Where Should I Store My Will? A message from our Private Client Partner

Making a Will could be on your “To-Do” List for some time, but what should you do with your Will once you have made it?

The document is a very important one.  You need to consider keeping it safe balanced with ensuring people can find it when the time comes.

If you are keeping it at home, consider a lockable, fireproof cabinet and letting your executors (the people who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes when you die) named in the Will know how to access the safe and that your Will is stored there.

You could ask for it to be professionally stored.  This would usually be with your bank, solicitor of financial adviser.  If you decide to do this, consider the following:

• Where will they be storing your document
• Make sure you keep a copy
• Let your executors know where the original is being kept
• Are they charging for this service?  If so, is it a one-off cost or a recurring cost such as monthly or annually?

From time to time, professional institutions close, merge with other companies or transfer their business out to a third party.  You should be notified if this is the case and asked for your consent (especially if it is a solicitors practice).  You can decide to have your documents transfer to the new business, ask for them to be returned to you or you can find a new professional to hold the Will on your behalf, even if you did not make the Will with them in the first place.

If you want to find out more about our Will storage service, please contact a member of our Private Client Team on 01473 229200

Our blogs and articles are correct at the time of writing.

These have been created for marketing purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice.