How do I cash a check to my deceased mother which is made out to her estate?

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How do I cash a check to my deceased mother which is made out to her estate?

The check is for $400. I am a co-executor of her Will along with my brother. I still have a checking account that is in both mine and my mother’s names which is still active. I also have a $50 savings bond in her name. How do I cash that?

Asked on April 13, 2019 under Estate Planning, Wisconsin

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 4 years ago | Contributor

You have to set up and deposit it into a bank account for the estate. The money will then remain there until it is 1) used to pay any costs of the estate; 2) used to pay any valid debts of or claims against your mother; and/or 3) distributed, at the end of probate, to whomever inherits. You cannot simply cash a check made out out to "The estate of..."; it must go into an estate bank account, which, as co-executor, you have legal authority to set up.


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