Section 5.5 Safe Deposit Box

• Library: Estate Administration 2014 Supp

B. (§5.5) Safe Deposit Box

If a safe deposit box exists, one of the most pressing matters occurring early in the administration is the retrieval of its contents. As quickly as possible after the depositor’s death, an appointment to enter the box should be made with the depository in which the box is located. All keys to the box should be located before the appointment. If a key to the box cannot be located, the depository will arrange for the box to be drilled at the time arranged for entry.

When the deceased is the sole renter of the box, § 362.488, RSMo 2000, authorizes a bank or trust company doing safe deposit business, or a safe deposit company owned by a bank or trust company, to open the...