Cheques in married name

adonis10

We are getting married next week and have been asked what name we would like cheques to be made out to as gifts. We do not have a joint account and don’t see the need for one so if they are made out to Mr and Mrs xxx, presumably they would only be able to go into the account of the person with the surname on the cheque? Can’t find much info on the bank websites.

Zanderman

I wouldn't try and pay a cheque to two people into an account that's only for one. And I'd be surprised if a bank would let you. It is clearly a contradiction of the cheque-writer's instruction technically-speaking.

Re not seeing a need for a joint account - isn't this exactly that? A need for one.

No need to rush to open it before the wedding though, the cheques will keep.

DCFC79

Why not open an account, get the cheques paid in and withdraw the funds then close it.

adonis10

DCFC79 wrote: »

Why not open an account, get the cheques paid in and withdraw the funds then close it.

That’s what I think we will do if there is no other way around it.

SPOWER

Who has a cheque book?

Some old pensioner with Girobank?

Focus on your wedding, not gifts.

Carrot007

DCFC79 wrote: »

Why not open an account, get the cheques paid in and withdraw the funds then close it.

Would it not save time and a lot of bother to ask for cheque's in one persons name? (or cash, or bank transfer, or mushrooms).

lindsaygalaxy

We have recently got married and received some cheques in both our names. You cannot pay them in to an individual account. We changed my name on an account I didn't use much and added my husband on (after the wedding so I could also take in the marriage certificate). We now have our own accounts and a joint one.

adonis10

SPOWER wrote: »

Who has a cheque book?

Some old pensioner with Girobank?

Focus on your wedding, not gifts.

Most people with a bank account have cheque books, I imagine. Often safer than cash, you know.

I am focusing on the wedding. If you’d read the OP, we have been ASKED by family members who to make a cheque to, therefore they are clearly intending to give a financial gift in the form of a cheque.

adonis10

Carrot007 wrote: »

Would it not save time and a lot of bother to ask for cheque's in one persons name? (or cash, or bank transfer, or mushrooms).

Yes but we can only control those who have asked. Others may give a cheque but will just address to it one or both of us.

[Deleted User]

Ask them to leave the payable to name as blank so you can fill it in yourself?

Or just get a joint account?

If you’re married you should be sharing commitments anyway

adonis10

!!! wrote: »

Ask them to leave the payable to name as blank so you can fill it in yourself?

Or just get a joint account?

If you’re married you should be sharing commitments anyway

Good idea but if it did get stolen it is then effectively the same as cash.

Joint account be the way forward it seems.

We are sharing commitments and have a number of accounts between us, seems overkill to have yet another account but if needs must. Also, I don’t get the whole must have a joint account (for reasons other than paying in cheques!) - lived together for 3 years already so
Not like we are going to change the way we share bills, which is 50:50 anyway