Safety deposit box/Life Insurance???

Question

My mother passed away when I was younger and left a sum in the bank for me when I turn 18. She also left behind a safety deposit box with jewelery. My grandmother claims the bank won't allow us to take out the jewelery or observe it's contents because no one has paid for it for over 10 years... She claims that because the bank has not recieved payments in so long that they've emptied out our box. Is this even possible?

She says our lawyer at the time passed away and now we have a new lawyer. She says we have no proof whatsoever for the safety deposit box and the bank won't allow us to take anything out.

What's going on? Is there anything I can do about this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Nope, you're probably screwed without hiring an attorney.  If there is something that can be done, at the very least it will involve a proof of death and a copy of the will and probate order showing you as having any right to whatever it may be that is in the box.  They couldn't have taken the contents of the box without some kind of collection action.  10 years ago is a long time and I doubt the bank is required to keep information anywhere near that long, nor should the be, but that's another story.

Answer 2

consult at your civil advocate