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 West Virginia, when a person passes away, it is common for family or friends to seek out important personal documents such as the will, life insurance policies, and burial instructions. If an individual is named on the lease agreement for the decedent's safe-deposit box, they may have the contractual right to access and remove documents from it. Otherwise, West Virginia state statutes dictate the process for accessing such documents. These laws specify who may inspect the documents without a court order and under what circumstances. If the documents are in the possession of a third party, like an attorney or financial planner, and the person seeking access is not listed in the statute, they may need to obtain a court order to gain access. It is advisable for individuals to consult with an attorney to navigate the specific legal requirements and procedures for accessing a decedent's personal documents in West Virginia.