Where Should You Keep Your Will?

Sara C. Derrick

Give careful consideration where you plan to store your will. It could affect how soon it is read.

If it is in your safe deposit box, there is a possibility that the box will be sealed upon your death. It may remain unopened until the court appoints a personal representative or until opened in the presence of a state official. If you store your will in your spouse's safe deposit box, you could have the same problem if you die in the same accident or within a short time of one another.

If you keep your will at your home or office, make sure your "Agent" knows where to locate it.  Vital documents have been known to be lost or accidentally thrown away or destroyed.  If you store vital documents in your home safe or in a locked drawer, be sure that your "Agent" has the combination to access the safe and/or a key to open the drawer.

A good solution is to have your attorney or accountant store the original document for you. Mark your copy with a note identifying where the original is located.

Regardless of where you decide to store your will, make sure that several people know its location.

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