Stupid question: How do I cash/deposit a check for me, but it's not made out TO me?

[Dr.Girlfriend]

My ex-husband gave me a check today for our daughter's child support. The check is to my ex-husband and he signed the back of it, then gave me the check. How do I deposit this? It has his name and his signature; I've never attempted to cash or deposit a check made out to someone else before.

He said that I should be able to sign my name directly under the check and the bank will accept it, but I'm not so sure...(and long story short, no, he didn't have a check to write out to me because that would be easier to deal with).
ETA: I thought about going to the actual bank that the check was drawn off of, but it's from a life insurance fund...so no real technical bank to go to (like BOA, Wachovia, etc).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is he still convenient? Have him print, under his name, "pay to the order of Dr.Girlfriend" only using your real name, of course - then you endorse it, then you should be able to cash, or at least deposit it.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

It should be his signature, "Pay to the order of your name," your signature. However, with a life insurance check, the bank will probably be putting a really long hold on the check if they accept it as all as a third party check.

 

[luvmy3]

I just recently deposited a thrid party insurance claim check, the original payee endorsed it and I signed my name under it. No problems at all.

 

[DawnCt1]

I just recently deposited a thrid party insurance claim check, the original payee endorsed it and I signed my name under it. No problems at all.

Yup, do it all of the time.

 

[Mimi1965]

I just recently deposited a thrid party insurance claim check, the original payee endorsed it and I signed my name under it. No problems at all.

That is what you do=BUT you have to have an account with the bank .

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Is he still convenient? Have him print, under his name, "pay to the order of Dr.Girlfriend" only using your real name, of course - then you endorse it, then you should be able to cash, or at least deposit it.

Unfortunately, no...he lives pretty far from here. I'm hoping that my signature and account number underneath will be sufficent, though I may call the bank tomorrow and see what they say

 

[dwdreamer]

I would suggest calling before you go. The bank I work for doesn't like to accept double endorsed checks because fraud is so rampant. We will take them, but the person signing the check over has to be present to prove they are in fact signing the check over to you by showing ID. The reason is that the person could call and say they didn't give you permission to cash the check or it was lost and the money would have to be refunded.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Hopefully your bank accepts third party checks. Mine wouldn't when it was Washington Mutual and I haven't bothered checking to see if Chase does or not.

Whenever I end up with a third party check I give it to my mom and have her cash it at her bank (US Bank).

 

[M5ward]

That is what you do=BUT you have to have an account with the bank .

Well, of course, you have to have an account to deposit the check into. The bank should take the check but will probably put a hold on it until it clears. We have employees who will take a third party check from regular customers, and we never have a problem with the deposit.

 

[sparklynails23]

Some banks that normally accept third party checks will not accept third party insurance checks unless the original payee is present. Call your bank, or just sign it and deposit it through the ATM. Sometimes they are less diligent about those deposits.

 

[Mimi1965]

Well, of course, you have to have an account to deposit the check into.

The bank should take the check but will probably put a hold on it until it clears. We have employees who will take a third party check from regular customers, and we never have a problem with the deposit.

The OP also asked about cashing the check-uinless you have an account with a bank-and MANY peopel don't-they will not deal with 2 signature checks.

 

[tvguy]

I'd just deposit it via an ATM and then keep checking my bank account online to see when the money becomes available before withdrawing any.

I've had to do that dozens of times, especially when I got "nominated " by other parents to buy the thank you gift for a team coach at the end of a sports season. I end up with money orders, blank checks, checks made out to me, checks made out to me with my name misspelled, even got a check made out to "Robert's dad". Bank took them all no problem, but I did use the ATM.

 

[LilyWDW]

I would suggest calling before you go. The bank I work for doesn't like to accept double endorsed checks because fraud is so rampant. We will take them, but the person signing the check over has to be present to prove they are in fact signing the check over to you by showing ID. The reason is that the person could call and say they didn't give you permission to cash the check or it was lost and the money would have to be refunded.

This is how it was at my old bank (not sure about my current bank) and to be honest, they only did it because they KNEW me. It was a small credit union at the on campus branch that was inside the bookstore. Not only did I use that bank, but I also worked AT the bookstore. They accepted the check as a favor, but it was not standard operating procedure.

 

[bookgirl]

my bank (boa) has taken a third party check from me but I didn't try to cash it. They had me deposit it and then they held the funds for like a week.

 

[Green Tea]

I've never had a problem just signing the back and cashing or depositing. If they won't cash it, deposit the check. You are your bank's customer. Where you got the money shouldn't really matter.

 

[MickeySP]

I do it every month with a city check to my 85yo Mom. She signs her name I sign mine and deposit it. Most banks only hold it an extra 2 days or so.

Is it a life insurance check or just drawn on a fund? Insurance may be a 10day hold, a fund probably just an extra day or so.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

I do it every month with a city check to my 85yo Mom. She signs her name I sign mine and deposit it. Most banks only hold it an extra 2 days or so.

Is it a life insurance check or just drawn on a fund? Insurance may be a 10day hold, a fund probably just an extra day or so.

It was drawn on the fund.

I deposited it through the ATM this morning, so I'll see in a few days what happens...thanks for the input!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Your bank is required to have a Funds Availability Policy. Check that.

 

[Makdyn]

The bank i work for we dont not accept third party checks unless both parties are present. If you deposit into the atm it will be adjusted the after processing and sent back to you with a letter.