Can I cash escrow checks in my late husbands name?

You can only do so after a judge either signs an Affidavit of Small Estate or declares you an heir and appoints you administrator of the estate.  In either case, the funds should first go into a bank account for the estate.  Talk with a local probate lawyer to determine which of these approaches is best for you.  If the amount is small, you may prefer to let the funds go to unclaimed property and after four to six years (It varies by state), prove to the state comptroller that you are the heir and the only heir.