When creating a will, one consideration you may not have given much thought to is where it should be stored. When keeping a will, a few options are available to everyone, as well as one thing you should never do. To help you understand where wills can be kept, here is an overview of the options.
Keep Your Will With a Solicitor
You have the choice to keep your will on file with a lawyer. If your solicitor drafted your will, they might be able to store both the original and a copy for you at no cost. a solicitor didn’t make your will, this could be costly.
Using a Will Storage Company
Another option is to store with a will storage company. You bear the risk of having an invalid will saved because they won’t verify the document’s authenticity before storing it. There are many companies that charge a fee for looking after wills, but if you choose to use this option, be sure to seek advice first.
Keeping Your Will at Home
Though this is a free option, it does come with several drawbacks. First, the will might not be valid; second, if you have the misfortune of having your will destroyed by fire or flood, it will be lost forever. Lastly, when a will is kept at home, it is possible for it to be inadvertently lost, destroyed, or shredded, which can pose issues for your executor when they are trying to locate the document.
Where Should You NOT Store a Will?
The one location your will should never be kept is in a bank safety deposit box. This is because the bank needs a will to grant your executor probate before they can use the safety deposit box.
Final Thoughts
The best practice for your will is once you have written it and have decided where you are going to store it, make sure your executor knows where it is and how they can get it. Don’t forget to note its storage location; place the paper containing the information in a secure place. Making sure your executor and loved ones know where to find you will after you die will help them with the probate process and ensure things run as smoothly as possible at a difficult time.
For professional probate advice, contact Probate a Will on 0203 9859554.
