Dissolving a joint account - How do I do it?

[MitchT]

The joint account which I held with my (now ex-) girlfriend needs to be dissolved. I've already taken my share of the money out, so what remains in there is hers. I don't really want to see her but I realise that we may have to go to the bank together to close the account. A friend has suggested that I can go to the bank on my own and ask for my name to be removed from the account so it's hers only, and then inform her that the account is hers to do with what she pleases. Is my friend right?

[Rude Girl]

I think so, because there is money in the account. If it was overdrawn, there's no way they'd let you take your name off without her.

I'd hurry up if I were you

[MitchT]

Rude Girl said:

I'd hurry up if I were you

Yeah, I went online and removed the overdraft facility before she had chance to go out and buy some Christian Louboutins!

[Rude Girl]

Regrettably I have painful experience of having an ex taking money out of a joint account. I understand from a discussion on here with Tonker about a year ago (too tiddly to find it just now) that the law has changed to prevent my nightmare happening now, but I would really really urge you to bite the bullet, get her in to the bank and get your affairs separated.

I trust my current chap with my life but we don't have a joint account. I'll quote him now - "Banks have very funny rules, for example offsetting" - and he works for one!

[MitchT]

Rude Girl said:

Regrettably I have painful experience of having an ex taking money out of a joint account. I understand from a discussion on here with Tonker about a year ago (too tiddly to find it just now) that the law has changed to prevent my nightmare happening now, but I would really really urge you to bite the bullet, get her in to the bank and get your affairs separated.

I trust my current chap with my life but we don't have a joint account. I'll quote him now - "Banks have very funny rules, for example offsetting" - and he works for one!

Well, the money that remains in there is hers and I've removed the overdraft facility, so that can't pose a problem. She has been totally fair so far, so if I go tomorrow and get my name removed and tell her the account is all hers that should do the trick.

[Zen.]

The last time I tried to do this I also encountered difficulties, I removed the overdraft, he reinstated it, infact he was able to increase it substantially, he also ordered an extra cheque book whilst he was there, and used this to run the account beyond the overdraft facility.

You will both need to sign in order to convert the account to a sole account, so make an appointment and arrange for her to join you.

[m4tt]

Tell the bank your relationship has broken down and they can put a stop on it. Then you both need to sign a form to close/covert to sole account. However doing the above stops any increasing liability in it's tracks.