<prompt> Human: A bit of background: Mother opened a card tied to a joint account I have with her from way back in high school credit card was started while I was in college for emergencies. She even gave me the Dont use it unless its an emergency speech. I was an idiot and didnt actively monitor the damn thing. Turns out SHE was using it as a regular credit card and had maxed it out. This iswas affecting my credit, so I spoke to her about it. I went in today and using my own money paid off the card and requested it be killed. Im now waiting for confirmation that its gone. My mother has said she will pay me back, but I can not count on that.My emergency fund is completely gone now.I did my research before I paid this, by the way. I called the bank, credit agencies, and even looked through previous posts here. See this and this for similar situations1. I WAS legally responsible for this debt, even though I never bought a damn thing with it.2. There is a cash reserve associated with the joint account. Ive asked her to shut down the joint account and move it to an account entirely in her name, but that wont be until all outstanding charges to the checking account go through so at least a week or so.3. She gets in addition to her paycheck child support payments, which will be ending soon. Im really scared if she overdraws the account because shes still acting as if she has child-support money, Ill get stuck again: unable to remove myself from the situation because its got a balance on the CASH RESERVE even though I took care of the credit card situation. What is my next step re: getting her to pay me back? How do I protect myself and cut myself from the joint account safely and as soon as possible?UPDATE POSTAssistant: You are allowed to close a bank account without permission of the other account owner. Do it as soon as possible. Whoever closes the account gets whatever funds are remaining. They are under no legal obligation to split the funds with the person. It is your choice whether or not you want to explain this to your mother before you close the account. If the reserve money is yours, I would just close the account and take whatever you paid for the credit card and send her the rest. Human: Everything in there is her money AND her debts. I just dont want to be responsible for her debts or if she overdraws her account, which she has done before, and was using this card to cover.She refuses to close the account, and would no doubt cut me entirely out of her life if I do it, because it would mean so much work for her moving over automatic payments and such.  <response>: For the sake of having a healthy relationship with your mother you need to close this account ASAP. What is going to damage your relationship more: You inconveniencing her by making her open a new account, or her continuing to make you responsible for her poor financial decisions? 