Colin Wong
Somewhere safe, and somewhere your executor can actually reach. Here is how the options compare.
Your will is an important legal document. It can make an enormous difference to the people you leave behind, and it’s essential if you want your final wishes carried out accurately.
Keeping it safe matters. You need somewhere that protects against accidental loss, unintentional damage, and deliberate interference. It also needs to be somewhere your executor can find and get into when the time comes.
Where people keep a will
A fireproof, waterproof safe or lockbox at home. Inexpensive, and easy to get at if you want to update the will later.
With an attorney, if you work with one, or your accountant.
With the probate court. Many county clerks and probate courts will hold your original for a few dollars and release it to your executor.
A bank safe deposit box, with one catch. A box in your name alone is usually frozen when you die until somebody produces court paperwork, so a will locked inside can be the very document your executor needs to get in. Ask the bank about adding your executor to the agreement while you are alive.
Wherever you choose to store your will, your executor must know where it is and be able to access it after you die. Storing it in a personal safe that your executor doesn’t know about, or can’t get into, defeats the purpose entirely.
Tips for storing your will
Once you’ve chosen a secure location, a few additional steps can help make sure your final wishes are carried out as intended.
Tell your executor where it is. Make sure your executor, and any other trusted individuals, know where your will is stored and how to access it.
Keep copies. Make several copies of your will and store them in different secure locations. This reduces the risk of losing the only copy and provides evidence of your intentions if the original is ever tampered with. Note that in most states only the original, signed will can go to probate. Copies are for reference.
Review and update regularly. Revisit your will at least once a year and after any major life change, such as a marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant shift in your finances, to make sure it still accurately reflects your wishes.
Taking the next step
You can write or update your will online with EveryWill, and it costs you nothing. Charities cover the cost, and you can choose to leave a gift to one if it feels right.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a licensed attorney in your state.