Get me off this joint account!!!

paulies_nixie

Afternoon guys and girls,

Wonder if you can help me out with something that the "setting off" discussion has just brought into the very forefront of my mind (not that it was far from that anyway.)

My partner (Paulie) is mid divorce - been getting divorced for the last 6 months.
At various points in the last 6 months he's been trying to close his marital joint account or at least get his name taken off it.

He's banking with Abbey, there's no outgoings on the account and it's in credit by pence (so she doesnt withdraw cash and make it overdrawn)
They refuse to take his name off the account without her signing something or being there in person.

I'm worried about his credit profile, about her running up debt (which she has a history of) and them pulling non-existant money from this joint account to pay it.

When I got divorced (some years ago now), Lloyds looked at the account and after much wrangeling took my name off it. Barclays wrote to my ex themselves so I wouldnt have to be involved.

Abbey dont seem to want to do anything to help out.

We're thousands into the solicitors bills with still no end in sight!
(She wants maintenance - no kids and she wants to sit on her backside all day when they split up cos she wouldnt work!) I really dont want to take another dispute back to the solicitors if I dont have to.

Is there any way he can be removed from this account?
We're already looking at moving his other accounts from there just in case.

Appreciate your help

Thanks folks

Nixie

simon_templar_2

Abbey cannot take the other persons name off the account without them agreeing. This is one of the downsides to a joint account.

Extant

If they're not willing to remove him from the account, they should at least mark the account as both to sign in order to remove the risk of her running away with all the money.

dc110

They cant remove another person without their authority (ie make it a single account) but it shouldnt be a problem to close it providing it is in credit .....

unless it is already set as "both signatories required" which as barclaysmanager states will ensure that eg an overdraft cannot be set up without both parties authority hence removing the risk that your partners credit is affected.

paulies_nixie

Thanks for the replys

I cant see the problem with removing him from the account as long as the account's in credit. I mean it's not like he can take money or arrange a payment from that account if he's been taken off and there's no direct debits or standing orders on it.
In my mind that says any money that then comes out of it or payments arranged can only be done by his ex.

When he first went in there they refused to even freeze it! Which confused me as with my rather more amicable split with an ex recently the bank asked both of us if we wanted to freeze it, they called me and asked me specifically. I declined as it would have messed up all the direct debits and stuff and neither of us were in a hurry to screw over the other.
I've been very surprised by Abbey's attitude to the whole thing.

Ta

Nixie

jonesMUFCforever

A joint account requires both parties to sign a closure authorisation. Why is this such a problem to OP?

If it is not possible then just tell the bank that the account is in dispute and that it is to be blocked. This means no credits or debits to account for either of you.

paulies_nixie

they wont block / freeze the account. And the ex wont sign anything cos shes still in that vindictive phase - seriously, could write a book on what the little madams done!!!
bankaccounts nowt to the amount of negative equity shes walked away from. But if they can start taking money out - even if it's not there to cover her debts, I need to be shot of it.

Could they take money out if I managed to force the block/ freeze on the account?

jonesMUFCforever

paulies_nixie wrote: »

they wont block / freeze the account. And the ex wont sign anything cos shes still in that vindictive phase - seriously, could write a book on what the little madams done!!!
bankaccounts nowt to the amount of negative equity shes walked away from. But if they can start taking money out - even if it's not there to cover her debts, I need to be shot of it.

Could they take money out if I managed to force the block/ freeze on the account?

The bank HAS to act in a case of a dispute on an account. Put the request in writing and tell them you want confirmation of this happening.
Keep a copy of the letter and reply -if the account then goes overdrawn you will not be liable for the debt.

What they have told you about not being able to freeze/block the account is utter rubbish and IMO worth a letter of complaint to the bank.

simon_templar_2

This is what you need the branch to do:-

This new process should be followed as an interim measure if joint account holders are not in a position to open separate bank accounts. For example, if one party is concerned that the other party may withdraw all funds in the account before any settlement to the account or relationship has been agreed. It must only be considered at the request of the customer.

Following implementation of the process, the account can only be operated with the permission of both account holders therefore it is important that both account holders are aware of this. Please see section 6.1.3 within the Terms and Conditions document for full details.

What you need to do

When there is a dispute on the account, and following verbal/written request from either account holder, take the following action in order to immediately restrict access to the account and issue a new ‘all signatures’ chequebook.

1. Cancel all cards on the account.

This will automatically cancel existing e-banking and telephone banking facilities too.

2. Put a stop on all current chequebooks.

This will make all current cheques in the customer’s possession invalid. If they present a cheque which is guaranteed this will be honoured.

3. Change the account code to “All Signatures Required” on the system

4. Order both customers a new chequebook.

These chequebooks will take seven days to arrive and will require signatures from both parties. The customers will not receive new cards.

5. Use the attached letter template on the intranet to send to both parties/the other party as appropriate to confirm the action. If the customers are now living at separate addresses please follow the process listed in section 16 (Record Changes - Special Mailing) of the Banking Product Admin manual. Please follow the latest change of address process.

6. If the process is verbal, please record the detail in an “Alert” in the Customer Portal.

This process will not affect existing Direct Debits, Standing Orders and Bill Payments set up on the account. However, any new Direct Debits, Standing Orders and Bill Payments will need permission from both parties.

Customers can still withdraw cash using the chequebook. Both parties will need to be present to sign the cheque and they will both need one piece of transactional Identification. For cash withdrawals greater than £500 the identification required is listed on the Intranet through the following path Branch Employee Portal>Policies>Company Procedures>Branch control>Transactional Identification. This information will also be represented in the Banking Product Administration manual and the Banking and Bookkeeping manual in the Bookstore.

paulies_nixie

Okay I went in with my OH this time.
I've been divorced before and both lloyds and barclays have been helpful and in my recent breakup RBS were very careful that neither of us were getting ripped off, I'm not without some savy and experiance in this area.

Abbey are a different story.
Name off the account - No, you both signed for the account, tough.
Close the account - only if she says so too.
Freeze the account - No, not with out both persons permission, look she's ripping off his money, not abbey's problem.
Put the account to both to sign and cancel all cards - No, not with out both persons permission.

Ummmmm look here, the accounts in dispute - Put a hold on it.
No apparently we need a court order to do that. MORE solicitors fees

they tell me all this is in the terms and conditions - which they cant give us but account holders should have had a copy when opening the account.

BUT little miss ex CAN by herself with out permission increase the overdraft limit and max it out making my chap half liable for the debt!!!!

They went on to tell me there is a divorced lady with an account in Abbey that has been divorced for 15 years but still has this account cos her ex-hubby wont sign to say take her name off! they must be joking!!

Goodbye Abbey!!!! just need to shut this one down! GRRRRRRR:mad:

My next step (Unless someone can suggest better ) is to write to Abbey head office. Tell them their telephone banking people told me it was possible to get the name off the account. In store staff were most un-helpful.
Also write to the banking ombudsman.
I just cant afford for this little lark to go through the courts

Any one got any other ideas?

I'm getting a bit peeeed off with it all and Abbey will Never have my custom ever again!

Murtle

I wrote to Nationwide when I got divorced and they actioned it. I got no joy by going into the branch or talking to them on the phone. But the letter seemed to be fine for them to change it to one name only.

I'd try engaging in correspondence rather then talking to them, they need to respond to letters properly!!

Good luck, I went round in cricles with Nationwide before someone advised I just sent a letter.