Lloyds won't remove me from Joint Account

LeahBarr

Hi Everyone,

I'm getting so annoyed now with Lloyds, twice I have been told false information from them over the phone but basically I have my own account with Lloyds.. and sadly STILL a joint account with my ex partner.. The account is actually his and I got my name added to it when we were together. I have been trying for some time to get in touch with him and Lloyds told me that we both have to go into branch, I explained I couldn't get in touch so they explained they could freeze the account which would prevent money being withdrawn, I don't even have a card for the account so they would be able to see that he is the only one using it. Recently I have noticed on the account that a lot of direct debits have been returned such as his monthly mortgage etc.. quite important ones.. Anyway I was just so desperate I messaged his friend asking if he could have a word with him to meet me at the bank, he explained that he has basically disappeared, he got the sack, didn't have a penny and even had to give his car back as it was on finance. Neighbours from his house have even messaged me saying he hasn't been in the house for months, its completely abandoned with everything still in it. Police and people with clipboards have been knocking on the door looking for him so I assume the house will be getting repossessed etc. I got his number but it isn't even ringing so that's being cut off, there is a 50 quid overdraft which is overdrawn so I'll probably have to sort that.. is there a way I could explain to Lloyds my circumstances? I have a new life now happy with someone else and we have a 9 week old baby together, I want nothing more to do with my ex and I am sick that they won't remove my name please help x

DCFC79

No harm in speaking to the bank but dont get your hopes up. Has he got any family he may have turned to for help when desperate eg for somewhere to sleep.

Silvertabby

Have you asked if you can close the account? It seems that only one person can do so, as long as the balance is zero. Paying off the £50 overdraft would be a cheap price for the peace of mind of knowing that this won't come back to bite you on the bum years down the line.


ADD: Um - I hate to say this, but have the police forced entry to his property, just in case he has done something very silly?

DCFC79

Silvertabby wrote: »

Have you asked if you can close the account? It seems that only one person can do so, as long as the balance is zero. Paying off the £50 overdraft would be a cheap price for the peace of mind of knowing that this won't come back to bite you on the bum years down the line.

Could you still close the account if the mortgage DD will still be pulled from it, I guess once the house is sold and the balance is zero then yes it could be closed.

System

I doubt that the mortgage DD need to be paid from a specific account.

I would suggest removing the overdraft (even if you have to payback the £50) and cancelling all direct debit mandates immediately.

Setup any any essential items e.g. mortgage & utilities on your own account

Then instruct the bank to close the account - they don't like doing this but the account will be operated on either sign basis, so it isn't actually required.

eskbanker

LeahBarr wrote: »

I don't even have a card for the account so they would be able to see that he is the only one using it. Recently I have noticed on the account that a lot of direct debits have been returned such as his monthly mortgage etc.. quite important ones..

You obviously still have access to the account, presumably via online banking, so would be able to transact on it even without a card. It doesn't really make a difference, in that you share liability for a joint account anyway, but just to clarify that lack of a debit card doesn't mean that you can't operate the account.

LeahBarr wrote: »

I explained I couldn't get in touch so they explained they could freeze the account which would prevent money being withdrawn

Presumably you went ahead with this?

LeahBarr

I have tried, they said as long as the credit is up to date they could take my name off, at the time I didn't have the money.

When I got paid I transferred the 50 quid to the joint account, spoke to someone different and they wouldn't take me off. They said I was given false information from the 1st phonecall. I might just visit branch on my own and explain the situation in full and actually sit down with an advisor! Ive just had enough now

LeahBarr

I heard that he was living in a flat with a lassie.. that was from his friend and he told me he see's him now and again and refuses to talk about the house or the situation. He is originally from down south, Kent. I am up North. Best thing he could do is be with family and sort his life out, start fresh. There's clearly nothing for him up here. We stayed friends when we split up and I told him about the account and all the debts he had taken on that he would struggle but he just sat and agreed, my family had even tried advising him but no luck, clearly.

I do not want to end up with financial difficulty because of him, I don't want trouble to come my way because of this account, e.g. bailiffs etc.. Like I said I have a baby and a new life. I don't want to lose it because of his errors.

I feel for him I really do, there is nothing worse being in a rut, but trying to run away from things and hiding won't work. I have had to get an IVA because I was stupid getting loans out.. my credit is bad but I tell you what I feel better because I have done something about it, I can provide for my son.

eskbanker

LeahBarr wrote: »

I do not want to end up with financial difficulty because of him, I don't want trouble to come my way because of this account, e.g. bailiffs etc.. Like I said I have a baby and a new life. I don't want to lose it because of his errors.

If the joint bank account is the only financial association between you then your liability is limited to the existing overdraft, assuming you went ahead and put the account into dispute to freeze it.

If he has run into arrears with his own mortgage and/or has other (sole) debts (and no joint ones), nobody can pursue you for these.

sheramber

Heng_Leng wrote: »

I doubt that the mortgage DD need to be paid from a specific account.

I would suggest removing the overdraft (even if you have to payback the £50) and cancelling all direct debit mandates immediately.

Setup any any essential items e.g. mortgage & utilities on your own account

Then instruct the bank to close the account - they don't like doing this but the account will be operated on either sign basis, so it isn't actually required.

As these DD are the ex's why would she transfer them to her account?

pinkdalek

You need to either -

1) Speak to him and get your name removed
2) Ask Lloyds to freeze the account - marital dispute - however this won't be removed until you both mutually agree, keeping the joint financial link open
3) Close the account once it's in credit.

Your ex is quite within his rights (if eligible) to increase the overdraft and take it further into debt, you are both responsible for paying it back. If you just deleted the overdraft and left it within nothing in and still open the other party can still re-apply for an overdraft.