being sued by my co signer, what kind of attorney do i need

by Elenora McKenzie Jr. 8 min read

You need a personal injury attorney, or, more generally, a civil litigation attorney.

Full Answer

Can you sue a co-signer for any reason?

Oct 10, 2012 · Or if you want, bankruptcy can instead protect your co-signer. Let’s look at two essentially opposite scenarios involving you and your co-signer getting sued on a debt you both owe: 1) You’ve had a falling out with the co-signer, and all you care about is escaping the debt; or. 2) You believe you have a moral duty to protect the co-signer ...

Can a co-signer be held liable for other debts?

Oct 04, 2019 · Yes. You need a civil litgation attorney. The attorney would likely have to sue for indemnity and to force that the payments be made, to the extent the co-borrower has money. Dave. Contact 602.266.0531 for a legal consult or visit degnanlawaz.com for more information, as this is not intended to be legal advice.

Can a lender demand payment from a co-signer?

May 25, 2021 · A cosigner takes on all the rights and responsibilities of a loan along with the borrower. This means that if the borrower can’t make a …

Can a creditor sue a co-signer in Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

May 26, 2016 · In most cases, the co-signer would need to have strong credit in order to receive approval for the loan. Some people assume if they file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, loans that were co-signed by someone else will be eliminated in much the same way as the rest of their debt. Unfortunately, co-signers are still held liable even if other debts are ...

Can cosigner sue you?

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.Sep 15, 2021

Can you sue to be removed as a cosigner?

If the borrower forged your signature, or if they committed fraud to enforce you to sign the loan contract, you can sue both the lender and the primary borrower to have your name removed.May 9, 2017

Can a co borrower sue a co borrower?

If the borrower and co-signer cannot repay a loan, the lender can sue the co-signer to garnish wages and even property in order to satisfy the repayment. Co-signers can lose their property if the loan defaults.

What rights do a co signer have?

A cosigner doesn't have any legal rights to the car they've cosigned for, so they can't take a vehicle from its owner. Cosigners have the same obligations as the primary borrower if the loan goes into default, but the lender is going to contact the cosigner to make sure the loan gets paid before this point.

What happens when the person you cosigned for doesn't pay?

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.

What can you do when you cosign and they don'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.

Can a co signer sue the primary borrower?

One option that's available: A cosigner does have the right to sue the primary borrower to recover the funds spent making loan payments. It will then be up to the court to decide whether to award damages to the cosigner and if, so in what amount. When deciding whether to sue, take court costs into account.Jan 12, 2022

What can I do if I cosigned?

If you co-signed for a loan and want to remove your name, there are some steps you can take:Get a co-signer release. Some loans have a program that will release a co-signer's obligation after a certain number of consecutive on-time payments have been made. ... Refinance or consolidate. ... Sell the asset and pay off the loan.

Can you sue someone for not paying on a loan you cosigned for?

About Co-Signers and Loans It will go on your credit report, and the lender will come after you if the borrower doesn't pay. Co-signing a loan doesn't remove your legal rights, though, and you can sue the borrower for any legitimate cause of action.Jan 29, 2019

How do I protect myself as a cosigner?

Here are 10 ways to protect yourself when co-signing.Act like a bank. ... Review the agreement together. ... Be the primary account holder. ... Collateralize the deal. ... Create your own contract. ... Set up alerts. ... Check in, respectfully. ... Insure your assets.More items...•Feb 19, 2013

What is the co-signer legally responsible for?

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.

Does a cosigner go on the title?

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.

What is a cosigner on a loan?

A co-signer is a person who has agreed to guarantee the debt of another individual but does not receive any of the loan proceeds. In other words, a co-signer is responsible for the debt if the borrower does not make payments or defaults on the loan entirely.

What happens if the primary signer on a loan stops making payments?

If the primary signer on the loan stops making payments or falls behind, you can request a co-signer release. This is a form that the primary borrower will need to sign off on releasing you from the obligations of the loan.

Why are secured loans riskier?

Secured loans are riskier for borrowers because there’s collateral on the line — a house, a car or another piece of property. Any added risk for the primary borrower is added risk for the co-signer, too. (For example, a HELOC might seem like an easy way for you to help your child pay off a massive medical debt, but it also puts their house at risk. If they can’t keep up their HELOC payments, as well as their current mortgage loan, where will that leave you?)

Who can apply for a loan alongside the primary borrower?

There are two types of parties that can apply for a loan alongside the primary borrower: a co-signer and a co-borrower. In both situations, all parties are legally responsible for the debt that’s being taken out. The credit scores and financial details of both parties are also considered in the application.

Is it worth cosigning a loan?

If you’re co-signing a loan to help your child go to college or build up credit early on, then the risk may be worth it in the long run. If you’re simply helping a friend pay off credit card debt or buy a car that’s outside of their price range, it’s probably not the best move for you or for them.

Does cosigner hurt credit?

Credit impact. It’s important to understand that serving as a co-signer can ultimately hurt your credit score if the borrower makes payments late, since any actions on the loan are tied to both the primary borrower’s and your credit reports.

Why do lenders require cosigners?

This backup responsibility was the lender’s entire reason for requesting a co-signer – to ensure someone will be able to pay the debt if the primary borrower is unable to. Co-signers are common, especially for people who have little to no credit, or for those whose credit is less than perfect.

What happens if you cosign a loan?

If you are a loan co-signer, there is little you can do if the debt is legitimate and the borrower for whom you co-signed is unwilling to take responsibility for it. The debt for which you are now responsible can affect your credit and wreak havoc in your life if you refuse to pay it.

What are the benefits of filing for bankruptcy?

One of the benefits of filing for bankruptcy is stopping the creditor harassment that comes with overdue bills. Once you file, lenders are restricting from contacting you. However, if you have loans with co-signers, lenders are free to pursue the co-signer and demand payment.

Can you sue cosigners for bankruptcy?

Creditors are also able to sue co-signers for payment if the primary borrower files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, as long as it is within the statute of limitations. Statutes of limitation vary from state to state. You can find more information about your state’s statute of limitations on debt here.

Can you borrow money with a low credit score?

Many people with low credit scores who find getting a loan difficult are sometimes able to borrow money if they have a co-signer. Co-signers accept legal liability for a loan, and essentially vouch for the person applying for the loan, agreeing to repay the money if the primary borrower is unable or unwilling to do so.

James B. Heston

Here is some info that may be helpful in your situation.#N#THE LAWSUIT IS LIKELY AGAINST BOTH OF YOU: Usually, National Collegiate Student Loan Trust (NCSLT) sues both the student and the co-signer. It looks like that is what has happened in your case. (There are other student loan lenders that file...

Lu Ann Trevino

If the attorney suing to collect is located Lubbock, chances are good that there are some strong defenses available to you and your child. The liability for this debt is joint and several meaning they don't care if they get the judgment against one or the other or both of you.

Richard Glenn Elie

I think the first thing you want to do is check on the statute of limitations and see how long its been since the loan, absent deferments and such, has actually been in default.#N#If the statute of limitations has passed, then there is no basis to sue either you or...

Michael Wayne Weston

If this is a private student loan lawsuit, it is likely National Collegiate Trust. They have been suing many borrowers lately in Houston. The lawsuit means that they are trying to get a judgment against you and your child for the debt.

What happens if you sue a cosigner?

If you sue a co-signer, you may bring your claim in small claims court if it is a monetary dispute under a certain amount. Each state set their own limits on what cases can be brought in small claims court. If you do bring your claim against your co-signer in small claims court, you will likely represent yourself and ask a judge to make a finding that the co-signer is responsible for paying you the amount of money you are suing for. In small claims court, you will present evidence about the claim you made and any documentation that proves that your co-signer is responsible for the harm you suffered.

What is a cross complaint?

Borrower Cross-Complaints. A cross-complaint is a complaint filed against an additional party in a lawsuit. If the lender sues you for not repaying the loan after the borrower defaults, you can file a cross-complaint against the borrower. You'll still be required to repay the lending company, but your cross-complaint will allow you ...

How to protect yourself from a loan?

One way to protect yourself from lenders is to ask the borrower to indemnify you when you sign the loan. This means he'll take responsibility if you are sued for failure to repay the loan. Try getting the borrower to sign such an agreement and you'll be able to sue.

Who is Van Thompson?

Van Thompson is an attorney and writer. A former martial arts instructor, he holds bachelor's degrees in music and computer science from Westchester University, and a juris doctor from Georgia State University. He is the recipient of numerous writing awards, including a 2009 CALI Legal Writing Award.

