Whether your will should be in a safe deposit box at a bank or elsewhere, such as with your attorney, depends on what your state law says about who has access to your safe deposit box when you die. The recent trend in many states is to make it relatively easy for family members or the executor to remove the will and certain other documents (such as life insurance policies and burial instructions) from a deceased person's safe deposit box. In those states, it might be a good idea to leave your will in the safe deposit box. However, in some states, it may require a court order to remove the will, which can take time and money.
Iowa Petition For Order to Open Safe Deposit Box of Decedent
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Multi-State
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US-01444BG
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Word;
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FAQ
Dual control: Two people?usually a bank employee and the renter?are required to open the box. In this way, no one person can ever open the box and remove the contents. Authorized signature: When the safe deposit account is opened, all persons authorized to access the box sign a signature card.
What makes a safe deposit box unique is that it often requires two people to get it open simultaneously, the renter and a bank attendant. Usually the renter holds his key called the renter key and the bank attendant holds a key called the guard key.
The safe deposit box is a storage space you rent from the bank. Its contents are kept private, and the bank doesn't know what you put in there.
A bank shall permit a person named in and authorized by a court order to open, examine, and remove the contents of a safe deposit box located at the bank.
Banks will typically issue two keys to owners of a safe deposit box. The keys should be kept in a safe place to avoid loss. If one key is lost, the bank will not replace the key. If both keys are lost, to obtain access to the safe deposit box, the bank must drill the box with the cost billed to the box owner.
Most states set a dormancy period beginning on the date of the last rent payment, plus additional time for the holder to send a drill notification and await payment. If customers don't respond to the drill notification, the holder may proceed with drilling.
When you lose the key to your safety deposit box, you'll need to contact your bank as soon as possible. They will likely need to drill into the lock so you can access your goods. Some banks can also give you a replacement key you can use if you don't need to access your box right away.
If you are trying to find out if a deceased relative had a safety deposit box, your best bet is to search through their financial and legal documents for any clues or references to one. You can also contact the person's bank and ask if they had a safety deposit box.
