Advice about joint bank account after DH taken into long term care

Sorry to hear about the very sad situation with your husband.

I dont want to upset at all. But you may need to start thinking about a sorting out a Will, a prepaid Funeral Plan and a Lasting Power of Attorney to make sure you eveything is covered for you.

Also find out from the Land Registry whose name any property you have is registered in

Good Solicitors often have Will Writing and LPA applcation services at fixed prices

Even if you don't have a lot of assets or money.

Please get this matters sorted out soonish.

All the Best
😻

As a Retired Bank Manager, my advice is to continue to use the joint account as normal. There is no need to amend anything at the Bank until your husband is deceased.

Seek advice from DWP re advising timescales re hospitalisations or care home placement re benefits received presently.

Also re any benefits you may be entitled too.

You will need details of any savings, bills etc etc.

Age UK are very helpful as is your local Social Security department whether in Scotland, England or Wales.

If you google your local council area you should find telephone numbers etc.

Going forward regarding absence of Power of Attorney please seek legal advice in conjunction with do you have a joint will? etc etc.

Having lost my husband in 2007 from a personal perspective, please also make time for your self care.
Accept assistance from family as required and/or a close trusted friend.

I’m sorry that you are in thus position and hope the above helps.

Get in contact with UK age concern or Citizens advice.

If DH was in hospital for 6 weeks or more his benefits will have reduced if not stopped. Sure you are aware DWP have to be informed of his admissions to hospital and care home. As to joint bank account tgere shoukd be no problem you having changed solely to your name. When my DH died I did that with no problem. Credit card issued on the account was dealt with by a new card being issued. You have been dealing with a lot of very stressful situations. Look after yourself.

My mum was in a similar position with Dad. He always had to have at least a few notes in his wallet but was forever losing it. We got toy money and put that in and he was happy. Not lot of help but you may have to take it a bit further and make sure he has an upto date copy of a bank acc statement but just change the date. sorry not a lot of help.

Thank you all for the kind words. Just talking to people who have been in a similar situation is such a big help to me emotionally. My family has been excellent but they are all going through their own emotions. I definitely will seek advice from Age Concern. I’ve checked out the website but I can’t seem to digest the words I’m reading. I think an actual conversation would probably sink in easier. Again thank you all.

When my husband was no longer capable I just continued to use the joint bank account as normal. It was an either or signature not a both signatures needed account, which obviously makes a massive difference.

After he died it was just transferred to my name only.

I don’t think the bank account as such is a concern but if there are no benefits going in and direct debits etc still going out that is a worry.

Some banks/building societies like Nationwide do have people you can talk to in situations like this but most of the big banks don’t have bank managers any more. It depends who you’re with.

I too would advise contacting Age UK. in these tragic circumstances.

Here is a link to all the Factsheets they do. Several could be of use to you www.ageuk.org.uk/services/information-advice/guides-and-factsheets/ But give them a phone call. All local branches of Age UK have information centres and call numbers. Their number will be online.

What also needs saying is that you must take care of yourself. My passion is singing and I used family or carers so that I could continue to run a choir once and week and attend choral society rehearsals. These were sacrosanct and written in stone - nothing stopped these. It kept me sane. You cannot let his care become all of your life. The kind man you have described would not want that.

sankev - my heart goes out to you - I went through exactly this situation - my husband eventually died 5 years ago.

I realise that I am never actually going to get my kind caring husband back. - this jumped out at me and tugged at my heart. I remember this so well. and he too thought I was trying to murder him - he also lost a lot of the normal social niceties and restraints that determine human relationships and some of his behaviour towards e was very unacceptable. He had Parkinsons and became out of touch with reality following hip surgery after a fall. Everything was tried but there was no going back.

When the time comes for long term care please take all the help on offer. Age UK is a wonderful resource for advice on all aspects of this situation - please give them a ring and explain your situation and they will help.

The financials can be complicated unless you know the system and they do.

I had a joint bank account with my husband and it made life massively easier. I just continued to use the account as before and the bank did not even know that anything had changed. After his death they were very helpful indeed over what needed doing.

I am sending you a heartfelt hug - I hope you have some family or friends around you as well. Everyone is so tied up in the practical issues that the emotional toll on a partner gets pushed into the background - but I do truly understand. Take care.

Thank you Allsorts. I do have a good family around me and believe me I have researched all the online resources I can find. My problem is I really don’t seem to be able to take any of the information in. It’s just all jumbled up in my head. I’m hoping that someone with some personal experience will be able to offer advice. Many thanks for your kind words.

Banking law is a minefield for ordinary people. My son specialises in it. I suggest you contact a lawyer who can advise on the best way forward. My sympathy to you

First of all you need the right people to advise you. If you have a joint bank account you can get an appointment with the manager of tge bank and explain the situation.. I know when my husband died I had my name taken off our joint account and then the account was in my sole name, so yours will be fine I think,. He has gone for a six week assessment, notify the payment department where his payments come from after that assessment, but try not to touch the benefits until you are sorted. You need the help, you should be entitled to money in your own right if your husband is to remain in hospital, then you can get work and dirt out your finances,. Ask the hospital if they have someone to help you.
Hopefully someone who has experience of your sutuatiin will read your post and be of help..
It makes me annoyed there isn't anyone to help you, ,everything is on line these days, you need a person.
I am so sorry after all your love and care for each other you have this worry. What a dreadful illness to have and you know all his anger isn't the real him, it's the condition.