Joint accounts and credit cards
With a joint bank or building society account on which either of you can draw, there is the risk that the account could be cleared out by one of you without the other knowing about it. To prevent this, you can ask the bank or building society manager to change the arrangement so that cheques can be drawn only with both signatures. Alternatively you could ask for the account to be frozen (although then neither of you would be able to draw out funds).
Similarly, where each of you has a credit card or cash withdrawal card for drawing against one account, it is usually wiser, from the main cardholder’s point of view, to put a stop on the cards.
You must tell the card company and send back the cards (including if possible, spouse/partner’s card). A new card will then be issued to the main cardholder.
There are other practical steps to be taken, upon which we can advise.
Consult the experts. For more information or a free legal opinion telephone 020-7381-8111 (24 hour service) or email law@rhplaw.co.uk.
