my mom is in denial I think.

[Elijah3291]

I was talking to her about how I don't want my grandma to get used to sending ME checks.. because I will change my name soon and I don't want to have the checks be wasted, because she will be writing them to the wrong person.

my mom says "well thats a while away"

Not really.  You know how annoying it is to have my legal name in my school system? I can;t stand it, its such a hassle.  I plan to change my name once I get the money. And once I figure out how exactly to do it.

by the way.. is there anyway I can work out the check thing? because I am living off my grandma, thats the money I use for therapy.. if i tell her i'm changing my name there is a 90% chance she wont give me checks anymore... but if I change my name.. then the checks wont work.. right?

[Flan]

they will work until your name in the bank account is changed, then it's a matter of "cosigning" the checks. (different name, same bank, but anti fraud triggers might kick in)

[Flameboy]

I don't know how the banking system works in the US (I presume that's where you are - if not apologies but what I'm saying still stands, just change the country to your own!), but over here you can have more than one account with different banks. If that's the case there also, why not open a new account once you change your name, and leave the other one sitting there in your previous name so that you can pay cheques into it. You can then transfer the money into the account with your correct name so you can pay out using a card or cheque with your correct name on it. In the UK this is quite legal, as long as you're not doing it for fraudulent purposes - which you wouldn't be!

[Nicky]

Yeah, you can call a bank account anything, you don't need to use your legal name even. (well, you don't in my country..)

[tekla]

You do have to provide ID and a SSN# to open most bank accounts in the US.

[Chamillion]

I had to deposit a few checks to my old name after I'd changed my name with the bank.  I just brought in my ID and my name change certificate so they knew it was the same person.

[Radar]

Usually when you change your name any aliases transfer with you. For checks you might have to show proof of your new name and your old name. Phone your bank and ask them about it. You don't have to go into detail with them- just tell them you're changing your name and are concerned about checks in your past name.

I've been married for 10 years and still get tons of stuff in my maiden name, so you'll probably be getting things in your old name for awhile.

[Ender]

I had to deposit a few checks to my old name after I'd changed my name with the bank.  I just brought in my ID and my name change certificate so they knew it was the same person.

I had the same thing happen to me.  I just needed to show them the name change papers, and they deposited the check.

[Greg]

I had a cheque in my old name and my bank account was in my new name. Used a "paying-in" slip (I don't know if you have these in the U.S) with my new details and money went into my account no problem. Banks seem to be pretty easy going if you have the right documentation, in my experience anyway.