I'm not a legal expert, but IMO a borrower is a borrower is a borrower. If they sign the note, they are liable for the debt.
However, some states, like my own California, have disclosure requirements for a true "co-signer" (one who signs the note but does not receive benefit from the loan). If a true "co-signer" is not provided with this specific notice, then their liability is supposedly unenforcable.
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Tom Easterday, CRCM
Opinions stated are my own and not necessarily those of my employer!