Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Arkansas

This is a tough one

Call the bank and ask them.

Opening the Lock Box

The Executor must open the box and make an inventory of its contents immediately. There is no need whatsoever to wait to do this.

The executor certainly ought NOT wait 6 months; sibling is way wrong.

At least that'd be how it is in Massachusetts!

In Mass., I'd say, sibling should get papers from the court appointing him/her temporary or permanent executor (after showing the court a copy of the will) and get a document (called "letters" or "letters testamentary") to bring to the bank. Bank will open the box -- best if you are there at the same time. Contents will become part of the probate inventory and/or the federal estate tax "gross estate" inventory. (POD assets are usually NOT part of the probate estate -- not on the inventory you give to the court -- but ARE in the gross federal estate, on the form 706 tax return you may be required to file by the 9 month anniversary of your mother's death.) However, I've gone into too much detail and you should consult your own lawyer who will be more accurate and can be held responsible for any information given you -- I can't and won't and disavow any knowledge of this reply!

(Seriously, I'm not your attorney and I really honestly don't know the law of AR so I can easily be mistaken and you must not rely upon my say-so for anything!)

Good luck.