How to close a Joint Account

With my wife's erratic behaviour I am a bit worried about our joint account. Although I have moved my salary and everything else it has a large overdraft facility (never used). The bank says I can't close the account without her signature, nor can I stop her accessing or varying the overdraft facility without her signature.
How can this be sorted out. I can't believe I can't do anything, but don't want to rack up an expensive overdraft when things get inevitably tighter than she has been used to.

I had to do exactly this. I had a lot of bother I can tell you. In the end I went down to the branch and they did it. This was with Nationwide. They froze the account to start with. Make sure you have everything you need 1st. Then go down and tell them the situation. They take the card and cheque book off you and thats that. Its up to your other half to do the rest. But as long as you have surrenred your card and CB you are OK.

Natwest were another matter entirely. I am not sure if this is closed. I have written letter after letter. But at least I have enough of a paper trail should all go wrong then I will be OK. Good Luck. Chris

I had a similar situation. My x2b has a gambling problem and had run up debts so i moved all the bills to my account and asked him to sign to shut the joint account, which he refused to do so i went to the bank (Barclays) and asked them to remove the overdraft facitlity which they have done. Now as no money and no bills go into or leave that account he has no interest in it. the account is still open but is currently dormant as i cant completly close it.

Hi

I would definitely explain what is happening to the bank.

Have you registered for internet banking?

I believe (not 100% sure) that if you register for this as the first named person on the account, the bank have to write to advise you if the second named person on the account ever applies for internet banking.

At least if you did set up internet banking you would be able to check on a daily basis if inappropriate spending had occurred and then you would be quicker to sorting it out if it did.

Good luck with it