Joint account - Impossible to close?

KMI

Hello,
My partner has a joint account with his ex-wife. They divorced 7 years ago, the account haven`t been used since that time. Balance is 0. Now the account is frozen.
He can not close the account, or remove his name without the ex`s signatures. She is "not a nice person", and refused to sign the form to close.
Is really so impossible to close? Why the bank want to keep an unused, zero-balance account?
Can`t believe, that there is no other way....

JuicyJesus

Because it's his ex wife's account as well and there is a dispute between the parties. In such an event the mandate is cancelled and all transactions - including closure - have to be authorised by both parties.

I'm surprised that it hasn't closed due to dormancy, mind.

grumbler

What does 'frozen' actually mean?
What bank is it?

Very often, not to say usually, people in banks don't know what the T&C say for joint accounts and require two signatures where only one is needed.

KMI

Bank said, they used to close the dormant account, but not anymore.

grumbler

So, is it dormant or frozen?

KMI

He ask to freeze the account, so at least the ex can't put it into overdraft, as she used to...
This case is ongoing since months, many visit in the bank, thousand phonecalls to different departments...and nothing happening.
The worst, that this is affecting his credit score badly
The bank is Natwest.

KMI

Was dormant, now frozen.

Mojisola

KMI wrote: »

They divorced 7 years ago, the account haven`t been used since that time. Balance is 0. Now the account is frozen.

He can not close the account, or remove his name without the ex`s signatures.

Seems odd that this wasn't dealt with as part of the financial settlement at the time of divorce.

leclerc

KMI wrote: »

He ask to freeze the account, so at least the ex can't put it into overdraft, as she used to...
This case is ongoing since months, many visit in the bank, thousand phonecalls to different departments...and nothing happening.
The worst, that this is affecting his credit score badly
The bank is Natwest.

It's gonna stay frozen forever to be honest as it's a joint account and that will continue on indefinitely unless both parties agree for it to be unfrozen. It's now a dead account to be honest.

grumbler

KMI wrote: »

Was dormant, now frozen.

KMI wrote: »

He ask to freeze the account, so at least the ex can't put it into overdraft, as she used to.....

Well, he should have requested a closure instead of freezing ('dispute').

KMI

Unfortunately the divorce paperwork doesn't mention this account.