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Will a BK for one party affect the credit of a co-signer?


Denita
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There is a car loan outstanding (no equity, car value less than loan). If the co-signer files a BK, how will it affect the other persons credit? The other person is a family member, but not a spouse. Will the TL read BK?

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I recently went through the same thing with my wife and FIL. FIL filed BK, but since we proved to the BK Lawyer that the car was in my wife's pocession, she is making the payments and is her only vehicle, it was not included in the BK. You'll probably have to meet with the BK Lawyer and fill out some paper work, but shouldn't be an issue.

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Unless the primary signer defaults, the co-signer isn't even legally liable. If it's truly the co-signer that's filing BK, there should be no impact on the primary. If the BK shows up on the non-filing person's reports, it should be pretty easy to dispute.

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I do not know which is considered the primary - the family member that is NOT going BK is the one paying and has possession of the car. The title is in both names. Do you consider the primary the 1st one on the title and payment book? Or doesn't it matter? Just want to make sure the family member is not hurt in any way

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The primary, as far as the loan is concerned, is the person listed as primary in the loan papers

Put simply, this is usually the first name on the loan.

Example:

Person B

Person A

Address

City, State, Zip

"Person B" in this case is the primary.

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Ok then, the primary is going to file a BK. The vehicle was purchased about 14 mths ago and the person paying and with possession of the car is the other party, not the primary. It has been that way from day one. The loan is current and payments are made on time each and every mth. If the primary files BK, then does the BK reference attach to the TL so that it shows on the co-signers report?

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IMO, the co-signer can dispute it off. The co-signer has no liability and did not include it in any bankruptcy of theirs. *But now the filer has to either redeem, reaffirm, surrender, or in some judicial districts ride-through the bankruptcy. It can be a bit more complicated because the BK'er is not the one using the car or in possession of it. So they must disclose this in their schedules.

Does the car have equity?

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Thank you for the quick response. No. There is no equity in the car. In fact, best case the car loan is $1000 more than value, but more likely the loan is $3000 more than value (depending upon which valuation site you use)

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It should not affect the co-signer's credit file at all. Since the co-signer did not default and has not filed bankruptcy themselves, their tradeline MUST be updated as if the account is in good standing. Anything less is a false statement in the credit file and a violation of not only the FCRA but the bankruptcy stay and injunction.

The bankruptcy stay and injunction order protect not just the person who filed bankruptcy but also the co-signers from retalitory conduct by creditors.

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