Support Check

[howdidithappen]

I received a support check from my ex - I don't want to deposit it in a bank account - just wondering if I used it to pay a credit card (and used the credit card to pay bills) how easy would that be to trace? Chase has a judgment agianst me - obviously I'd pay another credit card. Does it make any sense?

[genseeker]

Cash the check and then pay the CC bill by money order. It's unlikely anyone can get access to your CC records.

[howdidithappen]

It's a fairly large check - who will cash it?

[HHM]

1. Why not deposit in the bank account? Are you at risk for garnishment?

2. Why use it to pay credit cards?

[howdidithappen]

Chase already raided the bank account a month ago. The credit card I was thinking of making a pament to is one not from Chase. I'm afraid to put it in the bank even for a short period of time. You can use the credit card to pay bills online (utilities, phone, etc) as well as purchase groceries. Of course, there's also a concern that the credit card company may lower my limit resulting in the money just paying them.... The check is for a few thousand dollars - who would check it for me without charging a large fee? Any suggestions? I'm in the middle of claiming exemptions for the recent judgment.

[Carlysmom]

I know this is a week old, but if you haven't cashed it yet... Can you just get the cash at the bank the check is drawn from?

[treehugger1]

I hate to say this, but you might consider a "check-cashing" place. I know, i know, the costs can be high, but you can then turn around and for another $10 - $30 buy a western Union prepaid mastercard.

The best option is to look and see if the check is on a bank that does business or has a branch locally. They should cash it.

Another option is to ask your current bank if there is any freeze or levy against your current account. Ask them if they will cash the check without running it through your account first. Many banks take a check and "deposit" it into your account while immediately giving you "cash back." The problem here is that should the check get "deposited," it becomes part of your account and the teller may not be able to give you the cash back.

I'm not trying to sound like some deadbeat trying to beat the system, but you do need to tread cautiously to feed yourself, family, pay for transportation, energy, and other necessities.

I'm no expert, but you need to think clearly about using your current bank account when a levy/garnishment has been placed against it. Some levies/garnishments are one-time shots, but others can go indefinitely. Others can weigh in here.

The other issue that HAS ALREADY BEEN RAISED byH, is why, if you are in financial trouble would you need to pay a credit card?Buy yourself a prepaid debit card if you need one to make essential payments or use money orders.

[chpxiii]

Another option is to ask your current bank if there is any freeze or levy against your current account. Ask them if they will cash the check without running it through your account first. Many banks take a check and "deposit" it into your account while immediately giving you "cash back." The problem here is that should the check get "deposited," it becomes part of your account and the teller may not be able to give you the cash back.

I was thinking about this as a possible solution as well. The only problem is what you stated, the teller may not give cash back. IME, if you don't already have the funds in your checking account to cover how much you want to take out from a check you are depositing, the teller does not allow you to take out any money.

So essentially, you're not really withdrawing any money from the check you're cashing, you're really withdrawing money from what you currently have in your checking account, and THEN depositing the check.

When we deposit a check and on the deposit slip where the line says, "Less cash" it may seem like we're taking money directly from the check we are cashing. But that's not the case. Only if you have the funds currently in your checking account to cover the "Less cash" part will you be able to take cash "out." I know it's deceiving and makes it appear that you're getting cash from the check you're depositing, but that's not what's happening. So if the OP does not currently have the cash in her checking account to cover the cost of cashing the whole check, she may not be able to get any money from the check until it is posted to her account - which is the next business day.

Best bet for the OP would be to find a local branch from where the check is drawn and cash the check there. Next best is a check cashing places. Around here in Dallas I've seen the charge be 1% of the value of the check but it may be different in other parts of the country.

[CindyLou]

simply cash it at the bank he wrote it on. You will need 2 forms of ID and possibly a small fee. The will ask if you have an account and when you say no they will ask for your fingerprint also.

could you ask your ex in the future to give you money orders (he could subtract the fee from your check) That would be much easier to handle for you.