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

In Washington, the contents of a safe deposit box can be determined by probate law. When someone passes away, the box is sealed by the bank, typically with an inventory of the contents of the box. This inventory is then turned over to the probate court. The court will then typically take the inventory and then decide who is entitled to the contents of the safe deposit box. Generally, the box is opened by the court and inventoried again by the court after being supervised by two individuals. After being inventoried and identified, the court will make a determination as to who is entitled to the contents of the box. The court will typically look at who is the rightful beneficiary in the deceased’s will, or the deceased’s closest relatives. If the deceased was married, the surviving spouse is typically the rightful beneficiary. In cases where the deceased was not married, the court may look to the deceased’s parents and siblings to determine the rightful beneficiary. The court may also look to co-owners of the box. If there is more than one owner, the court may look to state laws to determine the percentage of ownership, and the benefits of each owner. In some cases, the court may also consider the circumstances of the deceased. For example, if the court finds that the deceased was a victim of fraud in taking ownership of the box, or if the deceased was coerced into opening the box, the court may consider those factors in deciding who is entitled to the contents of the box. Ultimately, the court will make a determination of who is entitled to the contents of the safe deposit box. This decision is usually based on the will of the deceased, state laws, and the circumstances surrounding the deceased’s use of the box.

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