You took the time to plan ahead and execute your Last Will and Testament. You hide the Will deep in your filing cabinet where you are certain it won’t be tampered with. But, what happens if no one else can find it?
Although we’re glad you see the importance of executing a Will and making sure it is safe, it is equally important that someone can find your Will after your death so that your wishes may be carried out. If you bury your Will in your files, under your mattress, or even in a safety deposit box that no one knows about, your children and/or executor may have no idea where to find it.
Creating a Will takes careful consideration as well as your hard-earned money, so make sure you store it somewhere your family easily can locate it after you have died. Here are a few suggestions:
Where to keep your Will:
- Tell your attorney where you will be keeping your Will so he/she can note its location in his/her file. Leave a Memorandum letting family members know that they can contact your attorney for information.
- If you choose to keep your Will at home, keep it in a safe place and/or on a high shelf in a heat-proof, waterproof, fire-proof safe. Make sure that only the most trustworthy people have the safe’s combination or know where to find the key.
- If you choose to keep your Will in a safety deposit box at your local bank make sure that your executor knows the name and location of the bank where your safety deposit box is located. Ideally, a second trusted person should be an authorized user of the box.
If you are interested in learning more about Wills and other estate planning documents, please call the office to schedule an appointment. We would be glad to meet with you for a free, no hassle initial consultation, no matter how long it lasts.