Bank accounts and disputes
Frozen Accounts & Safe Deposit Boxes
What banks require after death, returning Social Security deposits, and court petitions to open safe deposit boxes.
Do this first
Do not spend a Social Security payment that arrives after the death until you have checked with Social Security. Payments your loved one was not entitled to are taken back.
Returning Social Security payments
Social Security benefits are paid in arrears (e.g., the payment received in June is for the month of May).
- A recipient must live through the entire calendar month to be eligible for that month's benefit.
- If someone passes away on June 29th, they are NOT entitled to the payment for June that arrives in July.
- Leave the money in the account. The Treasury Department will automatically reverse the electronic deposit. If you spend it, the government will demand repayment from you personally.
Safe deposit box rules after death
When a bank learns of a renter's death, the safe deposit box is sealed immediately.
- To open it, most states require a court order or the appointment of the executor.
- Never store original wills or life insurance policies in a solo safe deposit box; keep them in a fireproof safe at home.
Sources
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- Social Security Administration
Last reviewed: September 28, 2026