Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

A question regarding my father's safety deposit box and his estate

My father died in Pennsylvania and he left a very clear will.He also left a safety deposit box to which i have the only key.My brother is executor and his attorney wants me to give him the right to open the box.I am the only one with that right at this time.Do i own everything that's in that box? Also if something is in there in my name don't they have to give it to me? He left his property to my brother but a copy of the deed may be in that box.What are some of my rights in this case? Thank you.


Asked on 4/17/01, 6:06 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Hugh Wood Wood & Meredith

Re: A question regarding my father's safety deposit box and his estate

Any answer we give is subject to the TERMS on our website. You wrote: "My father died in Pennsylvania and he left a very clear will.He also left a safety deposit box to which i have the only key.My brother is executor and his attorney wants me to give him the right to open the box.I am the only one with that right at this time.Do i own everything that's in that box?" [No. You own what was left to you and what is yours. Any specific bequest found in the box you hold in trust for that beneficiary.]"Also if something is in there in my name don't they have to give it to me?" [Yes, absent other facts] "He left his property to my brother but a copy of the deed may be in that box." [So. The property would still be your brothers. If you refuse to give up the paper deed, a Superior Court Judge can sign another one for him -- it would take a suit, though] End.

Hugh Wood

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Answered on 6/12/01, 4:16 pm


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