My elderly dad gave me the key to his safe deposit box and told me that he had put me on the bank's access list. When he dies, will the bank allow me to open the box?
It's not likely. Banks follow prescribed access procedures when an individual box renter dies. Generally, any authorization left by the decedent becomes void on the renter's death (Iowa law creates a limited exception). The usual procedure is to allow access only by a court-appointed executor or administrator of the decedent's estate. If such an individual has not been appointed, the bank may permit the box to be opened, but only for the purpose of looking for a Will.
Determine which bank holds the box, whether the bank has received instructions from your father that you are to have access, and exactly what the bank's policy is. Don't wait to make this inquiry, because if your father and you need to take other steps to ensure your access after he is gone, now is the time to address them.
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It's not likely. Banks follow prescribed access procedures when an individual box renter dies. Generally, any authorization left by the decedent becomes void on the renter's death (Iowa law creates a limited exception). The usual procedure is to allow access only by a court-appointed executor or administrator of the decedent's 