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Care home fees when house is not in joint names
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Fortunately, MIL's always handled the money. But they have joint accounts - and if the bank knew the situation, I believe they could reasonably freeze the accounts to protect FIL's interests ...
Surely the banks can't do that with a joint account, as they've both got authority to operate the account.How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 3.24% of current retirement "pot" (as at end December 2025)0 -
Surely the banks can't do that with a joint account, as they've both got authority to operate the account.
They can.
https://www.youngdementiauk.org/clive-joint-accounts
The thing about setting up a LPA is that ideally you do it when there is nothing wrong with you, so that you are coved if you have a serious accident or are struck down with a stroke, but putting that over to a silly old fool can be difficult if not impossible.0 -
Fortunately, MIL's always handled the money. But they have joint accounts - and if the bank knew the situation, I believe they could reasonably freeze the accounts to protect FIL's interests ...
MIL could open an individual account and transfer at least half of the money from the joint account into that.0 -
Fortunately, MIL's always handled the money. But they have joint accounts - and if the bank knew the situation, I believe they could reasonably freeze the accounts to protect FIL's interests ...
I think it would be wise for her to have her income paid into a seperate account in her name, just in case.
Does she have an LPA in place?0 -
Keep_pedalling wrote: »They can.
https://www.youngdementiauk.org/clive-joint-accounts
The thing about setting up a LPA is that ideally you do it when there is nothing wrong with you, so that you are coved if you have a serious accident or are struck down with a stroke, but putting that over to a silly old fool can be difficult if not impossible.
Can they do that to a married couple though?. I can understand it with other relatives/friends, but surely not for couples!!How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 3.24% of current retirement "pot" (as at end December 2025)0 -
Can they do that to a married couple though?. I can understand it with other relatives/friends, but surely not for couples!!
I don't know if the banks have changed their methods but it was listening to a programme about a young couple who had their joint accounts frozen that made us sort out POAs.
The husband was the only wage earner; the wife was at home with two young children. He had a car accident and was in hospital in a coma. The bank froze their joint account 'because they had a duty of care to him'. She was reduced to borrowing from family and friends to feed the children and pay the bills.0 -
I would question the right of the bank to do that. There might be a weak case for protecting 50% but the other joint owner clearly has the right to continue drawing on the rest. Sounds like the bank trying it on big time.I don't know if the banks have changed their methods but it was listening to a programme about a young couple who had their joint accounts frozen that made us sort out POAs.
The husband was the only wage earner; the wife was at home with two young children. He had a car accident and was in hospital in a coma. The bank froze their joint account 'because they had a duty of care to him'. She was reduced to borrowing from family and friends to feed the children and pay the bills.0 -
Yorkshireman99 wrote: »I would question the right of the bank to do that. There might be a weak case for protecting 50% but the other joint owner clearly has the right to continue drawing on the rest. Sounds like the bank trying it on big time.
She obviously did question it but the bank didn't back down, even after being contacted by the BBC programme which often leads to things being sorted out quickly.0 -
Noted but it still does not mean it is legal.0
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Never mind silly or old, just a person who's always done things in a particular way, never seen any reason to change, doesn't believe anything you say which doesn't align with their view of the world ...Keep_pedalling wrote: »They can.
https://www.youngdementiauk.org/clive-joint-accounts
The thing about setting up a LPA is that ideally you do it when there is nothing wrong with you, so that you are coved if you have a serious accident or are struck down with a stroke, but putting that over to a silly old fool can be difficult if not impossible.
She could, but I doubt she will. Apart from anything else, she'd have to go into the bank with FIL (because she doesn't leave him at home on his own more than she has to), and he'd want to know why, and even though he wouldn't remember why for more than five minutes she wouldn't want to upset him. And I'm not sure she'd believe that the bank would actually freeze the account, and tbh I don't want to frighten her!MIL could open an individual account and transfer at least half of the money from the joint account into that.
I'm not sure. There has been talk of doing one, and I think she's agreed it would be sensible, but I've seen no evidence of it happening. Having said that, I might not see any evidence: BIL lives with them (which relieves a LOT of worry, he could for example take over the bills if the account DID get frozen) and I know the idea was that he'd be attorney. Not sure if DH was also going to be one, not necessarily.Keep_pedalling wrote: »Does she have an LPA in place?
I think I heard that story too! I don't know that it happens often - I suspect the bank doesn't always find out, and I certainly wouldn't rush to tell them!!!I don't know if the banks have changed their methods but it was listening to a programme about a young couple who had their joint accounts frozen that made us sort out POAs.
The husband was the only wage earner; the wife was at home with two young children. He had a car accident and was in hospital in a coma. The bank froze their joint account 'because they had a duty of care to him'. She was reduced to borrowing from family and friends to feed the children and pay the bills.
Possibly, but if the incapacitated account holder was clearly contributing the majority of the income, the bank might not buy your argument.Yorkshireman99 wrote: »I would question the right of the bank to do that. There might be a weak case for protecting 50% but the other joint owner clearly has the right to continue drawing on the rest. Sounds like the bank trying it on big time.
In any case, anyone with any sense (ie not including my in-laws) would respond by making LPAs.Signature removed for peace of mind0
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