Wells Fargo refuses reasonable access to safe deposit box

Wells Fargo refuses reasonable access to safe deposit box

September 29, 2005

My mother died in April 2005 and I was appointed executrix of her estate. I went to her Wells Fargo branch several weeks after her death and with only a power of attorney and a driver's license was allowed to clear out the contents of the box.

Several weeks after that, I decided to close the box and returned with a Letter Testimentary appointing me executrix, her death certificate, and my driver's license. I was told that I had to prove my marriage of 2000 as the reason for why my name was different from my mother's. I don't know why this was necessary considering that I had a legal letter with my current name on it appointing me in charge of her estate, but I had to let the matter rest as I lived out of state at the time and did not have that documentation with me.

I returned to the branch recently to close the box in response to a written request from Wells Fargo for payment. This time, I had a copy of the key to the box, my driver's license, valid US passport with current name, marriage license with past and current name, birth certificate, Letter Testimentary, and mother's death certificate. I was informed by a supervisor that I would need more 'current' documentation of my name change and that she would need to contact the bank's legal counsel for further resolution of the matter. However, the bank manager told that I had 'no right' to speak to the bank's legal department myself, nor was I given additional recourse for complaint. I suppose, however, that the bank will continue to solicit for late fees on the empty box that it will not allow anyone to close.

I am well-dressed, neat, and middle-class, and I presented valid legal documentation above and beyond what I have been required to present to any other bank, commercial, or legal institution to be able to deal with the matters of my mother's estate, including the IRS.

My mother had banked with this branch for many years even before it was taken over by

Wells Fargo and complained of the service, so I suspect that I am the victim of wanton ignorance of the law. I have filed a complaint with the FDIC although technically, the bank has passed the period within which they could file a claim against the estate so I suppose it is more its problem now.

Kimberly Click this link to e-mail the message author: Email User