My wife did some services for a friend and received a personal post dated check for
March 1,2009.

In the past banks that the checks are drawn on, will not tell you if the funds are
Available on March 1,2009. Nor will they cash the check unless you have an account
At their bank. My own bank just tell you to deposit it.
But if it bounces ,my account would suffer NSF charges.

Is there any new method you know of, to know if the funds are in the account.

Don't accept post dated checks.

You can take the check to the bank where it's drawn on, and cash it. The teller will check to verify an adequate account balance before giving you the cash.

Is there any new method you know of, to know if the funds are in the account.

It is impossible for a bank to tell you what funds will be in an account at some time in future. They don't know what deposits or withdrawals will be made. Even if the funds are there the day before you deposit the check, another check could be processed first and your check would still bounce.

A post dated check is like an IOU. Some people use them for convenience. But you should not accept one unless you trust the person writing it.

There is no such thing as a post dated check. That particular person just wanted to be "cute" with your wife in giving her the check dated March 1. If your wife wants to wait until March 1st until she cashes it, fine. If she wants to deposit it into your account prior to that date, then she will be running the risk of getting the NSF charge back in her account as the person who gave her the check probably does not have the funds in their account until March 1st. If she wants to wait until March 1 and go to the bank where the check was drawn on, they must cash the check for her if she produces her proper picture ID. It's not a payroll check, but a personal check. Don't know why the bank gave her the tap dance about having to have an account with that bank. I think your wife might have told you a little white lie about that must have an account business.

You are suppose to be able to cash them at the bank where it is drawn on. Not having an account there should not matter. I have done this many times, I have had to ask for a manager a few times but in the end, I either got it stamped NSF or the cash.