Looking after your Will

During your final meeting with your Will writer, you should ideally discuss how you intend to store your documents. 

 

You can: 

 

You might want to keep your documents at home so they’re easy to find when you die. You might put them in a cupboard, filing cabinet or folder. However, there are some risks with this approach you should think about first. For example: 

 

 

If you’re happy that your Will is safe at home, just let your Will writer know this is what you want to do. 

 

Professional storage is a secure and safe option. Many Will writers offer this service themselves or via a specialist storage company. The advantage is that your Will is in a known location. It’s also protected from loss, theft, accidental or malicious damage. If you wish, you can also store other important documents like property deeds, LPAs or insurance documents in the same place. 

 

Your executors can retrieve your Will easily with checks before your Will is released to them for extra peace of mind. For example, your executors will need a copy of your death certificate and proof of their identity. 

 

Some storage providers like The National Will Archive also check Wills to confirm they’re legally valid. They scan copies to provide digital records when a Will is deposited or withdrawn. They might also provide ID cards for people authorised to access stored Wills and register the documents stored. They also register all stored Wills with The National Will Register. For a fee this provides extra certainty about the document’s existence and location. 

 

It’s a good idea to keep scanned or paper copies as a back-up along with any relevant agreements, letters, notes and drafts as well as your final documents. 

 

Ideally, you should also plan a date to review the contents of your Will and other important documents. It’s surprising how many things can change. Take a fresh look every three to five years, just to confirm everything is up to date.