Access of husbands money

[loleco]

My husband and I have separate bank accounts. I am a housewife and have no income and all of his income goes into his account. He gives me money to buy groceries and things. My question is this. If something should happen to him, will I have any access to his account in order to pay the bills. My name is on the morgage and other bills so I know I will be liable to pay them.

 

[usmcfamily]

Without your name appearing on the account as a "suvivorship" (someone else with rights to the account in the event of the death of primary holder) it is likely that the estate (including accounts) would first go through escrow -- for this reason all of my family members have used each other as "survivorships" on their accounts so that if something happened a living relative would have full access to the funds there to take care of expenses and the loved ones family.
I suggest you arrange a meeting with an attorney/financial planner to go over all the legalities with you AND your husband - there are ways to set up things so that the only time it would go into effect would be if he were to pass on so if he is SO unwilling to allow you full access to the family funds that may make him more amicable to these arrangements.
You are right to be concerned - you would be facing severe financial difficulty the way things are right now.....
Have you questioned why he wants to keep you out of the coffers? I would have serious issues with being kept on such a short financial leash and would tend to think perhaps it is time for things to change or for you to find a way to get an income of your own and keep it locked away for a rainy day in YOUR own account