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Original poster

If I dropped dead tomorrow, could DH access my bank accounts?

75 replies

FlamingoAndJohn · 02/06/2020 22:01

We haven’t made wills, and I know we should.
I have more in savings than DH as I had a small inheritance a few years ago.

It occurred to me today that if I were to drop dead DH might need that money but as it’s in my name alone I don’t know if he would be allowed to access it.

Anyone know?

OP posts:
Gingernaut · 02/06/2020 22:02

Nope.

Your accounts become part of your estate and only the executor/s can access them.

daisydukes7576 · 02/06/2020 22:03

Not until he gets permission (letters of administration from the courts if you do not have a will). This could take months even years depending how complicated your estate is.

A will would speed this timescale up significantly but still a few months.

Original poster
FlamingoAndJohn · 02/06/2020 22:03

Even though we are married?

OP posts:
Plancina · 02/06/2020 22:04

It won’t matter if you’re married. You need to make a will!

daisydukes7576 · 02/06/2020 22:04

If you a married he would inherit if you don't have a will.

How much he inherits depends on how much you are worth but still you are talking months and possibly years before he can access it.

daisydukes7576 · 02/06/2020 22:05

The other posters are right you really need a will!

WhatWouldDominicDo · 02/06/2020 22:05

Why don't you put it in a joint account?

Original poster
FlamingoAndJohn · 02/06/2020 22:05

We need to sort out wills don’t we.
I just blindly assumed that he would just get all my assets and vice versa

OP posts:
Original poster
FlamingoAndJohn · 02/06/2020 22:07

@WhatWouldDominicDo

Why don't you put it in a joint account?
Because it’s my money. We keep our finances separate. I know some people find it odd that married people do this but it works for us.
OP posts:
lboogy · 02/06/2020 22:07

Funny I was just thinking this ..

diege · 02/06/2020 22:08

Hmm I can only go on my personal experience. When dh died I was able to access his bank accounts (in his name only) up to a certain amount without going through probate, but this was to pay for funeral expenses... I remember the funeral director going through it with me, but otherwise that time was a bit of a blur!

ClaraEccles · 02/06/2020 22:09

If you a married he would inherit if you don't have a will

How much he inherits depends on how much you are worth but still you are talking months and possibly years before he can access it.

You’ve alluded to it in your 2nd paragraph but the first paragraph isn’t entirely correct if there are DC which isn’t clear from the OP

Your Dh would get the first £270k (if you live in England... not sure about rest of us) plus all personal possessions. The rest would be split.

www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will

He would have instant access in any event.

Get a will, OP!

rottiemum88 · 02/06/2020 22:09

Because it’s my money.

Wouldn't worry too much about him having it once you're dead then Hmm

Institutkarite · 02/06/2020 22:09

If the account is in your name, he would not be able to gain access to your account.
When it comes to bank accounts the account is only accessible to the person named on the account. Marriage makes no difference to this at all.

TheCatsBlanket · 02/06/2020 22:09

daisydukes I'm not sure, but I thought that no matter if married, if there's no will, it doesn't necessarily go to the spouse upon death. It's probable but I don't think it's a 'given'.....I could be wrong though

ClaraEccles · 02/06/2020 22:09

wouldn’t have

ClaraEccles · 02/06/2020 22:10

not sure about rest of UK

Original poster
FlamingoAndJohn · 02/06/2020 22:11

No DC.
And the issue with making a will is that I don’t have any family either really.

OP posts:
frazzledasarock · 02/06/2020 22:12

When my aunty died my uncle couldn’t access his wife’s accounts, he was very annoyed about it. He did eventually get access.

PermanentTemporary · 02/06/2020 22:13

It DOES make a difference if you're married but it may be at the bank's discretion if there's no will. If the amounts involved are 'small' (eg in my case the bank's idea of small was under £50k!) they may decide to release the money to you anyway.

Things that really do help:
-Yes, do wills. Makes things much much easier. It takes very little time and then it's done.
-KNOW EACH OTHER'S EMAIL PASSWORD.

Most other things are pretty fixable. The great thing is that every company is terrified of giving a grieving widow/er a hard time and getting slated for it in the Daily Mail. They bend over backwards to help as soon as you say the word 'widow'.

ClaraEccles · 02/06/2020 22:13

Also, a will would lay out who inherits in the event both of you die simultaneously.

It doesn’t have to be too expensive. Definitely worth it.

TimeWastingButFun · 02/06/2020 22:16

It sounds complicated. When we got married we pooled everything. I sold my house and paid off my husband's mortgage as we decided to live at his house. All the bank accounts are jointly owned except for one each where we pay ourselves an allowance for indulgent stuff, to help keep tabs on it. I can't see a reason to keep it separate unless you don't trust each other.

TimeWastingButFun · 02/06/2020 22:17

Ditto what others have said about wills. Why on earth would you not make a will??

Nearlyalmost50 · 02/06/2020 22:22

It is not true you can't get at the money, it depends on the amount. Not all banks will require full probate/letters of administration to release the amount, one bank was under £20,000 which is quite a lot!

CMOTDibbler · 02/06/2020 22:26

I'm dealing with my parents estate at the moment. You can get the bank to pay for funeral cost out of the account, but thats it. If theres no will, then the whole process is more complex, and time consuming.
Make a will. Put provision in there to leave everything to him, and if he predeceases you, leave it to the dogs home (or the charities you like, or friends, or whatever you fancy), but it will be a lot easier to sort out if you do.