JOINT BANK ACCOUNT

Since separation we have maintained a joint bank account that we each pay into (a proportion each as set before split). STBX has cancelled our overdraft agreement (without consultation even though we are meant to be only discussing and agreeing things in Mediation); transferred £2000 to his own account and says he's going to freeze the account in the next few days. He has also cancelled his payment into the joint account. He was talking a few days ago about wanting all the direct debits to be split so that each was taken 50/50 from each of our personal bank accounts. He is now suggesting that the 'joint account' is assigned to me as a 'house account' - a bit academic if he's not paying anything in.

Over the last year he has been overspending on himself, 'changing direction' with his business, paying in excess of £1000 a month rent for a 3 bedroomed house, 4 holidays etc. etc. so now claims he has no money. I am on a modest income and am only just finding my feet again as I have been suffering with depression and anxiety. We have a big mortgage and I cannot cover all the associated household costs myself.

I didn't think he could 'freeze' the account without my permission. My knee jerk reaction is just to set the ball rolling with an application for ancillary relief and MPS.

So fuddled I don't know what I'm asking anymore but I need help!

yes, it is a bit confusing...lol
Basically joint bank accounts are a dangerous thing in any seperation.
I had one with my ex and we kept it for the mortgage and life ins.
She tok over all the utilities as, after all she was living in the house, I wasnt, I was renting elsewhere and had my own bills now.
With benefits and cm from me she had enough to runt he house and pay half the mortgage.
However eventually through some strange agreement with benefits she decided to not pay enough in, the account went overdrawn and accrued charges, she denied she knew why, so I closed the account after paying the overdraft and charges.

It si best to get things sorted asap and do away with joint accounts.
There will be reasons behind what he is doing, its just you aint party to all those? and thats the hard part.
Best advice is strip your outgoings to minimum and start again with another account.

I've been cutting down and going without for the last 15 months while he's been living it up. Can't manage the payments on my own.

Can he actually freeze the account without my permission?

Bank have answered my question. Yes, he can freeze the account (having already withdrawn £2000 for himself). Knee jerk reaction is to go and take out what's left but that would probably not reflect well on my integrity.

Feel like I'm back to ­base­ again. Had GP appointment today and have to go back tomorrow as I was very close to putting and end to it all again last night. Got to stay strong and not let the b-----d win.

Action, been there, I know these are only words but hang in there. So what if he is living it up, what goes around comes around.
You will get your head above water eventually, please don't worry too much, it will get better, ,I promise.

((((Action))))

As Boobbinalong said hang in there. It is so hard when it seems like the world is against you, been there,done that,got the t-shirt... And it seems never ending, but one day it will suddenly start getting easier and there will be light at the end of the tunnel. When my ex left we still had a joint account which I left open as he paid his half of mortgage into it (he's since stopped that and left me to pay!) but I reduced the overdraft to a very low amount. Unfortunately if it's joint then either of you have to right to remove money, or freeze it, but you can't close it without both consent.

May be wrong but if you apply for ancillary relief and MPS and lose, you may end up paying the court fees for him as well??? Someone in the know will tell you if that's correct?

In the meantime, deep breath and keep posting.

xxxx