Who is entitled to the contents of a safe deposit box?

In Oregon, the contents of a safe deposit box are generally considered to be part of a person’s probate estate. A probate estate is the remaining property of a deceased person that has not been distributed to other parties. After a person dies, their estate goes through a legal process called probate, during which a court oversees the transfer of the deceased’s assets to the appropriate people or organizations. When it comes to safe deposit boxes, the court will first look to any instructions left by the deceased. Often, these instructions specify who should be entitled to the box contents. If no instructions are provided, the court will turn to the deceased’s will. If the will does not address the contents of the box, the court will follow Oregon’s probate laws to determine who should receive the box’s contents. Usually, the court will first direct the contents to the deceased’s spouse, children, or other close relatives. However, if the deceased does not have any surviving family, the box’s contents will generally become part of the deceased’s estate and be distributed accordingly. Overall, the contents of a safe deposit box are considered part of a person’s probate estate in Oregon. Depending on the situation, the deceased’s surviving family members may be entitled to the box’s contents, or the contents may become part of the estate. The probate court will follow Oregon’s laws and the deceased’s instructions to determine who should receive the box’s contents.

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