How do I cash a check addressed to me and a lien holder?

Question

My mother died four years ago and we were sent a check for damages to the car and sent on to Nissan. We received a letter in the mail today saying that they sent another check which was never cashed to the estate and Nissan. Is there anyway to cash that check without going through Nissan considering that the car is free and clear?

Answer 1

~~No, when a check is written with "and", then both parteis must endorse the check. If you have a cleared pink slip showing your mom as clear owner of the title, you could take it to the company issuing the check (or fax) and request they pay the check to just you or (mom) so you don't have to deal with Nissan.~~

Answer 2

No.  You will need to get Nissan to sign off on the check, which they should do if there is no lien against the car any longer.  Checks with dual payees are always required to be signed by both payee parties.

Answer 3

If the car is free and clear, call up the insurance company and talk to them and what they usually do is have you send the title to them and they will issue the check possibly made to you since your mom passed.  I work for a claims insurance company, i have done this plenty of times before.

Answer 4

Nope.  You could always send them (the insurance company) the title, showing that the lein has been released, and ask them to reissue directly to her estate.  

Or, you have to get Nissan to sign off on the check first.

Bigger problem, though, if the estate has been settled & closed out . . . unless you can get the executor to sign off on it and attach a copy of their authorization.

Answer 5

Contact the person who sent you the letter. Let them know the car is now paid off. You will probably have to send them a front and back copy of the title. Most likely they will want you to send them the check that was just re-issued back before they send you another one.

Answer 6

Show the insurance company the title that has Nissan removed and they will reissue the check.