CANCELLED ACCOUNT

[JOHNNY1]

I LIVE IN NEW MEXICO...MY THEN GIRLFRIEND RECENTLY WRECKED MY CAR...THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT TO ME AND I WROTE A CHECK ON OUR JOINT ACCOUNT TO THE BODY SHOP FOR THE REPAIRS...MY GIRLFRIEND AND ME BROKE UP AND SHE TOOK CANCELLED THE ACCOUNT AND TOOK OFF WITH THE MONEY...THERE IS RECORDS AT THE BANK THAT SHE DID THIS. WHAT KIND OF TROUBLE CAN I GET INTO?..AM I AT RISK....HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF? AM I IN RISK OF CRIMINAL TROUBLE?..PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[JETX]

Since you are not clear in what you want, I offer the following:

1) As to your girlfriend: since it was a joint account, she had all legal rights to withdraw the funds and there is no fault of the bank in letting her withdraw. However, you might have a cause of action against her if you can show that the funds were not hers and she knowingly took the funds, but this action would be risky at best.

2) As for the car repair and the bounced check:
You are liable for making sure the body shop is paid. They have absolutely nothing to do with the closed account or 'missing' funds, and have every right to expect payment. Some of their actions could be filing a mechanics lien against the car, taking civil action against you for payment or even filing criminal actions for an NSF check. In any case, you need to pay them for the services that they provided.

Oh, and get your caps-lock key fixed!