Life Skills: How to Write a Check for Someone Else or for Cash, Endorse a Check, and Void a Check

It occurred to me that there are many people who grow up without learning essential life skills.  Many parents are not willing to share personal information (i.e. finances) with their children, but the problem is that they also miss the opportunity to teach them much needed skills like how to fill out a check.  Then there are some people who were orphaned or who come to this country who are not going to know this information either.

It may seem simple enough, and yet it is surprising how simple things can confound a person.  Sometimes we are too embarrassed to ask for help, or sometimes it is difficult to ask for help with things that have sensitive information--like writing checks.

I don't actually use checks very often, since most of my dealings are through paypal or debit card.  However, there are times when you do need them.

One thing I neglected to mention (though I don't know if the rules still apply in these times, or the practice is standard at all banks) is how many signatures are needed if you share a bank account with someone else.  If the account says John Doe or Jane Doe, then only one signature is necessary.  However, if it says John Doe and Jane Doe, then some banks require both signatures on the check...or at least they used to.