When a person dies, someone will often need to locate the decedent's personal documents, such as a will, life insurance policy, burial plot deed, and burial instructions. Ideally, one or more of the decedent's family or friends will have access to these documents—or at least know their location (safe-deposit box, home safe).

If a person has a contractual right to access the decedent's safe-deposit box by virtue of being named on the lease agreement for the safe-deposit box, such person may access the documents and remove them, rather than merely inspecting them in the presence of a bank officer or the attorney or financial planner who has possession of the documents.

If the documents are known or believed to be in a safe-deposit box or held by another third party (attorney or financial planner), state statutes (laws) generally govern access to the documents—whether such access is with or without a court order.

For example, a state statute may identify the persons who may inspect such documents without a court order and the circumstances under which the documents may be inspected. And often a person other than one of the persons listed in the statute may seek a court order for access to a safe-deposit box or to documents held by a third-party custodian, such as the decedent's lawyer or financial planner.

In Iowa, when a person dies, locating their personal documents such as a will, life insurance policy, burial plot deed, and burial instructions is crucial. If someone is named on the lease agreement for the decedent's safe-deposit box, they have the contractual right to access and remove the documents. Iowa law allows certain individuals to access a decedent's safe-deposit box without a court order. These individuals typically include the executor or administrator of the estate, a person named in the will, or a surviving spouse. They may inspect the contents in the presence of a bank officer to search for a will or burial instructions. If the documents are held by a third party, like an attorney or financial planner, state statutes also dictate the conditions under which these documents can be accessed. If access is not granted under the statute, an interested party may petition the court for an order to access the safe-deposit box or documents held by a third-party custodian. It's advisable for individuals to consult with an attorney to navigate the specific legal requirements and processes involved in accessing a decedent's personal documents in Iowa.