What to do about lost checks?

[BlueMR2]

While I usually prefer to pay with credit card, on occasion I still have the need to use checks.  Over the last 10 years though, 5 of those checks have been lost without being cashed yet (2 I handed directly to people and 3 disappeared in the USPS mail).  Comes out to just over $1100 worth of checks floating around out there somewhere uncashed.  The bank claims checks are good forever, that I need to be prepared to cover them, and a stop order not only costs $20, but only lasts for a year!  Do I have to close my checking account and open a new one to avoid having to keep a spare $1000+ in checking just in case those old supposedly lost checks resurface and get cashed?

[cincystache]

If you open a new checking account with a new number then how long the checks last is kind of a moot point. Just make sure there aren't any legitimate checks out besides the 5 lost ones that haven't been cashed yet before you close your old account.

According to google most personal checks are only good for 180 days in most states. You could do some homework depending on where you live but if all of the lost checks are over 6 months old, you probably have nothing to worry about. If you are still worried then closing the account and getting a new one should be fairly easy, especially if you use an online bank.

Good luck