How do you find out if a deceased person had a safety deposit box?
Asked by
YoBob (
12846
)
April 30th, 2012
My grandmother recently passed away and my sister and I are in the process of sorting thru her assets. I believe I remember her mentioning a safety deposit box in a small town in which she used to live. However, I am unsure of how to find out if if she still had it at the time of her death.
Although I haven’t tried, I suspect that if I just call up the bank out of the blue they would not be inclined to give out such information to a total stranger on a cold call (at least I would hope not).
Also, I believe her mentioning having some mineral rights to some property but have not found any papers to that effect.
Is there some sort of procedure (other than the unclaimed money database) to find out about a deceased persons little used bank accounts, safety deposit boxes, all but forgotten real property holdings, insurance policies, etc…?
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11 Answers
There certainly is a process for this within the bank and other organizations.
It the responsibility of the administration of the estate. Ensure you have an official copy of the death certificate.
First, look through all of your grandmother’s papers . Also look for any safety deposit box keys (usually small and numbered).
Next, who is the executor of your grandmother’s estate? That is the person who should approach the bank. First, start with the bank that your grandmother used for checking.
The mineral rights are probably on papers in the safety deposit box. Otherwise, your grandmother’s attorney might have those records.
If you have a specific bank in mind for the location of the safe deposit box, the executor of the estate would be in charge of going through the contents. The timeframe of getting into the safe deposit box would be governed by state laws regarding probate.
The mineral rights would be documented on property deeds that can be searched at the county courthouse. If you don’t know to abstract deeds, someone at the courthouse will help you.
Certified copy of her Death Certificate sent to her bank will open the box for you.
Did this with my mother.
Pls remember that if she left no will, that her assets will have to go through Probate Court with a family member assigned to be her Executor and post a bond.
^Along with the papers certifying the person as the administrator of the estate.
As a corrollary, I just had my sister listed as a co-renter of my box. Her signature is on file and she knows where I keep the key. So she can open my box at will. This was done on the advice of a bank officer.
I don’t know about other states, but California has an Unclaimed Property website. When money is held for people for a long time unclaimed (I’m not sure how long) the holder is required to send the property to the state and it is held there until it’s claimed. I’m sure most states have similar websites. I am not sure if your grandmas safety deposit box would be included, but I think everyone should search themselves on the state websites where they have lived and see if they have a forgotten utility deposit or savings account out there.
My last words, which everyone important already knows, will be, “Everything is in the red folder in the desk drawer.” My desk has only one drawer.
Woot! Just followed my own advice and found $117!
Thanks everyone for the great answers (and congrats to Judi!)!
I was told by a Wells Fargo manager in L.A. that I would have to wait 45 days from my sons death to attempt to locate and have access to his safety deposit box assuming I can find it, also I need an affidavit notarized along with his death certificate, any other suggestions I am at a loss regarding this issue? Thanks
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