Joint banking advice

KazzaBird_2

Hey there..I have been using this site for a while for advice but never posted before!
My husband has a bank account with his ex that he uses for all of our household bills. I have literally battered him down now for nigh on 4 years to sort this out...basically his ex went back to her homeland of Oz and they never sorted it. She has since come back here to marry someone else.
During this time, twice they have tried to sort the account out to have her name removed, this was while she was in Oz. She sent them a letter stating that she no longer wanted to be on the account but the bank refused to accept this as they had lost the signatures and they would have to go into the home branch to sign officially bringing the documents to prove who they are!
It was not an amicable split, and since she has been back in the UK although we know she is here we don;t know where she is.
Lond winded I know...sorry just some background!
However, we are now getting calls to the bank as of course she doesn't live at our address anymore and they want to know where she is. I am fearing for our joint account and it is causing us massive rows because he just will not try and sort it! Can anyone offer any advice on splitting up and dealing with joint accounts? It is a joint signatory for the closure of it but single for any transactions.

Thank you !
:T

debbie42

Most joint accounts do need two signatures to close: there have been a few recent threads on here about it.

I would be very unhappy to be in your position though. Theoretically, what's to stop his ex clearing out all the money? If it's so difficult to close it down, then I'd personally open a new one to avoid any uncertainty while the closure is in progress.

regularsaver1

Although the bank account may need 2 signatures to close its only one to withdraw the money, so why does he not open a brand new account and removing someone is not easy (as you can see)

he could open one in his sole name or with you and change the direct debits to that and take the cash out of the other

bristol_pilot

His ex can not only draw out all the money but can also run up a max overdraft and hubby is liable for re-paying it! Get this account closed asap and in the meantime hubby should draw out all the money himself and move it to an account in his own name. Then see if the bank will remove any overdraft facility on the account.

jonesMUFCforever

No neeed to close it just get it frozen (after taking any money out)!
Tell the bank there is a dispute and get it in writing that you want the account blocked with no more transactions going through.
They have to do this because if they don't the bank will have to take the loss (sorry don't remember the exact banking case law - it was many years ago I took my banking exams!).

Sillychuckie

Could he not remove his name from it, without her signature?
It would then just be left as an account 100% in her name.

Doesnt sound unreasonable.
Of course, you will need to open a new account for yourselves - but a small price to pay for security.

jonesMUFCforever

Sillychuckie wrote: »

Could he not remove his name from it, without her signature?
It would then just be left as an account 100% in her name.

Doesnt sound unreasonable.
Of course, you will need to open a new account for yourselves - but a small price to pay for security.

The bank I work for would not allow this.
For a name to be taken off all parties have to sign.
As I said previously getting the account blocked because of a dispute between the parties is not a problem.

KazzaBird_2

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice! I know I have to just frogmarch him to the bank now to sort it!! I can see now why people don't have joint accounts :rotfl:

:beer: