<prompt> Human: I am closing on my first home in 64 days and my estranged biological father has sent me a rather large check first world problem; he did miss raising me, paying for braces, college, etc- so theres that. I cannot deposit this check into my account because it will prevent me from closing on the house unless I get gift paperwork filled out by him which likely isnt an option. I have considered signing the check over to my mother and she can give me the money back after closing, but would biodad be able to see that I signed the money to my mother? I cannot go to the bank that issued the check but I could cash the check at the bank where I have my account, but would biodad be able to see that I cashed the check rather than deposited it? I have already confirmed with my lender that depositing the check WOULD be a solid hiccup in the closing process. S.O.S. Assistant: Youre making this harder than it needs to be... Go to the bank where the check is written from and either ask for cash or ask for a cashier check issue to you and be done with it. Wait to deposit it after closing, this will at least clear his account. This should not affect anything with your future mortgage. Human: I agree that I am making it harder than it needs to be, however I am unable to go to the bank where the check was written. I havent looked where the closest one is but according to the google, more than a couple hundred miles away. Now If I could do this dance at MY bank with certainty that it would not flag anything on the lenders side of things, Id do it over lunch in 15 min. Assistant: Do not deposit it into your account or use your account to cash it. You risk the chance the check might not clear. The only cleanest way to do this is going to the bank where it was written, or wait till you close on your house then deal with it then. I would call the bank and make sure he has the funds present prior to going to his bank. Human: Im confident he has the funds to clear it as he sits in his multi million dollar home on a hill in the forest. However I cannot get to his bank as the closest one to me is 304.8 miles away. If the check wouldnt cash at my bank, Ill just have to hold onto it and hope for the best.  <response>: Youre going to risk losing 10,000 instead of driving 300 miles. Thats a terrible plan. 