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Finding unexpected information about your loved one

While you’re going through your loved one’s things, you may discover secrets you weren’t meant to see or facts that your loved one neglected to mention. Even if they’re happy secrets, the revelation can be very unsettling.

Accessing your loved one’s safe-deposit box

After a loved one passes away, you may need to see inside their safe-deposit box to know what to do with its contents. You will need some paperwork, and, depending on the state and the bank, a court order, and then the bank will let you look inside.

What to do when you can’t find important documents

Sometimes you need an original copy of one of your loved one’s documents and it is nowhere to be found. For most of these documents there is a set procedure for obtaining a new official copy, if you have the right information and documentation.