re: Long story. My parents and “check washing”.

Texas law should be similar. That statute is from the Uniform Commercial Code on negotiable instruments. Most states have adopted the UCC rules on negotiable instruments.

The rule basically, as I read it, says that where a completed check is altered without authority of the check writer, then the check writer is only liable for what the check originally was made out for. So, if it’s a $25.00 check that is stolen and altered to say $2,500, then the check writer would be on the hook for the $25 but could seek to recoup the remaining $2,475 from the bank that cashed it.

Edit: just a sad a shitty situation for your parents. There’s a special place in hell for people that take advantage of the elderly.