breaking up with partner can I change joint account to sole name

pinkmum2010

Hi all, looking for some advice I opened a joint account with my boyfriend but it’s all gone pear shaped, all my bills mortgage utilities etc got moved over because moved from and another bank. Other half only had three direct debits to move and pay but never got around to it. So rather than go through all the hassle will I be able to just switch the account from joint names to my sole name?

I’m with Halifax if that helps?

Thanks in advance for help

Lokolo

If you can you'd still need both signatures.

McKneff

You need his permission to do this.

Olipro

if either of you unilaterally state that they want the account put in their sole name, the bank will immediately freeze the account in its entirety as the account would then be legally classified as disputed.

pinkmum2010

cool, so sounds like I can do it, he should be fine about it because he want's off the account too

Olipro

as a simple precaution, I would recommend withdrawing as much as possible from the account prior to going through with the ownership transfer, either in cash or if that's not feasible, by opening a new sole account and transferring the funds.

LillythePink

I got told by HSBC that I couldn't take my ex's name off the account ie going from joint to sole.

This was because he could still have access to it for historic purposes or if any system wasn't updated somewhere, he could request a card etc so therefore have access.

I did have a letter signed by him agreeing to the change but they still wouldn't do it.

Don't know about other banks though

Olipro

indeed, and from a logical point of view, opening a sole account, and then transferring the funds and obligations to it has the same effect

rb10

At Halifax you can do this - just get a form for the bank, you both need to sign it, and return his card and chequebook (if he has one). His name will then be taken off the account and he'll no longer have any access to it.