What happens when you cosign a loan?

When you co-sign a loan, you’re not merely offering up your credit history for approval purposes. You’re agreeing to assume responsibility for the debt if the other person cannot make the payments. 2 . Because you're agreeing to be responsible for the loans you co-signed, you face all the consequences of missed payments or loan defaults.

Who is Latoya Irby?

LaToya Irby is an expert on credit cards, credit scores and monitoring, budgeting, and banking products and services. She holds a degree in business from the University of Alabama. Somer G. Anderson is an Accounting and Finance Professor with a passion for increasing the financial literacy of American consumers.

Can you sue someone for unpaid debt?

You May Be Sued. The lender can file a lawsuit against you for any unpaid part of the debt, even if they don't sue the person you co-signed for. Or they may sell your debt to a collection agency, who then tries to get back as much as they can by suing you.

Can a cosigner be released from a loan?

Sometimes, a lender may allow for a cosigner to be released from the loan agreement if the original borrower successfully makes a number of consecutive, timely payments. If that borrower is deemed likely to continue to make payments, the lender may agree to release you from the loan. 1  It's worth checking to see if your lender offers this ...

Does delinquency affect credit?

Such a delinquency will show up on your credit report and affect your credit. You are held just as liable for the loan as the person you co-signed for. You would not only have to assume the payments but deal with your lowered credit score at the same time.

What to do if you do nothing in a lawsuit?

If you do nothing, the plaintiff can – and probably will! – ask the court for a default judgment. You may have other options as well. The best way to evaluate your options is to speak to a lawyer. An attorney might be able to identify defenses that apply to you or even help you settle your case out of court.

What happens next if you file an answer in a civil case?

What happens next will depend on what you filed. If you filed an answer, the case will move forward. To see how a civil case moves through the district court or justice court, click on these flowcharts:#N#Flowchart - Civil Case in District Court#N#Flowchart - Civil Case in Justice Court

What does it mean when you receive a summons and complaint?

Overview. If you have received a summons and complaint, that probably means you are being sued. Being sued can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. Although it might be tempting to ignore a summons and complaint, ignoring a lawsuit does not make it go away.

How long do you have to respond to a lawsuit?

However you decide to respond to the lawsuit, remember there are deadlines to take action. Typically, you have twenty calendar days from when you received the summons and complaint (not counting the day of service) to file a response with the court. But that time might be shorter in some cases.

What is an answer in a lawsuit?

An answer is your opportunity to respond to the complaint’s factual allegations and legal claims. It also allows you to assert "affirmative defenses," facts or legal arguments you raise to defeat plaintiff’s claim. Filing an answer prevents the plaintiff from getting a default judgment against you.

What is a counterclaim?

Compulsory counterclaims. If your claim arises out of the same transaction that underlies the plaintiff's claim , you have a “compulsory counterclaim.”. If you do not file a counterclaim in plaintiff’s case, you will lose the right to file a separate lawsuit.

Why do you file a motion to dismiss?

File a motion to dismiss or for a more definite statement. There are a number of reasons why you might file a motion to dismiss, including: Lack of jurisdiction. In other words, the court does not have jurisdiction over you. Click to visit Deciding Where to File for more information about jurisdiction.

What to do if your insurance company does not provide legal counsel?

If the insurance company does not provide legal counsel, you should identify, interview, and engage a litigation attorney.

What to do if you don't have an attorney?

If you have insurance, you should submit the lawsuit to your insurance company and they will provide an attorney free of charge. If you do not have an attorney, you should contact one as soon as possible. Report Abuse. Report Abuse.

What happens if you don't have insurance?

If you do not have insurance, then you should not have been on the road at all. You will have to hire a personal injury attorney; they usually advertise on TV, billboards, lavatory walls, buses, and any structure or medium possible. Of course, you will have to pay up front. so, it is always best to have auto insurance.

What to do if you don't have insurance on your car?

If you did not have insurance then you need to hire an attorney that handles civil matters to determine what is the best approach to take. Report Abuse.

What to do if you have auto insurance?

If you have auto insurance put them on notice and they will hire an attorney to defend you. If not you need a lawyer that practices in the area of civil defense.