We received a check made out to me and my wife in this fashion:
John Smith
Angela Smith
11 Main St
New York, NY 10003
Can I cash this check with out my wife's endorsement?
Yes, when there is no conjunction between multiple payees, the check issuer's intent is said to be ambiguous. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, such ambiguity defaults to a choice of payees, so any one of the multiple payees may endorse and negotiate the check.
Your bank might take a different, more conservative view. Don't endorse the check until you have determined that the bank will accept your endorsement alone.
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Yes, when there is no conjunction between multiple 