# What happens to safety deposit boxes years or decades after someone has died and it remains unclaimed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 24, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724 "2024-11-24T17:46:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/1 "2024-11-24T17:46:22Z")
I just read about WC Fields having a ton of safety deposit boxes, some apparently under false names. A friend of his, in the late 1940’s, speculated much of his fortune/valuables might still be spread around in these boxes. What do banks do after years and years ago? Are there “time out” policies that allow the bank to go in them? > **[Pseudonyms - Futility Closet](https://www.futilitycloset.com/2024/11/24/pseudonyms/)** > > Fictitious correspondents invented by T.S. Eliot in kick-starting a letters page in The Egoist in 1917: The Rev. Charles James Grimble Muriel A. Schwarz Charles Augustus Conybeare Helen B. Trundlett J.A.D. Spence Apparently this wasn’t unusual for... ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/2 "2024-11-24T17:52:49Z")
I’m pretty sure that if you stop paying for the box, the bank can open them and sell the contents after some time period. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/3 "2024-11-24T18:01:48Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I’m pretty sure that if you stop paying for the box, the bank can open them and sell the contents after some time period. My safety box is free since I am a veteran. I really need to sort out that whole issue before I shuffle off this mortal coil. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/4 "2024-11-24T18:02:52Z")
do you have to have an account at the bank where this box is? I’m not familiar with veterans getting no charges for boxes. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/5 "2024-11-24T18:03:32Z")
As is often the case in the U.S., the answer is likely to vary by state. In Illinois, for example: > [@](#): > > Yes, each year the Treasurer’s Office receives the contents of safe deposit boxes that have been inactive for five years. If the owners or their heirs do not come forward to claim the contents after 5 years, we may sell the items and hold the proceeds for the rightful owner. [https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/app/faq-general](https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/app/faq-general) ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/6 "2024-11-24T18:05:36Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > do you have to have an account at the bank where this box is? I’m not familiar with veterans getting no charges for boxes… I was offered this a number of years ago at a local branch and yes I have an account. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/7 "2024-11-24T18:11:45Z")
There was a case here a few decades ago where a bank branch was closing. They notified all the box renters by certified mail to come and get their stuff. After a certain period, there were several that were not claimed. They brought in a locksmith to drill open each one, and they recorded the contents, with a police officer as a witness. One of the boxes they opened was full of $1,000 bills. The renter had an address at the provincial Legislature. Several prosecutions later … ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/8 "2024-11-24T18:12:14Z")
Was having an account at the bank a requirement? If so, I suspect the same thing applies if the account becomes dormant. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/9 "2024-11-24T18:14:08Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Was having an account at the bank a requirement? If so, I suspect the same thing applies if the account becomes dormant. OK that makes sense. I have an attorney and 2 cousins to look after things when I die. I need to make sure I mention the safe deposit box. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/10 "2024-11-24T18:17:25Z")
It’s a good idea to have a list of all bank accounts, credit cards, safe deposits, and all regular bill payments with your will. Not as part of the will, but for your executor, to help them resolve the estate. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/11 "2024-11-24T18:21:42Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > It’s a good idea to have a list of all bank accounts, credit cards, safe deposits, and all regular bill payments with your will. Not as part of the will, but for your executor, to help them resolve the estate… I started that and my attorney has a rough idea but I am in the process of compiling an accurate listing for my 2 cousins as well. Getting Covid and traveling to Ireland put a stop to the process. I’ll get on it after Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/12 "2024-11-24T18:50:34Z")
I suspect this is an offer from this particular bank, not some kind of national, legally mandated benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/13 "2024-11-24T19:00:11Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > I suspect this is an offer from this particular bank, not some kind of national, legally mandated benefit. Exactly. They approached me with the offer. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/14 "2024-11-24T19:11:59Z")
When my mother died, her Social Security number became invalid. The bank made me close her account, and get a new tax ID number to open a new account for her estate. Once the bank knows you are dead, they will nag your executor to take care of it. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/15 "2024-11-24T19:16:21Z")
I will also note that, at least here in Illinois, if a box is determined to be “abandoned,” and its contents turned over by the bank to the state treasurer’s office, while the treasurer’s office can auction off the contents after a certain time, they are required, by law, to keep the proceeds of the auction in trust for any heirs or other legitimate claimants. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/16 "2024-11-24T19:32:38Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I will also note that, at least here in Illinois, if a box is determined to be “abandoned,” and its contents turned over by the bank to the state treasurer’s office, while the treasurer’s office can auction off the contents after a certain time, they are required, by law, to keep the proceeds of the auction in trust for any heirs or other legitimate claimants. There is nothing in it except legal documents at this point. I need to go in and clean it out. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/17 "2024-11-24T19:36:14Z")
If those legal documents will be needed after you die, the safe deposit box may not be accessible for a while. That might not be the best place for them. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/18 "2024-11-24T19:38:24Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If those legal documents will be needed after you die, the safe deposit box may not be accessible for a while. That might not be the best place for them. My attorney and my cousins have copies of the most recent iterations which currently sits on my dining room table. Most of the things in the box are from my long dead family. And my certified marriage/divorce decree. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/19 "2024-11-24T20:42:37Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > OK that makes sense. I have an attorney and 2 cousins to look after things when I die. I need to make sure I mention the safe deposit box. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If those legal documents will be needed after you die, the safe deposit box may not be accessible for a while. That might not be the best place for them. One thing- if you have a Joint acct and the box is in both names, it is smart to have the surviving spouse check the box first- before notifying the bank the other spouse has passed. Get the will out, etc- the box is not a good place for the only copy of a will. By law the box for deceased must be opened in the presence of a tax official and a bank officer. That can- as Dewey\_Finn mentioned- take a while before it is arranged. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724/20 "2024-11-24T21:01:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > OK that makes sense. I have an attorney and 2 cousins to look after things when I die. I need to make sure I mention the safe deposit box. > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > If those legal documents will be needed after you die, the safe deposit box may not be accessible for a while. That might not be the best place for them. > > One thing- if you have a Joint acct and the box is in both names, it is smart to have the surviving spouse check the box first- before notifying the bank the other spouse has passed. Get the will out, etc- the box is not a good place for the only copy of a will. > > By law the box for deceased must be opened in the presence of a tax official and a bank officer. That can - as Dewey\_Finn mentioned- take a while before it is arranged. No joint accounts - just me. I’ll probably clean out the old documents from the bank and close it down. I don’t want my cousins to be overwhelmed by too much to sort out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-safety-deposit-boxes-years-or-decades-after-someone-has-died-and-it-remains-unclaimed/1010724.md?page=2)