I have heard yet another sad story where one spouse has emptied a joint bank account leaving their partner no money.

The law says that both owners of a joint bank account own all the money in the account separately.  This means that whoever takes all the money from a joint bank account first is legally entitled to it.  If the taker gambles the money or spends the money, it is gone and there is nothing that their partner can do.

A joint bank account is convenient for paying joint expenses, but sometimes large sums end up in joint bank accounts; e.g. after the sale of a house, a legal payout, a lotto win, etc.

Then it becomes a problem if one of the joint bank account holders decides they need the money for themselves.

The solution is simple, have the banks require both account holders approve all payments from the account.  This is a simple and easy thing for the banks to do.  This is a simple and easy thing for both account holders.  It costs nothing, but gives both parties great protection.

If you have a joint bank account with someone else, immediately demand that the bank change it to "dual signatures" (digital or otherwise).
Do this before you find it empty.
Do this while you still trust your partner.
Don't leave this until trust has been broken.
Don't be a victim.  Don't let a friend be a victim!

It is usually women who are the victim of joint bank account emptying ... but it happens to men frequently as well.