Cosigning a loan is rarely advisable because it makes you 100% legally responsible for the debt without ownership of the asset. It puts your credit score at risk for the borrower's mistakes, increases your debt-to-income ratio—hindering your own ability to borrow—and can severely damage relationships.
It can affect your credit scores.
Because a co-signed loan is recorded on your credit reports, any late or missed payments can have a negative impact on your credit scores. If the borrower defaults on the loan and ceases payment, the debt may be referred to a collection agency.
The lender can sue the cosigner for interest, late fees, and any attorney's fees involved in collection. If the primary borrower falls on hard times financially and cannot make payments, AND the cosigner fails to make the payments, the lender may also decide to pursue garnishment of the wages of the cosigner.
God's view of consigning or guaranteeing a debt
Although the Bible doesn't specifically use the word "cosign(ing)," it definitely addresses the topic and instructs us against doing it. In the book of Proverbs, a book of wisdom, we find several passages that provide the perspective God has on this practice.
Co-signers cannot remove themselves from a loan or be removed by the primary borrower. A co-signer's obligation is eliminated when the loan is paid off or refinanced without their involvement.
Proverbs 22:7 means that wealth brings power, while debt creates servitude, famously stating, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender". It's a warning about the bondage of debt, showing that borrowing money puts you under the lender's control until the debt is settled, highlighting the importance of financial independence and living within your means to avoid this servitude.
In Luke 6:34-35a, Jesus tells a crowd of people, “And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”
The 3-7-3 Rule in mortgages isn't a loan type but a federal timeline from the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule, ensuring borrower protection by mandating disclosures within 3 business days of application, a 7-business-day wait between the initial Loan Estimate and closing, and another 3-day wait if significant changes (like APR) occur, giving borrowers time to review costs before committing to a loan.
A cosigner remains legally tied to the loan until the balance is fully repaid, unless they are removed through refinancing or a formal cosigner release process. This means the loan will continue to appear on the cosigner's credit report, and any missed payments can affect their credit score.
How Can You Spot A Predatory Loan?
You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow” Deuteronomy 28:12. In this passage, God casts a vision for His faithful and obedient people who would be “the head and not the tail.” One of the manifestations of their strength and leadership is that they are lenders not borrowers.
Get a loan release
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.
Legitimate lenders perform credit checks, verify income, and assess your ability to repay. If they skip that process, they're likely betting on your desperation. A lack of physical presence or poor customer service access is a major red flag.
Agree On The Amount Being Borrowed
Before anything can go into writing, both parties must agree on how much is being borrowed. There's no legal limit on how much one family member can loan another, but loans over $10,000 will have certain tax requirements, which we'll look at more closely below.
With a 700 credit score (considered "Good"), you're well-positioned to get approved for most major loans like mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans with more competitive interest rates and terms than someone with a lower score, plus you'll qualify for better rewards credit cards and may even see lower insurance premiums. You can access a wide range of financial products, but to get the best rates, scores above 740-760 are often needed.