How do I get access to my own money?

The easiest way would be to open another account in the same bank and simply transfer funds but that will only work if you are a signatory on the existing account; if you are not, you don’t have access to that account.

Another option would be to open another account and then go to your employer and change where the paycheck is deposited to the new account.

Either way you will need to have an ID first and are going to catch grief with your father.

How much heat can you stand?

I won’t make enough in my new account when I make it, and I don’t care what he thinks
There’s nothing legally I can do that isn’t expensive?

You are a legal adult. Technically you can take him to court but I doubt that you want to go that far. How do have a job with no ID? He can’t stop you from getting one. I guess it all depends on how much it means to you and how much autonomy you really want.

Getting a new account is your only option. Try a credit union. Most don’t have a minimum account balance that you must maintain.

Sounds like the account is in your father’s name not yours. Your father is the only way you can get the money.

The name on the account make a difference. So it is not your money.

I don’t have a state ID. I’m not sure, I don’t recall it being an issue.

@Tropical_Willie Technically. But I’ve worked for it for the past year.

Getting an ID for the first time has to be tricky. Doesn’t she have to show a birth certificate?

When do you graduate?

Wait….he’s “letting her” get an ID so that’s half the battle.
Does his controlling of you at this age strike you as normal Queenie?

I definitely think you should open a new account in your name and begin depositing your paychecks in there. I’m not sure if you have a legal leg to stand on to get access to your existing money, if the account is in his name and he continues to refuse access.

IF the account is in HIS name, there is NOTHING that you can do about it.
IF the account is in YOUR name, he cannot stop you from access to it.
IF the account is a joint account in BOTH names, he’s probably set it up to where he has to sign any transactions so he’ll know what you’re doing.
In order to get a state ID, you will need your birth certificate & social security card to prove that you’re a US citizen.
You can talk to the bank & ask them what you need to do to get the account switched into YOUR name now that you’ve reached the age of majority (over 18).

You can open a bank account in YOUR name so you can change your pay direct deposit to that account. Depending on your bank, you might need to add $100 or more in order to get the account open & then give the account info to your employer to divert your paycheck. That part shouldn’t be hard. Since he won’t give you access to that money, I’m sure that he has it set up so you cannot just transfer it to another account. Go to your bank’s website & look at what is required to open a new account. That should tell you now much of a cash deposit is required to open an account. One bank where I live requires a minimum of $1,000 where most the others only require $100. A few of my local banks will allow students to open with just $50 but you have to prove you’re a student. Looking at the bank’s website should enlighten you as to their requirements.

You could also sue him to release your money. Are you sure the money is still in the account??? Many lawyers will give you a 1 hour consultation for free to see IF they can help you. At that point, they will give you your options & then tell you how much they wil charge to take the case. I know you’re looking for free; but, talking with a lawyer for free should give you a pretty good idea of what rights you have & then you’re under NO obligation to hire him!!!

Sounds to me like he’s locked you in pretty good because he doesn’t think you’re responsible enough to use it wisely!!! You might also want to consider opening your own account & taking a weekly withdrawal of his liking & then deposit it to your new account. Of course, once he realizes that you’re moving your pay into your own account, he’s going to freak out & NOT give you the payout he discussed.

The one thing I can tell you is that the current account is NOT in just your name because as a minor you weren’t allowed to open an account in just your name because as a minor you aren’t legal to sign a contract with the bank. What I don’t know is what kind of account he set up for his child. Talking to the bank should fill you in on that part. Be sure to ask them what is required to get access to the account now that you’ve reached the age of majority (over 18). Don’t go freaking out at the bank or they’re NOT going to help you. At this point, HE is their customer & he’s been a very good customer for years & they will tend to take his side. IF you act as a responsible adult, they will probably be more willing to assist you in getting your money!!!

I am going to check the requirements.
@Dutchess_lll No, it doesn’t strike me as normal. I want the money but he refuses over & over. It’s starting to piss me off to the point where, yeah, I don’t mind taking him to court at all.

This is what it says:
Getting started:
You must be of at least 16 years of age(2), and you must be a U.S. citizen and/or U.S. resident alien to open an account online. The following items are required:

A valid form of identification including: Driver’s License (Preferred), State ID, Military ID or U.S.-Issued Passport
U.S. Social Security Number
U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien Status
Current checking or savings account information to fund your new account (Preferred Method)

How do I see how much I need to fund it? Do I call?

Okay I called its 100$

I’ve also posted a question to a “Ask a lawyer” site thats free

I’m confused. Why is not having access to your money stopping you from applying to college? Why does your father say he is witholding it?

You need to send ACT scores and stuff which costs $$ I don’t have.
Supposedly I’m not responsible.

Does your Dad want you to go to college? If so, he either needs to pay for it or give you access to your money.

Is it possible for you to get your paychecks paid to you directly by check?

Yes she can, and will do that, I’m sure, @janbb, but she’s trying to get to the money she’s been depositing in that account for the last year and a half.

@Dutchess_lll I understand that.

@SergeantQueen….wait what kind of institution is having you open an accouny online? I’d be very waryof that.
Go to a bank amd talk to a person.

His rules. Obey them.
You wait until you graduate.

If you need money to apply to college, explain this to your father and have him write a check for the specific expenses.

@Dutchess_lll I am not opening online. I was looking because It’s pretty much the same from online to real life.

@LostInParadise He doesn’t want me going to a 4 year and doesn’t want to pay

You need to have a talk with your dad. There is no point in acting behind his back and risking a breach in your relationship. You are old enough to speak to him as an equal.

Tell him that, although you love and respect him, the two of you differ with regard to going to college. You can point out that your job prospects are considerably better with a four year degree, and that you are old enough to open an account in your own name, and will do so in order to apply for college and pay for expenses Tell him that he is morally obligated to allow you to take money from the current account.

You know, believing that there is no need to provide more than a 6th grade education to females is soooo 19th century.

What happened with this?

I definitely think get a new bank account ASAP only in your name.

I’m pretty sure there are laws protecting you since you earned the money. I think there have been cases of child actors having rights to their money.

If you don’t have ID yet to open a bank account, you can ask your job to switch you to a live check, work on getting the ID you need, and then deposit the checks when you get your account. You can also cash the checks at the bank your company uses, but they might charge a fee, which I don’t recommend you pay, but they might not charge a fee, you have to ask.

Do you work for a small company? Can you ask for cash for pay for a few pay cycles? Or, do you have a friend or relative who can cash the check for you if you get a live check? It used to be I could sign a check over to someone else, I assume we can still do that? They could check with their bank.

If you need a birth certificate for state ID then usually you can find the form for a birth certificate online, but there will be a small fee. Make sure it’s a .gov website.

This is money you earned and he really has no right to keep you from it. I would certainly change the direct deposit and open another account to receive it. Parents can have good intentions but do stupid things. This might be an example of that. Good luck. You are almost grown up. Life is much better as an adult.