Those of you who recently filed bankruptcy (and those bad credit scores) may be tempted, like I was, to ask a friend, parent or relative to co-sign on a loan with you.

Don't do it.

It weakens your position with lenders. Once a lender sees a co-signer on one of your loans—the lender will question your stability and move into “cover their butt" mode. And the way lenders cover their butts, is by forcing you to get a co-signer on your next loan...and the loan after that...and the loan after that.

Bottom line: When you have an existing co-signed loan—the chance of a lender requiring a co-signer on your next loan increases significantly.

There are right ways to recover from bankruptcy (or just rebuild bad credit) properly and quickly. But having a co-signer only delays your recovery and sets you up for complications along the way.

If you are unable to qualify for the credit you need...take it as a sign that it is not meant to be...until you can qualify on your own.

What if you are asked to become a co-signer?

I have a core belief...and it goes something like this, “Lend people money only if you can afford not to get it back and you won't hold a grudge if you don't—but never ever lend people your credit."

If you're thinking about co-signing for someone...

Don't do it.

There is too much at stake.

If the borrower defaults on the loan, two things will happen to your credit reports and FICO credit scores:

1. If the loan goes into default, the lender looks to you to make the payment(s)...so have your checkbook ready.
2. Each time the loan becomes 30 days past due, a late payment will appear on your credit report(s) for up to 7 years...and as a result your credit scores will be lower than they could be.

Additionally, when you co-sign...

1. The payment you co-signed for is calculated in your debt-to-income ratio. So going in debt for someone else could actually prevent you from getting the credit you need when you need it. And it could increase the cost of credit since your scores may be lower.
2. When each lender reviews your credit report(s) to consider the loan, they will post a credit inquiry that will lower your credit scores.
3. Your own credit card interest rates could skyrocket due to the added debt. In what is becoming more common practice, credit card issuers are reviewing your credit reports and looking for how much debt you have with other companies.
4. The added debt could lower your insurance credit scores to the point where it could impact your ability to get or keep homeowner's and auto insurance or cause your premiums to increase.

As you can see, there is very little value in co-signing a loan. But there is a lot of downside risk.

And these days your credit score is about more than just your ability to obtain credit...it's about your insurance rates and almost everything else in your financial life.

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