HB 15-1064 Summary

• Allows successors or heirs of a decedent to access a safe deposit box before a personal representative is appointed, upon presenting an affidavit or claiming to be an heir at law or devisee.

• Custodians must drill open the safe deposit box at the requesting person's expense if no key is available.

• Protects custodians from liability for knowledge of box contents' value when examining contents solely to identify and withhold wills, burial plot deeds, and burial instructions.

• Authorizes removal of deeds to burial plots and burial instructions by authorized persons, and requires custodians not to prevent such removal.

• Preserves the right of surviving joint lessees to continue entering the safe deposit box after a decedent's death.

• Custodian expenses incurred under this section are considered estate administration expenses.