Consumer complaint received 2024-12-20 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Closing an account — Can't close your account
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I, XXXX XXXX, received certified mail addressed to my deceased husband, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NY XXXX, from Chase bank dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX. I reside at the same address. My deceased husband 's safe deposit box resides at Chase Bank, at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NY XXXX. My daughter and I made an appointment ( next available was XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  ) to speak to XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, in order to make an appointment at the branch to take inventory of the box. We were told over the phone by XXXX XXXX that our Order to Search the Safe Deposit Box from Surrogate 's Court will not be accepted. I asked if I could email him the court order, or bring it in person, but he said they will reject it. He said we need a Letter of Testamentary or a Letter of Administration saying that I am the executor. 

( Note : The Court says they have never heard of this happening. Court said the appropriate action is to first take inventory then file Small Estate Affidavit with that inventory information. ) I asked if we could get an extension since the Chase correspondence says by XX/XX/XXXX, Chase will move the contents to an unknown secure location possibly out of state. The banker and branch manager did not know how long Chase will hold the contents before giving it to the State to sell off. ( Additional petitioning can take a few months, especially during holidays ) The banker asked Branch manager, XXXX XXXX, about the Order to Search the Safe Deposit Box and the extension, and he refused both. XXXX XXXX provided XXXX XXXX email address. My daughter emailed XXXX and XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, with the Order attached and asked for XXXX to call us. We have not heard from either party. 

XXXX XXXX also said, as far as he knows, we don't have to take inventory of the box. We just close it and take the contents with a Letter of Testamentary or Letter of Administration. XXXX XXXX, Staff Attorney, Planning and Estates Law Project at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( limited scope ), as well as the Surrogate 's Court said that that is not the appropriate action. That the Order to Search is the proper first step, and once the inventory is taken, I file a Small Estate affidavit with the inventory information. XXXX XXXX said that this is the process through Surrogate 's Court, even if Chase bank does not require the inventory. After filing the Small Estates Affidavit, the court issues Voluntary Administration Certificates- which are similar to the Letters Testamentary/of Administration, but for smaller estates. 

When I asked XXXX XXXX if we should just go ahead and file a Petition to get Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, her concern is that the court will reject the petition as we need to conduct a search of the safe deposit box before petitioning to collect the contents. 

The Surrogate 's Court employee ( XXXX XXXX ) handling the Order of search safe deposit box said she had never heard of this situation happening and said she would call the Branch manager on XX/XX/XXXX. But that it is not her job to call. I dont know when or if the call will actually occur.. 

From XXXX XXXX XXXX out and closing the safe deposit box is a two-part process. Receiving the Order to Search is the first part of the process. With the Order, you need to go to the bank and make an inventory of the contents of the safe deposit box. This is the process through Surrogate 's Court, even if Chase bank does not require the inventory.

Once you complete the inventory, you must then file a Small Estates Affidavit with the Inventory. We have previously prepared this for you. The Small Estates Affidavit can only be used if the estate value is under {$50000.00}. After filing the Small Estates Affidavit, the court will issue Voluntary Administration Certificates- which are similar to the Letters Testamentary/of Administration, but for smaller estates. It is also faster for the court to process. 


Contact info Chase Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX - Branch manager XXXX XXXX XXXX, bankers direct number is ( XXXX ) XXXX General Branch # XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation