cheques made out to 'executors of...'

[Twiggy]

We have probate and just sold the house. Wife and I are both executors.

We're getting refund cheques for bills such as electricity etc made out to 'executors of....'

We did not create an executor account, but are handling the finances with a separate account in our name at Halifax bank.

How do we cash or deposit such cheques - I've been told banks won't accept executor cheques unless there's an actual executor account, but also been told that utility companies are loathe to reissue the cheque in the executors name ?

[michael]

Re: cheques made out to 'executors of...'

The obvious answer is to create an exexcutor a/c at Halifax.

[Twiggy]

Re: cheques made out to 'executors of...'

The obvious answer is to create an exexcutor a/c at Halifax.

Seems a lot of effort for a couple hundred pounds !

[ostell]

Re: cheques made out to 'executors of...'

Have you asked the bank directly and taken in some proof that you are the executors?

[Twiggy]

Re: cheques made out to 'executors of...'

Have you asked the bank directly and taken in some proof that you are the executors?

We'll obviously need to give that a try and hope that the person who told us otherwise is wrong.. Halifax do seem to have different answers to the same question, depending on who you ask. Their phone customer service seems to consist of interminable menus ending up with a 20 minute wait..

When we opened a joint savings account to hold the money from the house sale (unfortunately in our names, not as 'executors of...'), they gave us the third degree - more of a grilling than when we opened our bank account.

We'll let you know what they say to us..

[Guest]

Re: cheques made out to 'executors of...'

The obvious answer is to create an exexcutor a/c at Halifax.

]

Seems very simple!

[Twiggy]

Re: cheques made out to 'executors of...'

]

Seems very simple!

Well we went into Halifax this morning. They weren't helpful.
The only way, they say, is to make an appointment to see the manager in order to open an executor account, into which we can deposit the cheque, which we'll immediately transfer to our own account and then probably close the executor account !

Crazy..

Luckily the issuers of the current cheque will re-issue in our names (thank you Wessex Water) and Lloyds bank insurance will issue a refund by giro credit to our normal account.
Hope there's no more.

[Peridot]

Re: cheques made out to 'executors of...'

Hi Twiggy,
Generally I'd always go back to the cheque issuer and ask them to amend the payee name. As long as you as executors are keeping accurate records then the payments and receipts will be clearly evidenced when the estate accounts are produced.
Glad the utilities were helpful.