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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How easy is it to remove a name off a joint bank account?

66 replies

iveleft40 · 30/10/2021 21:08

Really want my name off my joint account with my husband.

I want to open a new account asap and leave that one. He will still use it just for him.

I'm with HSBC

Anyone know if I can just remove my name without getting him involved?

OP posts:
MacMahon · 30/10/2021 21:11

My ex went to HSBC to do this. They asked why, he explained we’d broken up, they froze the account until we both went in together. They then took his name off the a/c.

unicornsarereal72 · 30/10/2021 21:12

If You wish to remove yourself from an account go and talk to the bank. I am sure they will be able to help with this. More difficult when the person being removed is not compliant.

MacMahon · 30/10/2021 21:13

If you’re married does it matter? Aren’t you a single financial unit?

SlugRose · 30/10/2021 21:13

Is it overdrawn?

Notthissticky · 30/10/2021 21:14

Not what you asked, but why is it so important you're not on the joint AC anymore? It shouldn't prevent you from opening another account? Maybe I'm naive and missing something though!

SlugRose · 30/10/2021 21:15

@MacMahon

If you’re married does it matter? Aren’t you a single financial unit?
Clearly it's not as simple as that or OP wouldn't be asking. Not everyone who is married shares 100% of their accounts. It can be better to have a savings account in each person's name individually for instance, or say there are kids from a previous marriage involved.
Original poster
iveleft40 · 30/10/2021 21:19

To explain properly, I've left him due to emotional abuse.

We have one joint bank account where all our money goes and the bills get paid.

I've moved out and want ti start a fresh with my own bank account.

Was hoping it would be easy and I could do it without him. I have absolutely zero chance of getting him to come into a bank with me.

OP posts:
Original poster
iveleft40 · 30/10/2021 21:21

It's not over drawn, there's nothing wrong with the account. Really don't need the account frozen, nothing will change to it, just my name removed

OP posts:
TotallySuper · 30/10/2021 21:21

Just open your own account and send your money there. Then contest to the bank about the joint account and they'll freeze it, then he can open his own sole account too.

TotallySuper · 30/10/2021 21:22

For info I do work for a bank

MacMahon · 30/10/2021 21:23

Give them a ring OP, see what they say.

But I do think it’s not as simple as you leaving the account. My earlier comment was not a reference to how married couples should behave, but pointing out the legal facts of the situation.

Original poster
iveleft40 · 30/10/2021 21:24

@TotallySuper

For info I do work for a bank
Thank you. Does that mean our joint account would have to close or could it remain open just in his name?
OP posts:
RitaTheBeater · 30/10/2021 21:25

I used to have a joint account with dh and we decided that we wanted to get rid if it for one reason or another and dh decided that he would keep the joint account as his current account.

I just went in with my passport and asked them to take my name off the account because we were going to have separate accounts.

So that's what I would do first. Make an appointment. Take ID. Go in tell them you want to take your name off and go into as little detail as possible. Tell them 'it's just a decision I've made' or 'I'm opening an account at HSBC' or something along those lines.

Original poster
iveleft40 · 30/10/2021 21:27

@RitaTheBeater

I used to have a joint account with dh and we decided that we wanted to get rid if it for one reason or another and dh decided that he would keep the joint account as his current account.

I just went in with my passport and asked them to take my name off the account because we were going to have separate accounts.

So that's what I would do first. Make an appointment. Take ID. Go in tell them you want to take your name off and go into as little detail as possible. Tell them 'it's just a decision I've made' or 'I'm opening an account at HSBC' or something along those lines.

Thanks, did your DH have to do anything in the end or was that enough?
OP posts:
TotallySuper · 30/10/2021 21:27

It would be frozen, forcing you both to open sole accounts and sort out your income and outgoings to go to/from the new account. Then eventually after a long period the account would be closed. Easiest way, if you're split you'll want it closed anyway. Another way to do it is only one of you needs to be present to close a joint account as they are "either to sign" so you could just go and close it - again removing your name by default and forcing you both to have sole accounts.

Embal1983 · 30/10/2021 21:30

Tell the bank the truth, that he has been abusive and you are leaving him and wish to remove yourself from the account, but obviously can’t see him. As long as it’s not in overdraft there should be no issues.

They’ll have policies in place for dealing with vulnerable customers.

Original poster
iveleft40 · 30/10/2021 21:31

@TotallySuper

It would be frozen, forcing you both to open sole accounts and sort out your income and outgoings to go to/from the new account. Then eventually after a long period the account would be closed. Easiest way, if you're split you'll want it closed anyway. Another way to do it is only one of you needs to be present to close a joint account as they are "either to sign" so you could just go and close it - again removing your name by default and forcing you both to have sole accounts.
Ok thank you. I was hoping he would be able to keep that account open as it would save me some grief with all the bill payments etc being set up.

Thank you for your help

OP posts:
TotallySuper · 30/10/2021 21:32

Few phone calls would easily change the direct debits to different account numbers. Done and dusted no agro. Good luck.

Original poster
iveleft40 · 30/10/2021 21:32

@Embal1983

Tell the bank the truth, that he has been abusive and you are leaving him and wish to remove yourself from the account, but obviously can’t see him. As long as it’s not in overdraft there should be no issues.

They’ll have policies in place for dealing with vulnerable customers.

I hope so! I couldn't even imagine having to meet him at the bank. Plus he wouldn't go anyway, he would make it as difficult as possible for me.

I'll just call them tomorrow and go in next week

OP posts:
TotallySuper · 30/10/2021 21:33

@Embal1983

Tell the bank the truth, that he has been abusive and you are leaving him and wish to remove yourself from the account, but obviously can’t see him. As long as it’s not in overdraft there should be no issues.

They’ll have policies in place for dealing with vulnerable customers.

They do you're right but it would open a massive can of worms and they would still just freeze the account and would need to speak with the other account holder. Not worth the hassle when it's simple to just get new accounts.
Original poster
iveleft40 · 30/10/2021 21:34

@TotallySuper

Few phone calls would easily change the direct debits to different account numbers. Done and dusted no agro. Good luck.
I don't need to pay the bills anymore - he does. I wish that meant no agro but unfortunately not.
OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 30/10/2021 21:34

You need to go together and take your name off it. Or you just open your own account

TheGoodEnoughWife · 30/10/2021 21:35

Really difficult in my experience. My husband died and they wouldn't accept an interim death certificate (he died in a rtc and we were awaiting an inquest) to remove him from our joint account - which is bizarre as the only reason you have an interim death certificate for a person is because, you know, they have died!

I could however shut the count without him present, no problems, which is what I did.

RitaTheBeater · 30/10/2021 21:38

Thanks, did your DH have to do anything in the end or was that enough?
No, he didn't do anything at all.

Maybe they would have frozen it if I'd gone in and told them we were splitting up but I didn't. I was just taking my business elsewhere.

TotallySuper · 30/10/2021 21:38

Ok so all you need to sort is your own income? So just go and close the account,open your own joint one and let him crack on sorting out his own account and setting the bills back up etc. Simplest way to sort it.

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