check cashing question

[disykat]

And it actually has to do with Disney - LOL!

We took two trips to CentraCare on our recent trip, one for each of our teenage boys. We just got our refund checks from our insurance (we had paid upfront) and for some reason they sent them to the boys instead of us.

I kind of get the 18 year old since he had to fill out his own paperwork, but did they really think our 15 year old paid for his own medical care? I thought it was pretty weird. We did get the prescription refund in our name though.

Anyway, can the boys endorse their checks and write something like "deposit to ######" (our account number) or do they have to deposit them in their own accounts?

Thanks! I want to deposit the checks this weekend and I can't get a person on the phone until Monday.

 

[MariDisney]

And it actually has to do with Disney - LOL!

We took two trips to CentraCare on our recent trip, one for each of our teenage boys. We just got our refund checks from our insurance (we had paid upfront) and for some reason they sent them to the boys instead of us.

I kind of get the 18 year old since he had to fill out his own paperwork, but did they really think our 15 year old paid for his own medical care? I thought it was pretty weird. We did get the prescription refund in our name though.

Anyway, can the boys endorse their checks and write something like "deposit to ######" (our account number) or do they have to deposit them in their own accounts?

Thanks! I want to deposit the checks this weekend and I can't get a person on the phone until Monday.

Various family members have written checks to DD since she was an infant. Have your son sign it, you sign beneath it, then write your account number beneath that. When DD was a baby we'd just sign her name. Never had a problem and we've deposited dozens of checks this way.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Many banks don't like third party checks, but if you have a relationship with your bank and explain the minor check issue, you shouldn't have any issue with depositing them into your account.

 

[Rumpus]

I have never had a problem depositing a check that was endorsed by any of my kids except a state income tax return once. For one teller they had to be sitting in the seat next to me at the drive up window.

 

[Hannathy]

If they have accounts why not just deposit them in their accounts and then have them give you the money? Why make it complicated when it doesn't have to be?

 

[phred52]

Through the years, I've never once had a problem cashing or depositing a check made out to our underage dd's. This is at the bank where our accounts are .... The kid (or you) signs then you sign underneath that signature. Easy

 

[msjprincess]

I think it depends on the bank and the teller..

A few months ago DH went to deposit a check in my son's name. they both have the same first name but different middle initial. the teller gave him a hard and he had to see a manager.

A month or 2 later I had a check to deposit in my maiden name. I went prepared with my birth certificate, marriage certificate an amended passport. the teller deposited it without even giving it a second glance.

 

[disykat]

If they have accounts why not just deposit them in their accounts and then have them give you the money? Why make it complicated when it doesn't have to be?

Because I consider having them endorse them so I can deposit them at the drive through much easier than having to go to the bank when it is open!

I would have to have them deposit them, take out cash, and hand it to me so I can redeposit it in my account. Neither of my boys have checks and one can't make any transactions without going inside the bank because he doesn't have a card yet. We're talking two teens here and it'll be a while before we can find a day we can all make it to the bank together. We're also talking about hundreds of dollars I'd like to have in my account.

If these were little checks I wouldn't be making a big deal, but we're talking about a lot of money.

Thanks for all the answers. I'm guessing I'll try going into the bank next week. Maybe I can find an afternoon the boys can meet me after work. I'm not sure I want to risk the quick bank machine with such varied responses.

 

[tvguy]

I deposit all my checks now at the ATM, never go in the bank. I just don't endorse checks made out to my kids that I put in my bank account, never had an issue.
I know back when I used to get checks I had written back from my bank, and the person I gave it to didn't endorse it, the back of the check had this stamped on the back "Deposited without endorsement".

 

[laurie31]

I have never had a problem depositing my kids' checks in our account. We have many relatives who send checks for birthday and Christmas gifts. When they were babies, I signed their names, but now they sign, but I just put them in our account. Sometimes I cash them, if they want to spend the money right then, but we usually find it easier to deposit them and then buy them what they want (for that amount) at a later time.

If you did deposit the money directly into the children's accounts, why couldn't you just transfer it to yours? I do that all the time. It's very easy to do. I can't imagine having to physically withdraw the money and then redeposit it in your account, just transfer it. Voila! I presume you (or your DH) is a cosigner on their accounts?

 

[Hannathy]

If you did deposit the money directly into the children's accounts, why couldn't you just transfer it to yours? I do that all the time. It's very easy to do. I can't imagine having to physically withdraw the money and then redeposit it in your account, just transfer it. Voila! I presume you (or your DH) is a cosigner on their accounts?

I agree and why would you have to be with the 18 yr old? they can't just stop at the bank or the ATM and deposit it sometime on their own and then give you the money? If the 15 yr old signs it you can deposit and then transfer the money once it clears.


I know our credit union has gotten a lot pickier.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Use the following endorsement:

PAY TO THE ORDER OF
{Your name}
FOR DEPOSIT ONLY
{your account number}
{Signature of child}

And then deposit the check.

 

[disykat]

It never even occured to me I could transfer money from their accounts. Thanks for the idea. I was a co-signer when they set up the accounts but I've never been involved in their accounts otherwise.

This is why I asked, because I knew there must be an easier way then having to have them deposit them in their own accounts, go in the bank to get cash (it's too much money for my oldest to get from the machine - he'd have to go on two different days - and my youngest doesn't even have a card) give me cash, me deposit cash, etc.

Thanks to those who have been helpful! Cheshire Figments endorsement wordage is perfect! I can drop them in the machine that way.

 

[arminnie]

I've done this for decades and decades. The only problem ever was with checks from IRS - there are too many that get stolen so the fed. govt put a restriction that it could not be deposited into a 3rd party account without some special stuff. I had my dad's check and could deposit into a joint account we had, but not one with just me.

Never, ever had a problem with any other kind of check. When I had tenants once I had them just mail their check to my bank with a deposit slip rather than mailing it to me.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Use the following endorsement:

PAY TO THE ORDER OF
{Your name}
FOR DEPOSIT ONLY
{your account number}
{Signature of child}

And then deposit the check.

Do it this way - you may want to call you bank ahead of time and explain the situation but I'm sure this is what they will tell you to do.

 

[laurie31]

It never even occured to me I could transfer money from their accounts. Thanks for the idea. I was a co-signer when they set up the accounts but I've never been involved in their accounts otherwise.

This is why I asked, because I knew there must be an easier way then having to have them deposit them in their own accounts, go in the bank to get cash (it's too much money for my oldest to get from the machine - he'd have to go on two different days - and my youngest doesn't even have a card) give me cash, me deposit cash, etc.

Thanks to those who have been helpful! Cheshire Figments endorsement wordage is perfect! I can drop them in the machine that way.

Glad you have it sorted out. I find that the less banking I have to do in person, the better.