Well both David and I have had experience of losing our loved ones and did not have any problems at all with the bank as it was OU on the account and in fact, when I report the death to the bank, they immediately put me down for a new bank card in my own name but same account.
That’s worrying Karen. Was the joint account designated Monsieur OU Madame?
Our joint accounts used to be “Moniseur ET Madame”. But I got them changed a few years ago (much to my conseiller’s disgust and incomprehension), in the hope that that would avoid any trouble in the future.
Yes. From the beginning I had to point this out. It was precisely why it was set up “ou” not “et”. They niggled and niggled and in the end effectively forced a closure. I was quite happy to leave it as it was - I mean, people don’t pop back do they? 
True, but only Fran’s savings account LEP, was in her name alone but we were assured when the account was created that it was in one name only, with both allowed access but we were deceived. Happily our joint account was always in ‘et’.
A LEP can only be individual. But did you sign the forms to have a procuration over it?
Nope. we were assured that the single name was in name only and a subterfuge to ensure two lots of government backed tax free interest. I don’t object particularly though I am a tad annoyed that La Banque Postale does not train their reps better, at least the funeral expenses were not attributed to me but the expensive headstone was, which was a particular cause for annoyance by one of Fran’s children. Apparently I should pay for my own headstone, well just what they say about me anyway.
Can’t wait. 
You mean “ou”, David?
Just clarifying in case someone reads this and gets confused.
“Monsieur OU Madame” should mean the surviving spouse continues to have access to the joint account when a person dies.
“Monsieur ET Madame” will in theory result in access to the account being blocked until the estate is settled.
That is correct. ET means both signees. OU means or
I’m guessing here, but if neither of the people concerned spoke French or understood it well enough, they may well have been given advice about accessing services. Perhaps the dr did give them a solution and they didn’t understand what it was.
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Frankly, I think we are all guessing a bit… 
“they told her…” who told her???
In my experience one goes via various desks before the Main Event.
Having successfully passed through 2 “receptions” and now in the 3rd and final “waiting room”… I saw one man turned away (fallen at this final hurdle) by the dragon guarding the Main Event. He didn’t have an essential document and, no matter how much he waffled, she was adamant and he left. Those of us sitting waiting , we slunk deeper into our chairs and breathed a sigh of relief that we’d got this far… 
Thanks for that important clarification. Just checked and got it right (for a change). In a similar vein, the carte grise for your car should be in the name of both spouses for similar reasons.
Yes, thank you @Helenochka and Mik, what a terrible mistake to make, no excuse other than age
Mind you we never thought about it for the cars too so, although Fran no longer drove, if I had gone first she would have had some problems until it was sorted.
My new hospital is streamlined. One scans the convocation and then goes directly to one waiting room. No people involved.
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AIB or BoI?
Does that mean you have to have a smartphone and, if you don’t, what is the solution? Might be a problem for me as I am discovering in another thread that mine might be too old.
Yes I got caught out on that and had to go to the prefecture and obtain a new copy in my name only as OH bought the car new and as he was paying for it, Citroën only put his name on the family car. Think I had to pay about €140 for a new one in my name back in 2012
On the topic of medical misunderstandings. Twenty years ago my MIL passed away peacefully from stomach cancer, surrounded by her family. The junior doctor on duty (German I think) put down a “catastrophic” stomach incident as cause of death. This meant there had to be a totally unnecessary autopsy, as if she’d been stabbed My poor FIL was very distressed over it.
There really was no excuse for the doctor. It happened in one of the two best private hospitals in the Country and he was under no pressure, not like ED situations where one could understand errors, to a degree. His English just wasn’t up to scratch.
I suppose the moral of the tale is that medical issue comprehension is a two way street. Make sure you understand the doctor and make sure the doctor understands you.
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We’re buying our car on lease hire. The two names on the carte gris are the finance company and OH.
This was in the UK where on average you have a 7/8 week wait for cremation in many areas so foul ups by the doctor certifying the death at the scene and then the registrar not doing the work satisfactorily only added to the stress and grieving. Here I found it very punctual and matter of fact and the gendarmes attended the mortuary quickly to witness the coffin being sealed with wax seals on the lid as we only had five days to hold the funeral.
fallen at this final hurdle
We’ve all been there. During COVID, I had to cycle back home, a mere 20km away, because I’d forgotten a bit of vital paperwork. I returned at 11.57 to be told, " closed until 2pm". Still my calves got some exercise.
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