Will Storage – How To Store Wills Securely

1. Let a solicitor do your will storage for you

Having a solicitors securely store a will is a good option for many people. Many solicitors offer this as part of the preparation fee.

But where do the solicitors keep all the wills they have been asked to look after?

It is a valid question because you trust one of the most important documents created during your lifetime will be kept safe until it is needed.

In many cases ‘will storage’ means the will is kept in a fireproof safe or a safety deposit box ready for retrieval when needed. A good management system is required to ensue that the will can be found quickly and easily. After all a bereaved family has enough to cope with without having to provide personal details of the dearly departed so it can be tracked down.

A good option for solicitors for secure will storage is a document management company. Archive storage businesses have a well organised document storage system that allows them to access wills quickly and efficiently.

They also have many other advantages such as:

• 24 x 7 x 365 security
• Fireproof storage

A solicitors could keep thousands of wills securely using a document management business. This removes the requirement of onsite storage in the solicitors office and makes retrieval much easier than storing it in a safety deposit box.

• Pros: Normally included in the will preparation fee.
• Cons: If you use a different solicitor to store your will then they will charge a fee.

2. Let a will writing service store it

If you use a will writing service they can normally offer will storage for an extra fee.

• Pros: Costs less than a solicitor.
• Cons: You may be less protected if something goes wrong than with a solicitor. What happens if the will were damaged or lost, or if they went out of business?

3. Lodge it with the Probate Service (England and Wales)

You can store your will with the Probate Service.  You have to lodge it with them officially, and make an official requests to take it out again.

• Pros: Flat fee of £20.
• Cons: Only you can take the will out while you’re still alive. You can’t ask a solicitor to get it for you.

There’s more information about storing your will with the Probate Service on the HM Courts and Tribunal Service website.

4. Keep your will yourself

You can keep your will with your other documents in a safe place. Just make sure your executor knows where it is.

• Pros: Free.
• Cons: Risky, as the will may be lost.

Have you had issues?

Have you, or your business been affected by any issues mentioned in this post? If so, feel free to leave a comment below.

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