Storing a Will

Once your Will is written and has been correctly signed and witnessed it is a legal document and must be safely stored. There are no laws stating where it must be kept, but the main thing is to ensure it is safe in the event of an accident, fire, flood, break-in or other unforeseen circumstance.

It is very important that you inform your executors where your Will is kept because if your original, signed Will cannot be found upon your death, you will be deemed as having died intestate (without a Will) – not something you’d want to happen.

Many people chose to store their Will with their solicitor. This can be particularly useful if your solicitor is one of the Executors. Check with your solicitor how much they will charge for storage and if this is a one-off or annual fee. One thing to keep in mind is that solicitors can move or stop trading, so be sure you tell your executors if your solicitor’s situation changes.

It is also possible to store your Will at a bank with a strong box facility for an annual charge. Again, remember to inform your executors where it is stored as many people have accounts with various banks and confusion can arise if the correct bank’s details have not be clearly communicated.

You can, of course, store your Will at home. If you do choose this option remember to put it in a place that is – as far as possible – safe from fire, floods, pests, theft or other potential calamities. You will need to tell someone you trust, preferably one of the executors, where it is for quick and easy retrieval when it is needed.

You can send your Will to the High Court who will store it at the Principle Probate Registry for a one-off fee. For more details see: www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1218.htm