SO: Name changing, banks, and checks written to your married name...

I know you didn't ask for opinions but you really should utilize a financial institution - check out local credit unions rather than a big name bank.

Emmy, thank you.

I'm definitely looking into different options, and have heard that credit unions are MUCH better than the BofAs and Wells Fargos out there.

When I was a teller and someone just got married... they would sign their maiden name (and name still on the account) on the back of the check along with their married name so it is clear why the last name is different. In the meantime, you put in a request to have it changed (which requires a copy of your marriage license). I am fairly certain most banks would do it this way since it happens a lot.

I second looking into a credit union versus a big bank. I think it's all credit unions, but at least mine doesn't charge me any random fees. I just need to keep $5 in my savings and checking to keep it open.

Hi, Yasmina!

He was able to deposit them into our joint account without me coming, which makes me think it doesn't matter. When I did show up I explained that we had just got married, so they asked me to endorse the cheques that had me with his last name. All I had to do was write in the back that VC (my last name) was the same as VC (his last name).

Also, I hear that if the cheque has your married name and you haven't legally changed it, you can't cash it, only deposit it - so it might be a good idea to open that account. We are in a local credit union, so maybe that also helped like Emmy said.

I third the recommendation to use a credit union. Even if you are not eligible to join one near you, the good thing about banks is that your money is insured by the FDIC. I believe PNC has a free checking account without conditions like a minimum balance or direct deposit.

It really doesn't matter. One of DH's grammys friends actually wrote a check to us using DH's mother's maiden name, which obviously is not either of our names. And the bank still deposited it with no questions lol

Look into the smaller community banks in your area as well. I used to work for one and they operate a lot different than the big guys. For example your branch manager will learn your name and remember it.

You don't have issues with the prepaid debits?? My husband used to use those and when I sat him down a few years ago and we went through his accounts, we realized he was charged a TON of hidden fees and he had no idea. His NetOne card was about $300/year and it was through his employer. Also all his bills were taking on $3/month to pay, whereas we can now send a check through online banking with no fee whatsoever.

I use Wells Fargo and if you set up Bill Pay they do not charge you any fees. I have not had one banking fee for the past 6 years that I have had them. I had one overdraft but a 3 minute phone call and they reversed it. I am not eligible for credit unions.

Also when I put checks written out to just my now husband years before we were married, they went right into my account. I just needed my ID to confirm who I owned the account, in case an issue with fraud ever came up.

I agree with credit unions. Depending on the ones in your area, they should be easy to qualify for. For the one I use I just have to live or work in the county. I've been a member since the day I was born.

So far, no issues with our prepaid.

We pay $1 per transaction, and $2 to load cash onto it, but that's all.

Its actually been really great so far, plus we get free money orders from the place I got the card from (Check City).

I really want to clean up my financial life anyway, and a savings account should help a little.

I have some medical bills to pay down, and then we can start thinking about actually buying a house, but I figured this is the best way to start rebuilding my credit...its time to adult!

I had a problem when cashing checks into my account, his name is not on it. I had my marriage license and a his signature but they would not deposit the Mr & Mrs checks into the account with out a copy of his license or him there. It was a pain the ass! Needless to say I will now give cash or write "or" instead of "&" in the future. I also recommend a credit union over a big name bank. Other than this hiccup I have been very please over 30+ years with them.

To be safe with all these little legal things I carried around a copy of my license with old name and obviously the license with my new. Then I would just explain I got married and showed them. You could even go as far as carrying a copy of your marriage license, it doesn't have to be a certified copy, I did that for international travel before I got my passport updated.

Since the divorce I carry old married license and maiden name license as well as a copy of my divorce papers that states the name change, I've actually been asked for it a lot.

I can't wait to take my FH's name and leave all this crap behind! I hate having my passport in my old married name :/ But it's just been too expensive to justify changing.

We didn't have any problem depositing checks made to Mr. and Mrs. as recently as the day after our wedding, we're both on the account but I was the only one who signed.

I have a credit union i HIGHLY suggest. Pentagon Federal Credit Union. They have the lowest car loan rates and lowest mortgage rates out of anyone I have ever seen. When we purchased our cars last year, we were approved for 1.49% APR. So for a $15,000 loan (one car) we're paying $230 a month. I have had nothing but excellent things to say about them. Plus they're not located in my state, so being able to save money in my savings account has been a lot easier than if it was easily accessible.

https://www.penfed.org/

I'm obviously biased, since I work at a credit union, but you should definitely look into them! My credit union is amazing! There are no hidden fees, everything is very straight forward. They even reverse some known fees just to be nice.

Credit unions are fantastic. We also had no trouble depositing checks made out to both of us or to my married name, they were very understanding.

I don't like big banks either, my first account was at Wells Fargo and I got screwed with some fees that I wasn't expecting. Ever since then, I'll only use my credit union.

Also, $1 per transaction and $2 to load the card sounds like a lot! That probably all adds up and is a lot of wasted money! I've paid 0 dollars in fees the last 3 years I've had my bank account.

$2 to load money is $104/year if you're paid weekly. and if you use the card just 5x a month, you're looking at another $60/year. $164/year is more money then I'd be comfortable giving a prepaid card, and I'm sure it's quite a bit more if you actually sat down and looked into it. Like I said, that's why I sat down with my husband years before we were married because he looked at it the same way. Amscott also has unlimited free money orders with no account. My Wells Fargo offers free money orders with an account, but I know that not all branches do the same.

I'm not saying Wells Fargo is the way to go for everyone. It's just what I've used for the last 6 years, and have had no issues. I recommend sitting down with a banker and asking flat out, what are ALL the fees I may encounter with this savings/checking account. They'll be extremely open with you. Most people don't ask that flat out and that's why they get screwed.

I've been banking at the same credit union since I was 8 years old. At some point, I would think you'd have to have your money in some kind of financial institution. There will be things come up in life where paying cash may not be easy, or practical (buying a house or a new car, for example).

I would check out a credit union like others have said. Often they are smaller and less fees and better interest rates.

As far as joint account, FH and I have the say Credit Union and started a joint account when we got engaged to save for the wedding. That is in my maiden name. Any checks we get in my maiden name can be cashed there [the name on the check has to equal name on account] after we cash those, I will complete the name change form through my bank [send along copy of wedding certificate] and then will be able to cash any checks in my name or both our names with new last name. Biggest thing is that the name on the check has to equal name on account. If it's to Mr and Mrs Smith, then it has to be John Smith and Jane Smith. Not John Smith and Jane Anderson.