Probate

If it’s a joint account, you can take the money out and close the account. Open another in your name?

No you don’t. If it’s a joint account it automatically transfers to the remaining spouse.

What you need to do is close the account and then open a new one with the money.

I’m afraid you will need a death certificate which can be distressing. If all assets are joint you may not even need probate at all. 💐

Our joint accounts have always been described as "Either or survivor". Have you perhas been given wrong information by a member of staff at the building society? I'm not surprised you're angry though. Sending virtual hugs and

How unreasonable. Our bank had to see the death certificate. I already had power of attorney. I therefore had access to the joint account almost immediately. Your building society should have a bereavement team for you to talk to. The same process should work when the children have to do this.

And if you do need probate it’s not difficult to do it yourself. No need to pay a solicitor and even if you decide to do that it should be a flat fee not a percentage.

I do sympathise because it’s unknown territory at a time when we are least able to deal with it💐

Our account was in both our names and automatically changed to just me. The Building Society just wanted to see the death certificate. The only delay was getting his ISA transferred to me. He had made a will but I don't think I used it for anything.

Rules of survivorship means the joint account reverts to you. Check again with them. From working in the financial services sector a lot of staff don’t know about probate etc because it’s a rare event and they more then likely have a central team dealing with it. No excuse though, make an appointment with the manager. Good luck x

My husband died 4 months ago and all joint accounts including bank and building society were changed to single name they just had to see the death certificate. I would check again and speak to someone senior.

I did have to get probate as he had investments in his name but I did it myself, it was fairly simple and not expensive.

The bank had no problem in taking DH’s name from any joint accounts on production of a death certificate. The Building Society wanted a letter of administration to close DH’s ISA account and then wanted to see his executors. In the end, they just requested the executor’s details (both DDs), a copy of his final will, with an up to date solicitor’s signature and a death certificate. DH knew his prognosis and had reduced his balance significantly, but still several £thousands. I think I was lucky that I didn’t need probate and did it all myself.

Most companies or banks will accept an official death certificate, the only problem I had was with government departments

As said before. You have been misinformed by someone who needs more training. As said before you only needs a death certificate and that is all. That is why since the age if 70 we changed everything to joint named accounts. That is why we no longer have Isas. Also we only have a small amount in premium bonds as they are in single names.

Angh if it's a joint account and you were both signatures on it then there should have been no trouble. Ask to see the bank manager and remember to take in the death certificate and some form of photo ID . It's only any account just in his name that you can't touch as it's frozen. Probate takes at least 6 months even for a simple will.

It's best to always ask to speak to the bereavement department of any company you need to deal with.

When my MIL died last Christmas I did the probate as I was her executor. The whole thing took just 6 weeks so it doesn't always take 6 months. There was no property but a large sum in savings