SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX ACCESS

 

The general right to access to your safety deposit box is governed by the contract you signed
when you opened your box. The names and signatures of individuals that you permit access to
your box are on file with the bank. Until you add or delete from this list, only those individuals
will be granted access.

One exception is your attorney-in-fact acting through you durable power of attorney. Banks
usually will permit access by your attorney-in-fact if the power of attorney states something
like this: “I authorize my attorney-in-fact to enter into and have access to any safety deposit
box of mine.”  It would be a good idea, if you have an attorney-in-fact, to have that person
added to the list of authorized persons at the bank.

A court appointed guardian or a court appointed personal representative will ordinarily be granted access to your safety deposit box.

Following your death, your spouse, your parent, an adult descendant (child or grandchild), the person named as your trustee (if you have a trust), personal representative (executor or executrix) if you have a will, or attorney-in-fact should be granted access to your safety deposit box to remove your will and trust documents, cemetery deed and life insurance polices. This is authorized by 6 OS§§1303 and 1308.