How long legally can you hold a personal check before cashing it?

I had a check that was lost for one year... found it in my trunk... cashed it..moved on... HOWEVER..I did contact the person I got the check so to not give them any scare in their bank statement.

No law... checks get lost all the time... that is life

I work as a teller in a bank and if the check does not say something like "VOID AFTER 190 DAYS" then after 6 months the check is considered stale dated and there might be a hold on the check before you can collect the funds.

I believe a check becomes "stale dated" after 180 days.

You should be able to deposit it, but to be safe, I'd take it to the bank it is drawn on and cash it there, if at all possible.

That way you know immediately if there are funds available, if there has been a stopped payment placed on the check, or if the account has been closed.

Look, i know your in panic mode, but just some time to think things through, i am not going to give you personal advise on your relationship, that's a closed chapter. Its not easy man, first thing is immediate finances, Credit card, car lease, phone bills, telephone bills next is the big one, property 1. your rent lease. you can speak to your landlord and work out how to best deal with it. 2. You have a home? have you any inked bank deals with your fiance on this property 3. Any joint loans you are involved in? Well technically, you don't have to leave, if you still have controlling interest on the rent/ lease until it expires. if she's being a b**ch, go legal.

most banks don't honor them after 90 days, some longer, you can just deposit it and see what happens

between 6 months to a year

Most major banks are a 60 day limit. Mine is :(

Some up to a year, but it usually says it on the check

Typically 6 months. Your best bet is to have the issuer re-issue.

I think it would depend on your particular banks policies.