Could a solicitor split a joint cheque?

monstermuncher

General query, if we were to receive a cheque in mine and my ex husband's joint name, would we be able to use a solicitor to split it between us as we no longer have a joint account?

pmduk

I suspect the solicitor would be unable to cash any cheque that wasn't made payable to them.

pinkdalek

You would have to ask whoever issued the cheque to re-issue it to one payee or issue two cheques of equal shares.

opinions4u

Who issued the cheque?

I get the feeling it wasn't a solicitor.

In which case it's a matter between you, your ex-husband and whoever issued the cheque to resolve. Nothing to do with the legal profession.

chexum

Jogging my new-found knowledge of joint accounts... I'm assuming the OP and her ex is communicating, just don't really trust each other too much. Is it possible to open a "both-to-sign" joint saving account, deposit the cheque, then do what's needed to split it, transfer or write two cheques signed by both of them? No one alone then would be able to do anything with the money.

jonesMUFCforever

chexum wrote: »

Jogging my new-found knowledge of joint accounts... I'm assuming the OP and her ex is communicating, just don't really trust each other too much. Is it possible to open a "both-to-sign" joint saving account, deposit the cheque, then do what's needed to split it, transfer or write two cheques signed by both of them? No one alone then would be able to do anything with the money.

In this day and age no bank will do this as it would be a complete waste of the bank's time.
The only way is for the parties either to get one cheque each for half the amount or agree between themselves that the cheque should be made out in one name and then shared.
If they can't trust each other - tough.

ses6jwg

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

In this day and age no bank will do this as it would be a complete waste of the bank's time.
The only way is for the parties either to get one cheque each for half the amount or agree between themselves that the cheque should be made out in one name and then shared.
If they can't trust each other - tough.

whilst I agree it would be a waste of the banks time, many will do it.

might be worth trying a local building society they usually open accounts there and then without an appointment. set up a passbook account with "combined" signatories. clear the cheque then both go back to sign for the withdrawals. simples

marywooyeah

nope, either ask the issuer to draft another or open a joint account, cash it split it then close the account down.

monstermuncher

Thanks.

It's less about trust, but more to do with the fact he's in Australia, so opening a joint account will be tough! We'll have to work something out if we get to that stage.

Thanks for your advice.