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 5 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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