Savings for new baby

Alison_B

My son is going to be a dad in November. His girlfriend has been very funny towards him since finding out she was pregnant and has been seeing him less and less over the past couple of months. At the weekend she decided that she didn't want to see him again, at least until after the baby is born and she doesn't want him at the birth.

If we aren't allowed to see the baby once she is born, we would still like to put some money aside for her for birthdays and christmas. We have been told that we can't open a savings account without the birth certificate but are there any other ways that we could save for her future without one?

Reaper

Whatever the girl feels towards your son she is unlikely to block the baby receiving money by refusing to lend you the birth certificate.

However at worst if you have not used up your own ISA allowances (either cash or stocks & shares) how about storing the money in your own ISA and gifting it whenever you want in the future? You would need to keep track of how much of it belonged to the baby. You might also want to write it into your will in case you die before handing it over, and be aware inheritance tax might apply if you are over the thresholds.

Junior ISAs re also coming out later in the year, though they may also require a birth certificate, we will have to wait and see.

Lokolo_2

I'm sorry to hear that

Your son could open a savings account in his name and put money aside for the baby into that and hand it over when his kid is older. If he is a taxpayer then he would be deducted tax on any interest earnt though.

Of course it would be better to open an account in the baby's name to save tax-free, so if he can get hold of the birth certificate that would help.

sulkisu

On a slightly different note, your son needs to make sure that his name is on the birth certificate - nowadays that means that he has to be present when the birth is registered.

Edit: It is possible to get a copy of any birth certificate, which is why they are not accepted as proof of identity. So as long as his name is on the birth certificate I see no reason why your son could not get his own copy and open the savings account himself - although it would be better if it was done with the mother's knowledge.

CLAPTON

birth certs are public property
you can get a copy of anyone's birth cert

Pee

I you put it into an account for the baby then at 18 your grandchild has access to that money, at an age when few people are truly independent of their parents.

I would save the money in your name to assist your son with CSA payments and solicitors fees for you and your son to have reasonable contact with the grandchild.

kidmugsy

Perhaps her odd behaviour is caused by hormonal turbulence; call me a cynic, but do consider a DNA test.

Alison_B

kidmugsy wrote: »

Perhaps her odd behaviour is caused by hormonal turbulence; call me a cynic, but do consider a DNA test.

She is being influenced very heavily by her dad and auntie. Her hormones are probably all over the place as her mum died 11 months ago.

Debbie.ht68

Really sorry to hear about this. Hope your son is coping OK: must be very hard for him (and you as well).

As for savings accounts, you could open up an account in your own name for the benefit of the child. This means that you keep control over the money.

As others have said, if the bank wants to see a birth certificate, you can get a copy from the register office.

Debbie

sulkisu

Alison_B wrote: »

She is being influenced very heavily by her dad and auntie. Her hormones are probably all over the place as her mum died 11 months ago.

Approaching the anniversary of her mother's death might be one explanation for her sudden strange behaviour, especially when you add her raging hormones into the equation. However, also bear in mind that you only have one side of the story (your son's) and nobody really knows what goes on in other people's relationships. No matter what happens between her and your son, as the grandmother you should try to keep the door open to her.

ses6jwg

I got a copy of my daughters birth certificate from the local registry for £8 after her mother refused to give me a copy.

Make sure he gets his name on that birth certificate - though after a DNA test as already been said - the courts will !!!! all over him if he isn't on it and she tries to block access!