Forum Opinion

[timwendi]

I would like the opinion of you posters. If one partner of a married couple has spent all of their money recklessly and runs out before his or her next pay day is it ok in your opinion to just go ahead and use the other spouses account without permission?

[issylu]

I would think it would depend if your name was on the account with your mate's and it says "either/or" couples names or if it says husband AND wife. As an example---account reads Dick or Jane requiring only one signature or it reads Dick and Jane requiring both signatures. Of course it also hinges on how well the two are getting along.

[odon11]

I would like the opinion of you posters. If one partner of a married couple has spent all of their money recklessly and runs out before his or her next pay day is it ok in your opinion to just go ahead and use the other spouses account without permission?

Yes!

[odon11]

I would think it would depend if your name was on the account with your mate's and it says "either/or" couples names or if it says husband AND wife. As an example---account reads Dick or Jane requiring only one signature or it reads Dick and Jane requiring both signatures. Of course it also hinges on how well the two are getting along.

Is NY a community property state?

[NEWUSER]

I think it would depend on some underlying factors. What is recklessly? Are the household bills all paid? Does the other spouse control the family budget. Is there a family budget, and do both parties contribute? In our house, I pay all of the bills, but my husband contrubtes to the fund. Would I appreciate him dipping into that money. No, absoutley not. First thing first. That is the well being of my family. No excuses, no exceptions.

[bigdaddyc9]

Absolutely not w/o your permission.A marriage is 50-50 not 90-10! Good luck-Peace and One Love BigD

[issylu]

I don't think you can legally sign another persons name on their checks. That being said I know it is done all the time in marriages. However if someone calls the bank and wants to press charges I think they can!!!! Lets say the wife is ticked at the man because he spent all the money on booze and not on bills. She gets ahold of one of his checks , signs his name and cashes it for X amount of dollars --her husband discovers it and is irate , calls the bank and files charges.

[odon11]

I don't think you can legally sign another persons name on their checks. That being said I know it is done all the time in marriages. However if someone calls the bank and wants to press charges I think they can!!!! Lets say the wife is ticked at the man because he spent all the money on booze and not on bills. She gets ahold of one of his checks , signs his name and cashes it for X amount of dollars --her husband discovers it and is irate , calls the bank and files charges.

Depends on the state, that's why I asked if NY is a community property state.

My ex tried to do that. We had two separate accounts, he took one of my checks, wrote it out to himself for $5,000, signed my name and deposited it in his account. I went to the bank and stopped the check so it bounced when it tried to clear. I was told by the police that in a community property state what was mine was also his until divorce and they did nothing about it.

[NEWUSER]

Yes, it is a community property state, but I think it is still not legal for me to sign my husband's name on a check, or for him to sign mine. If we have a joint account, with both of our names on it, then both of us can draw from it. That's what we do--he has his, I have mine, and we have ours. Ours comes first, then of course Mine and his brings up the rear...

[timwendi]

Let me clarify this. This is 2 happily married people with 2 joint checking accounts. Both paying the bills. One spends recklessly and frivolously and doesn't budget their money paycheck to paycheck (which they would have plenty of money if they did so)so they run out of funds. They take from their partners account without their knowledge and then cause bounced checks and such in the partners account. The partner may have checks out that haven't cleared or actually need it to get gas for themselves to get to and from work.The one responsible partner then has to pay the price for the others irresponsibility. It is stealing in my eyes. No different than going into their wallet or purse and taking money without the other persons knowledge. I'm not saying each person shouldn't help when and if they can....I'm saying let the other person know........don't just go ahead and take it and cause a hardship to the other person.It is total disrespect!

[odon11]

Sounds like lack of communication.

Maybe it would be better for them to have separate bank accounts and not joint accounts. That way each one can manage their own money and not mess up credit etc.

[timwendi]

Sounds like lack of communication.

Maybe it would be better for them to have separate bank accounts and not joint accounts. That way each one can manage their own money and not mess up credit etc.

With that being said..........and I totally agree........do you think it is right or wrong and why do feel that way. Do you still say yes odon?
I see this sort of thing happening with friends and family and some have actually spit up over this financial issue.
Jessica I would love to hear your opinion..........and Maggies.Maybe I should write this to Shayne on you.

[barfly]

I see this sort of thing happening with friends and family and some have actually spit up over this financial issue.

Well that's certainly an unusual reaction! My wife and I have just one joint account and I handle the finances. When we got married we decided to discuss almost all our purchases before they are made. Each of us has an equal allowance to spend as we wish but, after that spending has to be agreed upon together. This doesn't work for everyone. If one partner can not be trusted then you have no choice but to have seperate accounts.

[issylu]

I agree with Odon----each have their own separate accounts and then a third account that needs both their signatures for household and family expenses.

[Shanni]

I see this sort of thing happening with friends and family and some have actually spit up over this financial issue.

Well that's certainly an unusual reaction! My wife and I have just one joint account and I handle the finances. When we got married we decided to discuss almost all our purchases before they are made. Each of us has an equal allowance to spend as we wish but, after that spending has to be agreed upon together. This doesn't work for everyone. If one partner can not be trusted then you have no choice but to have seperate accounts.

That is how we do it too and it works great for us.

They take from their partners account without their knowledge and then cause bounced checks and such in the partners account. The partner may have checks out that haven't cleared or actually need it to get gas for themselves to get to and from work.The one responsible partner then has to pay the price for the others irresponsibility. It is stealing in my eyes. No different than going into their wallet or purse and taking money without the other persons knowledge

I think it's a complete lack of respect which is never good in a marriage.