Bank refused to remove account holder from joint account

NightNurse24

My brother and his wife separated over 18 months ago. It’s very acrimonious and little communication exists between them. She’s refusing to agree to him being removed from the joint bank account. It is not in debit, he doesn’t use it, but the bank, the Halifax, won’t remove him without her consent. She refuses to consent. He’s between a rock and a hard place. The bank just won’t budge. He isn’t asking for anything from the account, and nothing is owed. If she decides to build up an overdraft he will be liable! What on earth is he to do?

boo_star

They'll probably have some sort of "marital disputes" process he can invoke. Do this and the account will be frozen. That might make her reconsider things.

At the very least it'll stop her running up an overdraft.

noh

He can ask them to close the account which they should do with instructions from either account holder it doesn't need the consent of the other.
Page 14,32 and 33 of their TCs
http://static.halifax.co.uk/assets/pdf/bankaccounts/pdf/bank-account-guide.pdf

YorkshireBoy

https://www.halifax.co.uk/contactus/how-to-complain/

YorkshireBoy

noh wrote: »

He can ask them to close the account which they should do with instructions from either account holder it doesn't need the consent of the other.
Page 14,32 and 33 of their TCs

15.3 on page 33 might give them a get-out though, but the aforementioned complaint route should expedite a resolution, especially if the account isn't in debit.

pinkdalek

Close the account.

The title of the thread makes it out it's the bank's fault when quite clearly one party is being stubborn and won't consent.

[Deleted User]

Close the account.

Or seek advise from a solicitor.

xylophone

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/76014418#Comment_76014418

The above is a recent thread on the same topic.

NightNurse24

pinkdalek wrote: »

Close the account.

The title of the thread makes it out it's the bank's fault when quite clearly one party is being stubborn and won't consent.

Yes one party is being stubborn, but surely the bank have a responsibility to try to help in this situation. They can’t be seen as blameless when they are not offering any solution.

Flobberchops

I agree with the last few posters - if the account isn't frozen then simply close it. If there's a remaining balance this can be transferred to the spouse's last known account, or perhaps even sent from the bank as a cheque if that's an option. He will have been acting within his rights and she can't claim she lost any money.

sal_III

Close the account:

Examples of things any joint account holder can do without the knowledge of the other(s)
• Take all the money in an account.
• Close an account.

Before your OH triggers:

15.3 If we become aware of a dispute between you, we may take steps to prevent any of you giving instructions or using the
account individually until the dispute is ended.

and you end up in a mess like:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/76014418#Comment_76014418

Optionally give her 1/2 of the remaining balance