main borrower misses payments, you must make the payments. If the main borrower misses payments or stops making payments (also called defaulting), you must repay the loan.

How do I sue someone for not paying back my loan?

Depending on your circumstances and the type of case, you may be able to have legal aid provided without having to pay an attorney fee.
  1. Step 1: Filing Your Complaint and Paying Filing Fees. ...
  2. Step 2: Serving the Lawsuit and Court Dates. ...
  3. Step 3: Attend Court Hearing. ...
  4. Step 4: Final Ruling and Collecting Debt.

Who promises to pay if the borrower fails to pay?

A guarantor is a party that promises to pay a debt if a debtor fails to pay. A guarantor does not have a legal claim to the property, while a co-signer does.

Is it illegal to not pay back a loan?

Though failure to repay a loan is not a criminal offense, some payday lenders have succeeded in using bad-check laws to file criminal complaints against borrowers, with judges erroneously rubber-stamping the complaints.

What happens if the borrower fails to repay the loan?

Under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, the lender has the prerogative to file a case against you in court and demand their money back. Also, if you identify as a wilful defaulter, the lender can press criminal charges under sections 403 and 415 of the IPC, 1860 against you.

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.

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.

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 you go to the police if someone owes you money?

Can I call the police if someone owes me money? You can, but they won't do anything about it. Debt collection is a civil matter. You'd need to sue in small claims court.

What happens if a friend borrows money and doesn't pay back?

If you can't resolve the loan dispute on your own, consider legal action. Unfortunately, that's not a reality for everyone. When clear, consistent payment reminders and communication don't work, lenders may consider legal action to collect an unpaid loan. Seek legal advice before proceeding with any legal action.

How often do debt collectors take you to court?

More frequently than most consumers probably realize. While precise statistics are difficult to come by, legal experts estimate that several million debt collection lawsuits get filed across the United States every single year.

What happens if someone doesn't pay back a loan?

Failing to pay could result in your account going into default, the balance being sent to collections, your lender taking legal action against you and your credit score dropping significantly.

Can you go to jail for owing someone money?

It's possible to serve jail time if you've failed to pay your federal taxes or make child support payments. You can't go to jail merely for owing credit card, student loan, personal loan or other types of debt, which we'll explain below.

Is defaulting on a loan a crime?

Defaulting on a loan is not a crime, and in most debt situations, you can't be arrested for it. It's illegal for debt collectors to threaten you with jail‌ time. However, there are times when debts could lead to an arrest.

When a borrower fails to pay the debt owed?

A default occurs when a borrower stops making required payments on a debt. Defaults can occur on secured debt, such as a mortgage loan secured by a house, or on unsecured debt, such as credit cards or student loans. Defaults expose borrowers to legal claims and may limit their future access to credit opportunities.

What is the name for someone who doesn't pay debts?

Debtors can also be someone who files a voluntary petition to declare bankruptcy. Debtors can't go to jail for unpaid consumer debts.

Who agrees to be responsible for loan payments if another person fails to make them?

What does it mean to co-sign a loan? A co-signer is a person who agrees to take legal responsibility for someone else's debt. 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.

Is it worth suing someone with no money?

Essentially, you might think suing someone with no money is futile, but that's not the case. The law protects your rights and allows you to seek compensation if someone causes you harm or loss, regardless of their financial status.

What to do if someone won't pay you back?

What to Do If Someone Owes You Money and Won't Pay Back
  1. Introduction: ...
  2. Open Communication: Establish a Paper Trail. ...
  3. Send a Demand Letter. ...
  4. Small Claims Court. ...
  5. Mediation. ...
  6. Arbitration. ...
  7. File a Lawsuit in Civil Court. ...
  8. Obtaining a Judgment.

How much does a lawyer cost to sue someone?

Hourly basis: A lawyer who works with you on an hourly basis will charge you for each hour of the time they give you. Hourly rates will vary depending on the layer and your case but can range anywhere from $199 to $295 per hour.