Bank Account in prep for divorce

kiwichick

Hi All.

I'm not sure if I'm putting this on the right forum so if its wrong then do please move it.

My marriage is in trouble and I am slowly coming to terms with the idea that seperation is inevitable.

I dont have a bank account of my own. I do have a joint account with my husband (nationwides flex account) and he has his own with Barclays. I dont work as I am a stay at home mum to my 3 children. I dont have any income of my own.

Am I allowed to open a bank account where I can start to put aside money I'm managing to save from the household budget? I'm worried that it might be seen as stealing?

If I am allowed an account does anyone have an idea of which sort is best for me and at which bank/building society??

Any help HUGELY appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Allison.

Babysoft

Of course you can do this... and it is a good idea too! A building society may be better for you. If you don't want any statements sent to you then specify that very strongly.

Gingham_Ribbon

I'm a housewife and have my own accounts as well as our join one. No-one would see you saving money from the household budget as stealing. I don't think you should have any problem opening an account anywhere.

Do any of the bills get paid in your name? That should help with opening an account with another bank, but you should be able to get an account with the bank your join account is held with very easily. Why not pop in and ask to speak to someone about it?

I'm sorry for your situation. Can you talk to your husband about it yet? Try the Citizens Advice too to find out what help you should expect, from your husband and from benefits.

christabell

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry to hear about your situation, Yorkshire Building Society have a good Internet account which gives a cash card. The interest rate is 5.55%, and they have a FRESH START mortgage for people in your situation.
I think the household budget is yours to do what you want with it, pay yourself, you have been working hard enough as a home maker.

moggins-revisited

You can definitely open your own account. I opened a current account alongside the joint one as I have difficulties with proof of idea, since then I've also aquired another two savings accounts too.

johnmoney05

kiwichick, you don't need to open your own bank account, you can still use the joint account. Especially if the account is funded by your H's salary. That way, you can keep an eye of your H's spending. Make sure he doesn't over spend the account. He might open his own account and pay salary in there. Then you can ask him to sign over the accoun to you. Make sure he pays maintenance into your account.
Sorry for your situation anyway.

comping_cat

I think it would be very sensible to have your own sole account - especially if things are going the way you think they are. Knowing you have a little money 'put away' will help if/when anything happens and will help with any unseen expenses.
I would open an account where you havnt got an account at the moment, that way it is completely seperate from everything else - and maybe just go for a savings account with a cashpoint card to start with, if its money you wont be needing to use for a little while, then it will be worth earning some interest from it. You could always apply for a current account at a later date, if you needed one.
I hope everything works out for you xxxxxxxxxxxxx

meanmarie

Kiwichick,

Open your account...OH and I have a joint account and one each, mine was originally opened to have child benefit (family allowance?)paid into it. I have kept it up since the CB stopped but can you do something like that as an income into yours, not familiar with payment methods in UK so maybe this isn't practical but certainly you can save any surplus and it is totally your own affair. I would second the advice someone gave about consulting citizens advice, they will have relevant correct facts at their fingertips.

Sorry things aren't going well but look after yourself in the present situation

Marie

Penelope_Penguin

Kiwi, (((((hugs))))) to you and yours.

You can open an account of your own. When I finished work when I had the small Penguins (nearly 15 years ago) I set up my own account. The circumstances were different, but the outcome the same - I have ready access to my own money, should I ever need it.

HTH, Penny. x