Joint account issues

Former Member

My dad and his ex gf split up nearly 3 years ago and she's been causing alot of grief since. This has included spreading rumours around his friends and family and we think she's been stealing his stuff from the house (she has a key and knew the passcode for the alarm but these have since been changed). They have a joint account that his wages go into (not sure about hers) from when they lived together. But she won't sign papers to get it closed and is still taking money from the account. My dad keeps chasing her but she keeps avoiding him and not returning calls. Now -how can he go about putting all this to an end? Could he write a letter giving her x amount of time to get in touch to sort things out before threatening to take legal action? Would he have a case against her?

Former Member

Why doesn't he get he wages paid into an account just in his name?

Former Member

Why not open his own account and have the wages paid there, as a first step?

Former Member

Jinx

Former Member

katralla wrote: »

Why doesn't he get he wages paid into an account just in his name?

I asked that (this was just coming from my brother though) but he said something about him not being able to make changes to it without them both consenting, which she won't do. I don't know ins and outs it just came up in conversation with my brother earlier.

Former Member

He should not need her permission to open a bank account in his name and inform his employer that he would now like his wages paid into that account instead. That is making no adjustment to the joint account.

Former Member

Avizandum wrote: »

He should not need her permission to open a bank account in his name and inform his employer that he would now like his wages paid into that account instead. That is making no adjustment to the joint account.

This, just leave £1 in that account to keep it open and withdraw everything else.

Open a new account, in his own name, an pay everything into that account. He will also be able to transfer any Direct Debit payments across (in fact his bank will do that for him)...

Thus this problem is solved.

Former Member

What do you do if she keeps using the overdraft though?

Former Member

He needs to go into the bank and talk to them. On a lot of joint accounts one person can change some things, particularly like reducing the available over draft.

If nothing else, stopping any more of his money going into the account would be a good start. He should be able to do that just through his employer if he already has an account in just his name. If not he'll need to open one, and then just tell his job his bank details have changed.

Former Member

He needs to talk to the bank to prevent money being taken because if his former partner runs up debts through the joint account he is liable for them. The bank cannot unilaterally allow him to close the account but they should allow him to remove his name from the account providing it is in credit.

He should also have had his wages paid somewhere more secure a long time ago. There's absolutely nothing stopping this person from going into the bank and taking every penny out.

Former Member

Hey there,

This must be a frustrating time for your dad at the moment, and hopefully he can sort it soon. It must also be a frustrating time you as well, as it's hard to see family members going through difficulties. However, it's great that you are seeking help on behalf of your dad, but if you feel like this is getting too much for yourself, then feel free to post any further queries or just to have a rant.

As the other users have already mentioned it's important that he speaks to the bank and informs them of the current situation. They are the best people to initially inform him of what he can do.

The terms and conditions for each type of account and each different bank differ. So he should also read the agreement carefully in relation to the account to see if there was a first person and second person on the account and to see whose consent is needed to close the account.

Lastly, your dad should get in touch with this employers to find out the process to change where his wages get paid into. This shouldn't be a problem and employers are likely to be sympathetic to the situation.

Let us know of any further developments and if you need any further help.