Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

SAfety deposit box

Does a wife have the right to open up her husbands safety deposit box with an affidavit of surviving spouse certificate without her name being on the box and also without a will ? (The year was 2004 ) Thank you !!!


Asked on 6/20/09, 8:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Richard Vallario Richard W. Vallario Law Office

Re: SAfety deposit box

If your husband died without a Will, you would be entitled to be appointed Administratrix of his Estate, which will give you authority to open the box. I have heard of occasions where a bank will allow a spouse access, but technically this is not permitted, and probably due to a bank employee not knowing the rules.

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Answered on 6/22/09, 2:41 pm


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