Both account holders must agree, or one person must act alone with legal authority
Closing a joint bank account requires either consent from both owners or a court order giving one person the right to act. If you and the other account holder agree, the process is straightforward: contact the bank, settle any outstanding transactions, withdraw or transfer the remaining balance, and submit a written request. If the other person refuses or cannot be reached, you will need a legal document—usually a divorce decree, power of attorney, or court judgment—that gives you authority to close the account without their signature.
The bank will not close a joint account on one person's request alone unless that person has legal documentation proving they can. This protection exists because both owners have equal rights to the money and the account itself. Attempting to close an account without the other owner's consent or legal authority can expose you to fraud claims or civil liability.
Key Takeaways
- If both owners agree, contact the bank with identification, request closure, and decide together how to split or transfer the balance.
- The bank will ask for written notice from both owners or a legal document authorizing one person to act alone.
- If the other owner refuses or is unreachable, you need a divorce decree, power of attorney, or court order to close the account without their signature.
- Expect the process to take one to three weeks if both owners cooperate, or several months if you must go through the courts.
- Any outstanding checks, automatic payments, or pending transfers must clear before the account fully closes.
Steps to close a joint account when both owners agree
Start by contacting the bank by phone or visiting a branch in person. Have both account holders' identification ready—a driver's license or passport. Tell the bank you want to close the account and ask what forms or documentation they require. Most banks will provide a written closure request form that both owners must sign.
Before the account closes, you must settle all pending transactions. Check for outstanding checks, automatic bill payments, and pending transfers. Wait for these to clear or cancel them. Withdraw or transfer the remaining balance to individual accounts or split it according to your agreement. Some banks will not close an account until the balance is zero or transferred out.
Submit the signed closure form to the bank along with any required identification. Ask for written confirmation of the closure and keep a copy for your records. The bank will typically close the account within one to three weeks. If either owner has direct deposit or automatic payments linked to the account, update those with new account information before closure.
What to do if one owner refuses to close the account
If the other account holder refuses to sign the closure request or cannot be located, you cannot close the account through the normal process. The bank will not act on a request from only one owner. Your options depend on your situation: if you are divorced, use the divorce decree; if the other person is incapacitated, obtain power of attorney; if there is a dispute over the money, file for a court order.
A divorce decree that awards the account to one spouse or orders it closed is the most common legal document banks accept. Bring the decree to the bank and request closure based on the court's order. If the decree does not specifically address the account, you may need to file a motion with the court to clarify or enforce the order.
A power of attorney document allows one person to act on behalf of another. This works only if the other account holder signed it while mentally capable and it specifically grants authority over bank accounts. The document must be notarized and current (some expire after a set time). Bring it to the bank along with identification for both the account holder and the person acting under the power of attorney.
If neither document exists and the other owner will not cooperate, you can petition the court for an order. This is the slowest route and typically costs money in filing fees and possibly attorney fees. The court will examine the circumstances—whether the account is needed for a child's support, whether one person is being locked out of their own money, or whether the account is being used for fraud. A judge can order closure and direct how the balance is split.
Handling the money before and after closure
Decide in advance how to handle the account balance. If you and the other owner agree, you can split the money equally, transfer it all to one person's account, or leave it in place if the account will remain open. Document this agreement in writing—a simple email or text message counts—so there is no dispute later.
If the account has a negative balance (overdraft), the bank may freeze it or demand payment before closure. Both owners are typically liable for overdrafts on a joint account, meaning either one can be pursued for the full amount. Settle any overdraft before requesting closure.
After closure, the account number becomes inactive. Any checks written against the account will bounce. Automatic payments will fail. Make sure all recurring payments—insurance, utilities, loan payments—are redirected to a new account at least one week before closure. Contact your employer or benefits provider if direct deposit is linked to the account.
Closing a joint account after death
When one account holder dies, the surviving owner can usually close the account, but the process varies by bank and state. Some banks freeze joint accounts upon learning of a death; others allow the survivor to continue using it. Contact the bank immediately and provide a death certificate.
If the deceased person's estate is being probated (going through court), the executor or administrator may need to be involved. The bank may require a court order or letters testamentary (a document proving the executor's authority) before releasing the balance. If there is no probate, the surviving owner can typically close the account and keep the balance, though some states have rules about what happens to the money if the deceased left a will.
If the account is held as "payable on death" (POD) or "transfer on death" (TOD), the bank may transfer the balance directly to a named beneficiary rather than to the surviving account holder. Check your account documents or ask the bank whether a beneficiary designation is in place.
What happens to linked services when you close the account
Closing a joint account affects anything connected to it. Direct deposit will fail on the next pay cycle. Automatic bill payments will bounce or be rejected. Debit cards tied to the account stop working. Update all of these before or immediately after closure.
Contact your employer, benefits provider, and creditors to change the account number on file. For bills paid automatically, log into each company's website or call to update your payment method. For direct deposit, submit a new form with your new account information. This usually takes one to two pay periods to take effect.
If you have checks printed for the joint account, stop using them immediately after closure. Any checks deposited after the account closes will be returned unpaid. If you need to write checks, open a new individual account and order checks from that account.
Timeline and what to expect at each stage
If both owners cooperate, closure typically takes one to three weeks from the date you submit the request. The bank will confirm receipt of your closure request, process any pending transactions, and send written confirmation when the account is closed. Some banks close accounts faster if the balance is zero.
If you need a court order, expect two to six months depending on your state's court system and whether the other person contests the closure. You will file a petition, serve the other account holder with notice, and attend a hearing. The judge will issue an order, which you then bring to the bank.
If the account involves a probate estate, closure can take several months while the estate is being settled. The executor must account for all assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute the remainder to heirs. The bank will hold the account until the executor provides the necessary court documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close a joint account online?
Most banks do not allow online closure of joint accounts because both owners must consent or provide legal documentation. You will need to visit a branch or call the bank's account services department. Some banks may allow one owner to request closure online, but the bank will contact the other owner to confirm before proceeding.
What if the other account holder has passed away and there is no will?
Contact the bank with a death certificate. The bank will explain whether the account goes to the surviving owner, the deceased person's estate, or a named beneficiary. If there is no will and no beneficiary designation, state law determines who inherits. You may need to go through probate court to settle the estate and close the account.
Do I need a lawyer to close a joint account without the other owner's consent?
You do not need a lawyer if you already have a legal document like a divorce decree or power of attorney. Bring it to the bank and request closure. If no such document exists, a lawyer can help you file a court petition, but the cost varies by state and complexity. Many courts allow people to file petitions without a lawyer.
Will closing the joint account affect my credit score?
Closing a joint account does not directly harm your credit score. However, if the account had a negative balance or unpaid overdraft, that may appear on your credit report. Closing the account does not erase past negative marks, but it stops new activity from being reported.
What if there is money in the account that the other owner claims is theirs?
Do not withdraw or transfer money without agreement from the other owner or a court order. If you disagree about who owns the money, the bank may freeze the account or require a court order before releasing it. A judge can decide how to split the balance based on evidence of who deposited the money and what the account was used for.