When changing a joint account to single ownership, it is recommended that the joint account be closed (with both parties present to authorize the closure). If you wish to have a name removed without closing the account, both joint account holders must visit the branch to sign new documentation.
A joint bank account is an account taken out by people who usually live together to pay shared bills.
Some joint accounts can only be opened with one other person, whilst some banks allow you to have more than two people as account holders.
Joint account holders have equal access to money in a joint account and to the money that might be in overdraft or credit.
How do I take my name off a joint bank account?
If you're thinking about taking a name off of a joint account, it's important to look at other related things like any insurance, bills or loans that might be affected alongside the joint account.
It's always better to discuss the removal of a name first with a whoever is also on the joint account, instead of going ahead without the other joint account holders knowing what's happening.
Outstanding overdrafts that were part of your joint account could be asked to be paid back and having debt left on your joint account could affect your personal credit score. It's also important to look at the way your joint account has been set up, so you agree on things like the overdraft limit being increased or money being withdrawn. If bills, direct debits or standing orders also come out of your joint account, you'll need to agree on how this will work too.
The first thing to do would be to contact your bank, as different banks might have different ways to go about this. Most banks will require written instructions that need to be signed by all parties on the account and some banks require all account holders to be present when removing an account holder. With a Monzo joint account, this can be done through the app.
How do I remove a joint account holder from a credit account?
If you're closing a credit joint account, the balance will need to be sorted out first. Payment might be expected from everyone in the joint account, despite the fact only one person might've been responsible for the debt on the credit card.
It's usually more difficult to remove a joint account holder from a credit account (instead of a current account or savings account). This is because members of the joint account would have received credit based on the income and personal credit scores of all account holders.
The best thing to do would be to get in touch with your bank or building society directly and see what options you have. Some banks will ask for the account balance to be paid off, before allowing the joint account to close.
A joint bank account gives more than one person access to the funds in the account for writing checks and making withdrawals. Joint accounts work well for teenagers and parents as well as for spouses who comingle their finances. If a situation changes and you no longer want to share an account with someone else, you’ll need to remove your name from the joint account. Each financial institution has its own process for handling name removals from accounts.
Step 1
Contact the bank to find out the process of closing the joint account. If the bank is local, visit the bank in person. If you can’t visit the bank in person, call a customer service number, having your account number ready to provide to the representative.
Step 2
Inform a representative that you want to remove your name from the joint account. If you have the designation of “primary” account holder, you should be able to move forward with removing your name, according to the Carolina Postal Credit Union. Removing your name in this situation will restructure the account from joint to single, creating a new account with a new number for the other account holder.
Step 3
Fill out a form to request your removal from the account if you’re not the primary account holder. Sign the form and submit it to the bank. The bank will notify the primary account holder for permission to proceed. It’s necessary to notify the primary account holder before moving forward, because the bank will restructure the account and issue a new account number to the primary account holder.
Tip
Removing your name from a joint credit card account is slightly different. You’ll have some factors to consider, including any account balance that exists and the status of each account holder, states attorney Jay S. Fleischman, with Shaev & Fleischman, a financial consulting firm. If the account has a balance due and your status is that of “joint owner,” you have liability for the debt. If you were only an “authorized user,” you aren’t liable for the debt. Contact the credit card company about removing your name and you’ll probably get forms to complete. Return the completed forms by certified mail and wait for the credit card company’s decision. Contact them to follow up if more than 60 days go by without receiving a decision. If you can’t remove your name from a credit card account, close it to protect yourself from future debt.
Warning
Depending on the type of account, a bank might analyze the remaining account holder's financial information to make sure she's a safe financial risk after removing you from the account, warns Capital One. If the bank determines that the remaining account holder isn't a suitable risk without you as a joint owner, the bank may close the account.
Related Articles
Related
How to Resubmit a FAFSA
Related
How to Apply for a Federal Pell Grant Online
Related
How to Access Last Year's FAFSA
Related
How to File a Complaint Against the Federal Student Aid Department
Related
How Long Before a Twitter Account is Deleted?
Related
How to Not Let Anyone on Facebook Know You Are on Instagram
Related
Transferring My AT&T Email Account to a Gmail Account
Related
How to Check My Financial Aid from the University of Phoenix
Tips
- Removing your name from a joint credit card account is slightly different. You’ll have some factors to consider, including any account balance that exists and the status of each account holder, states attorney Jay S. Fleischman, with Shaev & Fleischman, a financial consulting firm. If the account has a balance due and your status is that of “joint owner,” you have liability for the debt. If you were only an “authorized user,” you aren’t liable for the debt. Contact the credit card company about removing your name and you’ll probably get forms to complete. Return the completed forms by certified mail and wait for the credit card company’s decision. Contact them to follow up if more than 60 days go by without receiving a decision. If you can’t remove your name from a credit card account, close it to protect yourself from future debt.
Warnings
- Depending on the type of account, a bank might analyze the remaining account holder's financial information to make sure she's a safe financial risk after removing you from the account, warns Capital One. If the bank determines that the remaining account holder isn't a suitable risk without you as a joint owner, the bank may close the account.
Writer Bio
Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. As a regular contributor to Natural News, many of Hatter's Internet publications focus on natural health and parenting. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon.