When a loved one passes away, someone rushes to the bank with the key to their safe deposit box, hoping to grab important papers—or maybe something a bit shinier. It feels like a quick, responsible move.
But just because someone has the key doesn’t mean they have the legal right to open that box. In fact, unauthorized access to a safe deposit box after death can lead to serious legal trouble, including criminal charges. What looks like a simple errand can turn into a major probate violation faster than you can say “executor.”
