Bank accounts in other peoples names - Civil Recovery

[aneray]

My partner has a bank account in the name of her daughter which was opened about thirteen years ago. If any money is taken out my partner would have to sign for it as she is the main holder, I also have an account in my sons name which is the same.

Since leaving home and going to live with her grandparents at the age of fourteen, my partners daughter is demanding that the account should be changed into just her own name, giving her access to the money. The money put into the account is from birthdays, money saved up and gifts. We would rather leave it as it is until she is older but now her grandparents are threatening civil recovery. Can they do this even though the account is in my partners name.

[redcrx]

"My partner has a bank account in the name of her daughter "
"the account is in my partners name"

which is it, are there any restrictions on the account at all? If in the childs name and with the childs money then its really hers.

[aneray]

sorry to sound confusing. the account is in my partners name. she opened it for her daughter whose name is on it as well. her daughter cannot access it without her signature.

[ummmm]

How old is the child now?

[aneray]

She is now fourteen. We want to keep the money 'safe' for her for later, maybe for a car or studies. Her grandparents have 'advised' her to go through civil recovery. Does she have any grounds seeing as though the account is in my partners name.

[ummmm]

I really don't know but the fact is it's her money and her name is also on the account.

[factor-fiction]

So are you happy to lose your daughter but keen to keep control of her money? Are the grandparents officially responsible now for bringing her up? Who gets the child benfefit

[northernmonkey]

Hi
If I'm not mistaken then your Partners signature is needed on a form which gives her consent for the account to be changed into just the young persons name.

From what you have said.....it is similar to my old account - which I went into my branch and then once my Mum signed, account got put into my name....

[aneray]

Factor 30 If you only knew the heartache we are going through you might understand, the bullying we have experienced over the last ten years from my partners ex inlaws, the threats, the many times the police have been involved, the silent phone calls at two in the morning, of course we are not happy. Seeing as though you asked, no we don't get her child benefit, that pays for her fathers beer, and no her grandparents are not officially responsible.

Thanks for the reply Northernmonkey - just as I thought.

[boxtops]

I think you will need to ask the bank. They may have rules about minimum ages for children holding and managing their own accounts - it may be that a parental signature is needed, say, up to age 16.

[northernmonkey]

No problems, glad to have been able to answer your question.
Also, sorry to hear that you've had such a tough time. Good luck with this.
All the best for the Future.