A woman has shared her shock and anger after learning that her husband took money out of bank accounts they set up for their children’s future and used it to help buy a house
After a breakup, it can be difficult to trust your former partner again, but one woman has been left reeling after her ex betrayed not only her trust but also took money from their children.
The unnamed mum has turned to the internet for some much-needed advice after learning her ex-husband withdrew £8,000 from the bank accounts they had set up for their two children.
The bank accounts, which he had control of, were intended to provide for the little ones’ futures, with the parents saving over the years and other family members paying money in as well.
Since splitting up, the mum wasn’t sure how much exactly was in the accounts, but she estimated the joint total to be around £11,000.
However, she’s since learned the amount has been depleted by her ex and she’s furious.
Writing in a post on BabyCentre, the parent said she’d become suspicious about the accounts and couldn’t believe when her worst suspicions were confirmed.
She said: “When me and the ex-husband were together we set up bank accounts for our two children. They are accounts that are linked to his account as his bank had the best child-saving accounts at the time. As such, he has control of them, I have no idea how much money is in them and cannot find out.
“As they are linked to his account he can withdraw money from them. Every Christmas my parents deposited a few hundred pounds into each of the accounts, and every month for about 5 years we deposited £50 into each account, plus birthday money etc., so I reckon combined there is about £11k.
” We separated last year, sorted all the finances out, I kept the house and gave him money for a deposit on a house which he bought last summer. Everything all ok (we have a very good co-parenting relationship). However, my parents brought up the fact they had given the kids a lot of money and would prefer that it was transferred to the new accounts I had opened up for them and that I looked after that money.
“Discussed it with the ex, who was a bit defensive to begin with saying it sounded like I didn’t trust him to look after it but then agreed he would send it to me. It never arrived.”
The mum claims she spent six months asking for him to remain true to his word, and he started becoming more and more defensive.
Eventually, he revealed he’d withdrawn £8,000 to use towards his house deposit.
“I’m so angry with him. It isn’t his money! He says he’ll make sure they get it back…. in about 20 years! I’ve told him that the money needs to be replenished with interest by the time they turn 17 (so 8 and 11 yrs time), as I have always envisaged that they could use that money to buy themselves a car, help if they go to uni, etc.
“I think I’m being quite reasonable considering what he’s done. AIBU in asking this?”
Dozens of people took to the comments to share their thoughts, with many sharing the mum’s outrage on her children’s behalf.
One said: “Um I’d be telling him he needs to replenish that money right now and he has effectively stolen from his children. He can get a loan to replace the money and then pay that back monthly instead. What an absolute arsehole, £8k is a lot of money! I’d be threatening going to a small claims court to be honest.”
Another wrote: “I doubt you’ll ever see that money again. I think you’re being unreasonable to yourself. I’d be demanding that money back now. What a vile man stealing from his own children!”
A third replied: “That’s not okay at all. I’d be raging.”
What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comments below.
