Dormancy in join account - I can't get my money

Tinkywinks108

About 25 years ago, I opened up a bank account with my flat mate. She never used the account and soon after, went to USA and I lost touch with her. Last I heard she was married but have no idea what her married name is, where she is, or even if she is dead/alive (she was diagnosed with MS). 

I tried to get her name removed but never could do so. It's not an account I used very often so it wasn't problematic. I have been the only person to have ever made withdrawals/deposits.

I deposited £800 a couple of years ago. Since then, the account has become dormant. I called the bank who were no help but made an appointment at my local branch - also no help. I was told that without ID of the other person, I was unable to lift the dormancy and access my money. 

Does anyone have any idea on what I can do about this? 

retiredbanker1

I think there is something amiss with your post.

If you deposited money within last 2 years the account would not be dormant.
(Did the funds actually credit the account or rejected?)

itsthelittlethings

Why on earth would you put £800 into a joint account where you had had not contact with the other account holder for over twenty years?

retiredbanker1

itsthelittlethings said:

Why on earth would you put £800 into a joint account where you had had not contact with the other account holder for over twenty years?

I really wanted to ask that but felt it rude and did not want any posts deleted.

Tinkywinks108

retiredbanker1 said:

I think there is something amiss with your post.

If you deposited money within last 2 years the account would not be dormant.
(Did the funds actually credit the account or rejected?)

I don't have the exact date but I put it aside as emergency money for my son when he started uni, he is about to start his 3rd year. I can see the funds in there on my online banking, I just can't access it.

[Deleted User]

itsthelittlethings said:

Why on earth would you put £800 into a joint account where you had had not contact with the other account holder for over twenty years?

That did make me laugh out loud. 

In all seriously to the OP. I had such a dormant account at Santander, I have never known it be required to have both people to bring the account out of a dormant state. The only time the other person was required was to close down the account or transfer it solely to me. Which bank is it?

eskbanker

Tinkywinks108 said:

Since then, the account has become dormant.

Just to be clear, did the bank actually use the word 'dormant', which, as above, usually signifies an account that hasn't been used in any way for many years, or did they simply advise that it can't be accessed until the identities of both parties have been verified?

Tinkywinks108 said:
I can see the funds in there on my online banking, I just can't access it.

How have you tried to access the money so far and what exactly are the error messages when doing so?  Have you had any correspondence about this?

Emmia

Tinkywinks108 said:

retiredbanker1 said:

I think there is something amiss with your post.

If you deposited money within last 2 years the account would not be dormant.
(Did the funds actually credit the account or rejected?)

I don't have the exact date but I put it aside as emergency money for my son when he started uni, he is about to start his 3rd year. I can see the funds in there on my online banking, I just can't access it.

But why did you use this account? Why not open another account in your sole name if you wanted to keep the money separate.

Currently your ex housemate could (if the account wasn't dormant) empty the money out of it, and in the event you died the money would be theirs automatically... Not your son's or part of your estate.

marcia_

 If you can see the account on your online banking why can you not just transfer the money to another account? Are you given errors? 

MeteredOut

Legally, as soon as you put £800 in the account, that money was as much your friends as it is yours, so the bank cannot just give it to you. And if she has died, her estate (husband) has may have legal right to it too (though there may be weird US inheritance laws at play).

You need to explain what you mean by dormant, and somehow get it activated again so you can access it.

marcia_

 MeteredOut said:

Legally, as soon as you put £hi 800 in the account, that money was as much your friends as it is yours, so the bank cannot just give it to you. And if she has died, her estate (husband) has may have legal right to it too (though there may be weird US inheritance laws at play).

You need to explain what you mean by dormant, and somehow get it activated again so you can access it.

 Thats not necessarily the case. I have a joint account with my hubby and have free access to every penny without him needing to give permission.