Just because you may have a key to the safe deposit box does not authorize you to access the contents of the safe deposit box. Many are under the impression that if they just add their adult children to their safety deposit box that this eliminates the need for an inventory of probate after their death, but this is not true. After the death of an owner, a safe deposit box must be properly inventoried by the Executor or Personal Representative according to specific procedures that generally include the presence of the Clerk of Court, a Deputy Clerk, or other Qualified Person as defined by law. If the Decedent had a safe deposit box at a local bank, it is important that you do not remove any contents of the safe deposit box.
