Sibling rivalry is not the only problem found in the hierarchy of many modern families. Instead, one sibling's dependence upon another both during childhood and later as adults is often an ongoing issue that creates tension and discomfort within the family unit. When the dependent sibling acts irresponsibly, they may fully expect the assistance of their sibling to help them resolve the situation.
One such instance of this type of sibling dependence occurs when risky behavior results in legal trouble and an arrest warrant. A sibling who has grown accustomed to being dependent on a brother or sister will undoubtedly expect them to agree to cosign their bail bond so that they can remain free until their court date.
If you are that sibling—the one that is always depended upon for a solution to another sibling's problems—there are some critical things to consider before you agree to help them by cosigning their bail bond.
Civil responsibility
While you will not be criminally prosecuted if your sibling fails to meet the terms of their bond, you can be held civilly and financially responsible for the full amount of the bond. When you willingly agree to cosign a bail bond, you are accepting financial responsibility, much the same as you would if you were cosigning a bank loan or credit card application for someone else.
Potential legal issues
As stated above, you would not be criminally liable for your sibling's actions; however, there are a few potential legal issues that might affect you. Failing to notify the bail bond agent when a sibling absconds from their bond agreement can create potential legal liability, as can allowing them to stay in your home after failing to meet their bond terms, especially if they are considered to be a fugitive under the law.
Ineligibility concerns
When asked by a sibling to act as the cosigner on their bail bond, you should also know that you may be ineligible to do so. Potential reasons for being considered ineligible to cosign a bail bond include the following:
Applicable laws regarding who can and cannot cosign a bail bond can vary widely by state or by legal jurisdiction. Information and verification are available through the court system where your sibling is being held, as well as through a local bail bond agent.
Teachable moments
While the risks involved in becoming a bail bond cosigner are serious and should always be carefully considered, the situation can also provide the unexpected benefit of being a teachable moment. If you choose to agree to become your sibling's bail bond cosigner, you should understand that doing so gives you the power to insert stipulations into the bail bond agreement that could help to force a misbehaving sibling into becoming more responsible.
Good examples of this include forcing them to agree to things that will help them, such as participating in counseling, maintaining employment, or even enrolling in an addiction treatment facility. When adding any stipulations to the bail bond agreement, make sure that the dependent sibling fully understands that acting as their bail bond cosigner will give you the power to have their bail bond canceled at any point, should they fail to meet the stipulations and requirements.
Understanding your responsibilities as a bail bond cosigner and the legal requirements of your dependent sibling is critical to making this type of family situation work. To learn more or to get specific answers to any questions you and your sibling may have, contact a bail bond service in your area.
Share26 June 2019
A few years back, I really started thinking about my financial future. I thought long and hard about how to go about handling various things, and someone told me that I needed to do something to get out of the hole. I started thinking about how to manage my money a little better, but I knew that I needed to start by getting a loan. I found a really fantastic loan that would work for what I needed, and after I got it, I felt great about the terms. After using it to pay off some of my debts, my monthly payments were much more manageable. Find out more about loans on this website.