The statement must be served on joint lessees within seven days. Everyone who is present when the box is opened must sign a statement certifying what was removed from the box. The personal representative must open the box in the presence of an officer or employee of the institution owning the box. If another person jointly leased the box with the decedent, specific procedures must be followed. The same result applies if any two (or more) individuals jointly lease a safe deposit box.Ī personal representative appointed by the court also has access to the decedent’s safe deposit box and may remove items from the box. The law specifically provides that “ a surviving joint lessee of a joint safe deposit box has full access to the safe deposit box.” So, if two spouses jointly rent a safe deposit box, the surviving spouse will have full access to the box. Different laws govern decedents who died prior to that date. The current provisions apply to persons who died after October 1, 1993. Michigan Law on Opening a Safe Deposit Box After DeathĪ specific Michigan statute, MCL 700.2517, controls access to a safe deposit box after the death of the lessee.

It’s also important to understand those laws if you use a safe deposit box to store your valuables and important records, like the originals of your estate planning documents. The law establishes specific requirements and procedures that apply if you need to access a loved one’s safe deposit box after they pass away.

Representation of Personal RepresentativesĪ Michigan statute governs access to a deceased individual’s safe deposit box.

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