A joint checking account is one in which all parties on the account have equal rights to access the account and the funds within it. They're common among married couples, family members and parents and their children. This account type is distinct from an account with an authorized user, which simply allows one party to use the account. Owners of joint accounts have equal rights, and one party can't close the account without the permission of the other party.
Ownership
Joint owners share equally in ownership of the account. This means that major decisions about the account -- including the decision to close the account, change the type of account or remove one party's name from the account -- require joint permission. This can pose a problem if one owner lives in another state or if co-owners disagree about what to do with the account or the funds in it.
Access
Joint ownership means that both parties have equal access to the funds in the account, regardless of who made the money or deposited the funds. Your co-owner can remove all the money from the account, withdraw more than his fair share or transfer money from the joint account to a personal account. There's generally no recourse if one owner takes more than his fair share from the account unless there's a contract governing the account. For example, if two business owners had a written agreement indicating that withdrawals in excess of $500 required written permission, one party might be able to sue the party who violated this agreement.
Survivorship
If one owner of the account dies, full ownership of the account transfers to the other party. When the owner of an individual account dies, however, he must will his bank account to someone. The co-owner's right to the account supersedes the rights of any other family members, and because the funds are considered equally owned, will usually even override a will.
Considerations
The most important consideration in opening up a joint account is to choose someone you trust completely. Even then, it can be wise to draw up a contract governing how the funds will be used. Joint accounts can also affect taxes if the accounts bear interest, because both parties are co-owners of the interest. If you own an account with someone with whom you do not co-file your taxes, you might need assistance from a tax adviser.
References
- Wells Fargo: Getting Married? Learn About Joint Checking Accounts and More
- Bankrate.com: Risks of Joint Bank Accounts
- Bank of America. "Our First Bank Account." Accessed April 20, 2020.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "A Closer Look: Overdraft and the Impact of Opting-In," Page 1. Accessed April 20, 2020.
- Code of Virginia. "§ 6.2-606. Ownership During Lifetime; Garnishment, Attachment, or Levy." Accessed April 20, 2020.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "Either Person on the Joint Account Generally Has the Right to Move Funds or Close the Account." Accessed April 20, 2020.
- University Credit Union. "Membership Agreement." Accessed April 20, 2020.
- BBT. "Bank Services Agreement," Page 7. Accessed April 20, 2020.
- Wells Fargo. "Opening and Closing Accounts Questions." Accessed April 20, 2020.
- GreenState Credit Union. "Closing Your Account." Accessed April 20, 2020.
- Suntrust. "Rules and Regulations for Deposit Accounts," Page 28. Accessed April 20, 2020.
- Bank of America. "Telling Your Bank It’s Over." Accessed April 20, 2020.
- Washington and Lee Law Review. "Virginia's Equitable Distribution Law: An Owner's Manual," Page 9. Accessed April 20, 2020.
Writer Bio
Van Thompson is an attorney and writer. A former martial arts instructor, he holds bachelor's degrees in music and computer science from Westchester University, and a juris doctor from Georgia State University. He is the recipient of numerous writing awards, including a 2009 CALI Legal Writing Award.