Co-signer on a student loan could be forced to repay the entire amount of the loan, plus interest in the event of default. Expenses may include the costs of the lender's collection efforts as well.

Q: My husband co-signed for my niece on a loan for college tuition 12 years ago. This was not a government loan. Over the years, she has frequently been behind in payments, and once or twice he stepped in to help. About a year ago, she stopped making any payments at all, and he is getting frequent calls and letters from a collection agency threatening litigation. My husband is not concerned at all. Could my husband be forced to pay the full amount of the loan?

A: Yes, he could be forced to repay the entire amount of the loan, plus interest. He may be required to........

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