Closing a joint savings account

clearingout

My ex husband and I have a bog standard instant access savings account with Abbey (Santander, I assume). Only one signature required to withdraw money. Ex left me two years ago, taking passbook with him and withdrawing the small amount that was in there. We are now divorced. He demonstrated that he had the passbook by providing a copy of the final page as part of the financial side of the divorce proceedings.

I am in the process of financially disassociating myself from my ex (debts up to his ears, need to lose him!). I need this account to be closed to do it. Ex refuses to discuss it, refuses to hand over passbook, refuses to say whether it's been closed or not, refuses to answer solicitors letters on the issue. He is like this generally - head in the sand about most things! Will do anything, ignore anything if he thinks it's going to annoy me - don't read any more into it than that!

I am wasting my money with more solicitors letters. I need to take matters into my own hands. I have moved 250 miles away from where the account was previously held so will be dealing with a branch manager who doesn't know me. What am I going to need to do to prove to him who I am and to get the account closed? Ex is not going to hand over the passbook without first putting a bomb under him....

opinions4u

refuses to say whether it's been closed or not

Take your ID in to a Santander branch, ask them to trace the account and let you know if it's open or closed. If there is a nominal balance in it, I'd hazard a guess that they'd let you close it there and then.

When it comes to a credit referencing financial association, I don't think savings accounts have any impact.

clearingout

ID? Passport and a utility bill? I know that the savings account won't impact but to 'financially disassociate' you need to declare that you no longer have anything to do with the person from a financial perspective and whilst an account is open (possibly, maybe), I would obviously be lying.

I do hope he's stashed away a small fortune in there as it does only require one signature to get it out! That would be lovely after everything I've been through!