Do my parents still have access to my bank account when I turn 18?

Asked by: Cleo Schuster  |  Last update: February 12, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (10 votes)

At 18 years old, it's time to consider severing your joint account and putting yourself in charge of the money. Why? No matter how old you are, your parent will have full access to your funds if they are a joint owner of your account. Only you can access the funds once you remove your parent from the bank account.

Can my parents control my bank account at 18?

No. Once you are 18, unless you mother is named on the account, either as Joint Account holder or as Trustee of your affairs, either by the nature that the account was opened or Court Order, then she has no rights to that information at all.

What happens to my child's bank account when they turn 18?

These accounts are controlled by a custodian, usually the parent. Depending on state law, when the child attains age 18 1 or 21 2, he or she assumes control of the account.

Does my bank account change when I turn 18?

What happens to your bank account when you turn 18? The week of your 18th birthday we'll change the account to an adult Select account. All account details will remain the same, including balances.

Do my parents have access to my bank account?

As the owner/co-owner of your account, your Parent can see what you do with your account including how and when you use it. This means they can see and get alerts when you buy something or use the ATM. They are also able to control how much money you spend or where you spend it.

Mom Still Has Access To My Bank Accounts, Doesn't Like My Plan.

39 related questions found

Can an 18 year old open a bank account without a parent?

At What Age Can You Open A Bank Account On Your Own? Generally, a child must be at least 18 years of age to open a bank account on their own, with some variability by state. However, there are several options that allow children and teens to access the banking experience before 18 with an adult cosigner or custodian.

How do I stop my parents from accessing my bank account?

The CFPB says that under most state laws or bank rules, you usually cannot remove the joint account holder without the other person's consent. One advantage to having a joint account at the same bank as your parent is the ease with which they can transfer money from their account to yours.

What happens when your child turns 18?

Turning 18 is a big milestone. In most U.S. states, your child is now legally an adult. They can join the military, get married and vote. They can also make their own medical and financial decisions without needing parental approval.

How much should an 18 year old have in their bank account?

As a guide, by 18, a teen should aim to have a few thousand dollars in savings. Ideally, around $10,000. But again, the exact amount will vary. Some teenagers will have graduated high school by 18.

Can I deposit my 18 year olds check into my account?

Endorsing a check for a minor involves printing the minor's name, indicating their status as a minor, and providing the endorser's relationship to the minor. Banks typically allow parents to deposit checks made out to minors into their own accounts, especially if the child does not have a bank account.

Do my parents have any legal rights after I turn 18?

Specifically, your rights as a parent diminish when your child turns 18, including the right to know anything about their finances, medical condition, or even school records. That means, for example, that if your child were injured, you wouldn't have the right to make medical decisions on their behalf.

How do I remove my parents from my bank account after 18?

You usually can't remove a parent from a joint bank account without their consent. However, you can withdraw the money from your account and open a new one in your name once you turn 18 years old.

What happens to a custodial account when the child turns 18?

Upon the beneficiary's reaching the age of majority, the custodian has a duty to turn the account over to the beneficiary, at which time the beneficiary will become the account owner with complete authority over the account.

Can your parents legally take your money if you're under 18?

YES!, If You are Your Parent's dependent minor, meaning You are their child under the age of legal majority, for whom Your Parents pay over 50% of Your total financial support. In this case, the parent has every right to take a child's funds and to do with them whatever he/she desires.

Can a parent access a child's bank account?

However, there are many accounts held on behalf of children with one of their parents as trustee. Here, providing the trustee can prove they are using the monies for the benefit of the child, they can withdraw funds from the child's account.

How do I remove my parents from my bank account at Bank of America?

In order to add or remove an owner on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center. When adding an owner, all account owners will need to be present at the appointment and bring a valid government-issued photo ID.

What is the 50 30 20 rule?

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

How much money does the average 18 year old make?

Average Salary for Ages 16-19

According to BLS data, the median salary of 16- to 19-year-olds is $633 per week, which comes out to $32,916 per year. That's the median across all races, genders and education levels.

Is 20k a lot of money?

While a $20,000 salary averages out to more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour for full-time work, it is likely not an adequate income for anyone living independently and especially those with a family. In this piece, we'll cover: The current American median income.

Are parents legally responsible for 18-year-old?

When does parental responsibility end? Your responsibility towards your child legally ends when your child gets to the age of 18 years. It also ends if they get married or enter into a registered partnership before 18 years. The court may also have the upper hand in terminating your parental responsibility.

Can my parents take my stuff when I'm 18?

And No. 3, once you turn 18, they can't take your stuff anymore.

Do my parents have access to my medical records after 18?

After you reach 18, your parents cannot see your records — by law.

Does a will override a joint bank account?

A joint account generally passes outside of the will because it is considered to be a non-probate asset meaning it passes directly to the surviving owner rather than through the will.

How do I remove myself from my parent bank account?

Contact your bank to be sure of their policies for removing an account holder—while some banks allow this, others require the entire account to be closed. You may also need to supply the written permission of the other account holder to remove yourself.

How much should I put in my child's savings account?

You can benchmark your progress in saving for a child's college education by multiplying the child's age by $3,000 for an in-state 4-year public college, $5,000 for an out-of-state 4-year public college and $7,000 for a 4-year private college.