How to Find Safety Deposit Box Information of a Deceased Relative
In the will for a deceased relative (decedent) you were named the beneficiary of items, such as jewelry or family heirlooms, which are in the decedent's safe deposit box (sometimes referred to as a safety deposit box). The contents of the safe deposit box may be readily available through the executor of the will or other family member. If not, you will need to locate the box and review its contents by contacting the person who has authorization to access it. If you can't locate the box, it might also be found through the unclaimed property office for your state.
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Instructions
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Ask the executor of the will. Often, the executor of the deceased relative's will may either have access to the contents in the safe deposit box, or have knowledge as to who does. Sometimes an executor may not have known the deceased well at his death, and therefore may not have much information about a safe deposit box. If so, request authorization to examine the decedent's financial records and personal papers to look for for any reference to the location of a safe deposit box.
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Ask the bank. If you know the bank where the deceased relative maintained an account, ask one of the bank officials if the person kept a safe deposit box there, and if so, whose names are on the signature card for that box or who else was designated as a deputy or agent with access to the box. If you're unsure which bank the decedent used, and if you have authorization to review the person's personal papers, look through checkbooks, bank statements and other personal documents for bank account numbers and branches.
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Ask the deceased relative's attorney. Sometimes the decedent's attorney might have knowledge of the location of a safe deposit box, or might even be one of people whose signatures are on file with the bank for access to the box. The attorney will also know, based on that state's laws, if co-renters, family members or the executor can access the will and other documents (such as life insurance policies and burial instructions) from a decedent's safe deposit box.
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Contact the state's unclaimed property office. States must report inactive bank accounts, including inactive safe deposit boxes. State laws vary on defining periods of inactivity, which are typically from one to three years. Check if the decedent's safe deposit box has been deemed inactive by filling out a form with the state unclaimed property office. You can pick up this form by going in person to the office, or filling it out online through their website. To find contact information and websites for unclaimed property offices, go to Unclaimed.org, click on your state or region in the map or select it from the "Select a State" menu and follow the instructions.
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