Complaint Review: Wells Fargo Bank - Arvada Colorado

Your update confirms why you are in this situation.

no attorneys involved, as this was amicable

- Apparently your idea of amicable and your ex's idea of amicable two different things. As for not having an attorney, as you have found out there is no such thing as an amicable divorce.  You should have had an attorney to at least advise you, because like this I can guarantee you that there are things you did NOT think of.   One of the first things they would have said is that this needs to be handled BEFORE you got divorced. But as they say, hindsight is 20/20.

I can't make my ex stop using the account,

- That is your problem. As long as your ex continues to use the account you are not going to be able to close it.

That doesn't let Wells Fargo off the hook for refusing the close the account though.

- Yes it does, because even by the document you posted the account is NOT closed.  By your own words you can not keep her from using the account. As long as she is using it and there are pending transactions, and per the terms of ANY bank the account would not be closed.  Every bank I am aware of will wait 30-45 days before final closure to make sure that there are no pending items outstanding.   

I go out of my way to bring the account in good standings at a zero balance and request them to close the account

- Perhaps you shouldn't go out of your way to pay the balance.  Sorry but the term "doormat" comes to mind.  This may sound rough, but if you continue to pay the negative balance there is zero incentive for your ex to stop.  It may be time to let the account get closed to a negative balance.  Then hope you can minimize the effect on your credit.  It's either that or realize it is time to deal with your ex. Where if you can't come to an agreement, you may need to take legal action agsinst her.

Thank you for the response. You have already provided more information on the closing of the account than Wells Fargo has during this entire process. If they would have advised that it can take up to 30 days for the account to actually close then I wouldn't have even posted this complaint. But it's fine; Wells Fargo is handling, so thank you for the feedback.

Even if you brought the balance back to zero, if your ex refuses to stop using the account, then you are in need of a lawyer because you no longer have an amicable situation.  Now, as someone already said, you can sue your ex for the funds you paid out of pocket - if she is indeed responsible for the account.

Once the account is closed, as others have already said, the account doesn't actually close for 30 days.  The bank makes absolutely sure there are no other transactions that are going to post.  Just because you went to the bank and they told you the account is closed, doesn't mean your wife can't use the account.  Stop coming here and say they told you the account is closed - because no matter what they tell you...it isn't.  This has nothing to do with Wells, because Chase, BofA, and every other bank out there does this.

It's time to stop being Mr. Nice Guy with your ex - she is manipulating you and taking advantage of you.

Thank you for the feedback. Yes, the joint account should have been closed before the divorce was finalized (no attorneys involved, as this was amicable), instead of be trusting my ex would do the right thing as she continue to use it as her primary checking.

That doesn't let Wells Fargo off the hook for refusing the close the account though. If I go out of my way to bring the account in good standings at a zero balance and request them to close the account (which the banker advised was done!) then there is absolutely no reason for that account to still be open over a week later!

I can't make my ex stop using the account, but I can go pay the charges and immediatly ask that the account be closed when it's sitting at a zero balance. 

Why did you ignore your attorney’s recommendation that all joint accounts be closed prior to the dissolution of marriage?

They are correct. No bank will close an account with a negative balance. But they also are required to pay certain transactions that come in and this is likely what is happening. Your issue isn't because of the bank, but your ex.

I even was told by the bank on 3/13/20 that the account was closed and given a piece of documentation advising of this. Needless to say, the account is still show active with charges hitting it.

- That's not what the documentation said. It stated it would be closed once conditions were met which includes having all pending(pre-authorized) transactions posted.

Completely unacceptable, and since Wells Fargo has a reputation for treating their customers poorly, like opening up accounts without their permission, this doesn't surprise me that I find myself in this situation.

- Wells Fargo has nothing to do with your situation. You find yourself in this situation because your ex refuses to stop using the account. You would find yourself in the same situation regardless of the bank you are with.

If this is an ex-spouse not just an ex-girl/boy friend, hopefully you got a court order that states who is "responsible" for the account. If the ex is responsible, that isn't going to get you off the account, but you could take them back to court and make them financially responsible to reimburse you all the funds you paying. The court may even put in an order that requires your ex to stop using the account and open a new account.  Even if you don't have documenation from the court, you may still be able to go after them but would not be as clear.

If you talk to your ex that, threat alone may be enough for them to stop using the account and allowing it to be closed.

Good Luck