safe deposit box question (NY)

[Chaoster]

I have a question for anyone who works for a bank in New York. If one has a joint account for a safe deposit box with spouse. And one passes away can't the surviving spouse have access to the box?

 

[Poohbug]

Well, I don't live in NY but if the box in jointly owned, the survivor inherits the box. Unless it was specifically set up that both owners must be there whenever the box is opened, I don't know why the surviving spouse could not open and take possession of anything in the box.

 

[pezheadmeg]

It's not immediate access, the box does get blocked until the will is probated. When I was first put on to my parents box the bank manager turned to me and said "If anything happens--come here get the paperwork you need and tell me after the box is back in the wall."

Anytime I go to mine there are boxes blocked off because the estate is in probate.

 

[Janepod]

It's not immediate access, the box does get blocked until the will is probated. When I was first put on to my parents box the bank manager turned to me and said "If anything happens--come here get the paperwork you need and tell me after the box is back in the wall."

Anytime I go to mine there are boxes blocked off because the estate is in probate.

Yes. I had to deal with this in NY - my grandfather died and my mother (who had also died) was the co-signer on his box. HUGE pain in the neck, as my dad had not yet probated my mother's estate. Banks take it *very* seriously.