Question about NSF fees

**lottaLove** · 12-20-2009, 03:08 PM

I get child support checks from DS's father every month. He mails me a personal check, which I cash on my next visit to the bank. Usually by depositing directly into the bank machine.

The question is, what would happen if he wrote a bad check and it bounced? Would I get slapped with NSF charges or some sort of fees, or would that go entirely to my ex?

I would like to hope that this won't happen, but when we were together, he was not exactly the best person at budgetting his money. All too often he would forget to pay certain bills or end up with insufficient funds in his account.

**AnW819** · 12-20-2009, 03:15 PM

Depending on the bank I believe you can get a fee for it...but its not a NSF fee.

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-20-2009, 03:59 PM

It depends on the bank but you can both get slapped with fees if it doesn't clear. You should call your bank on Monday and ask about it. Ask them to send you the brochure with all the bank fees printed in it. Most banks have one, but they don't always make them readily available to customers.

**McD** · 12-20-2009, 04:09 PM

You would be assessed a returned deposited item fee. The amount would depend on your bank--I have seen it anywher from 5$ to 10$.

If it is returned and it caused you to bounce checks or anythingm you would then be hit with an overdraft/nsf fee.

**Grainlady** · 12-20-2009, 04:15 PM

Yes, your account will get charged for an insufficient check if you deposit it. Ask him to send you certified checks or money orders ONLY to avoid the risk.

If in doubt about funds on checks I receive, I'll take the check to their bank and ask the teller to check the account to see if there is sufficient funds before cashing the check, rather than depositing it in my account. We had a running joke about my brother's family when we used to draw names at Christmas. If they gave you a check as a gift, be sure to handle it with a potholder because it was sure to be "HOT"! I always took their checks to their bank to cash it. Sometimes I had to try a couple different times, but it was worth it because I didn't need any additional charges.

**savvy_sniper** · 12-20-2009, 05:08 PM

If he writes you a check, you deposit it in your account and it bounces, then yes your bank will charge you a fee and if it causes any checks you wrote to be NSF you will be charged for them also, To be on the safe side, IF POSSIBLE, go to the bank that the check is drawn on and cash it there. IF it is no go, they won't cash it. If they cash it, you can then deposit the cash into your bank account with no risk.

**Mckeekitty** · 12-20-2009, 05:17 PM

I agree with Grainlady...insist on money orders. There should be no reason for you to have worry about this issue every month. Nor should you be inconvenienced with making sure there are sufficient funds in your ex's account. If there are not, than you need to repeat the process every few days until the funds are there. Very annoying.

**NikoSan999** · 12-20-2009, 05:36 PM

I was hit with fees one time. For the lack of funds by the writer of the check. So yes you can. Take it to the bank of the writer and cash it there. Or money order.

**Greebo** · 12-20-2009, 07:48 PM

And don't write ANY checks on the CS money until you know it has cleared.

**Palooka** · 12-20-2009, 10:48 PM

I was just curious if this has been through a court why they don't dock his check and you get it either directly depostied into your account or they use like a Visa debit card.

Is he just paying you like on good faith that you both agreed to?

**mombottoo** · 12-21-2009, 09:14 AM

If we deposit a check into our account and it is no good our bank charges us a $3.00 handling fee. If the check were to cause our account to bounce they would charge us $28 for each item that bounced.

**old_lady_in_the_shoe** · 12-21-2009, 09:57 AM

IMHO if you are banking at a bank that charges you for someone elses problems, then you need to find a different bank. My bank doesn't charge me for someones check being insufficent but some banks do. It is something that is beyond my control and I would switch banks before I let them charge me for that.

You other option would be to go to the bank that he banks at and cash it...as they will check the balance of the account before the cash it. If there is not enought $ in the account you can take the check back and try later or have the bank process it into collections (which should not cost you either but you will probally need an account at the same bank to do this).

**frugalfranny** · 12-21-2009, 05:32 PM

Yes, like the others have said for the fees.

But - just a word - some of the banks here have started charging a fee to cash a check drawn on their bank - IF YOU DON'T BANK THERE!! Check first........Chase (Wa Mu) is one.