There’s no legal requirement to store your will in one particular place, so as long as it is safe and your executor knows where to find it, you can technically leave it anywhere. However, here we are going to take a look at four main (& safe) options.
Store your will with a solicitor
This is perhaps seen as the most common option as most people complete their will with a solicitor. When you do this, your solicitor will often keep the original and give you a copy. Not all solicitors are the same though, so you’ll want to check how they are storing your will.
Even if you don’t write your will with a solicitor, they will often let you store it with them but this will usually have a fee attached. Either way, this is a secure option as long as the executor knows which firm you have used.
Key points:
- Solicitors usually offer will storage as part of their service
- They will have backup systems if it’s lost or damaged
- You may have to pay extra if they didn’t write the will
Store your will with a will-writing service
There are many will-writing services out there that work in a similar way to a solicitor. A will-writing service will often let you store your will as part of their service and will often cost less than the typical solicitor fees.
However, as they aren’t regulated, you’re not going to have the same level of protection as you would with a solicitor. Due to this, you’ll always want to keep your own copy. Your executor should know both which service you used and where the copy is.
Key points:
- It can be cheaper than using a solicitor
- The industry isn’t regulated
- Make sure to keep your own copy
Store your will with the probate service
This is a good option for those living in England and Wales. The Probate Service will store your will for a low fee of £20. This is a secure service as it will be officially registered with them.
Key points:
- An extra cost if you’ve already used a solicitor
- The longer process to access with extra forms to sign
- Is extremely secure
Store your will in self-storage
There are obvious risks to this as it won’t be in a secure facility with a backup. It can also make it more vulnerable to fire and theft if it’s in your home. If you are doing this then you should let your executor know where it can be found and inform them if you ever move it.
Key points:
- There is no cost to this solution
- Can give an executor immediate access
- A riskier option for storage
Bonus!
A bonus #5 just for you! We have an easy will storing service that you can take advantage of on our website.
Once the will is complete, you can choose one of the below options:
- Starter (£59): print-at-home will to sign and keep yourself. (If you choose this option, check out our article on the best places to store your will)
- Grow (£89): professionally printed, bound, and delivered. Sign it and return it to us to check and store for you. Uploading it into the National Will Registry is also included
- Inherit (£399): Everything in Grow, plus create a Trust to help complex situations and protect your estate against tax.
Where you shouldn’t store a will
You should be protective of your will and keep it stored in a safe, known place. If you’re storing your will at home, that means keeping it organised in a folder or a cabinet, and not loosely in a draw. You don’t want to risk losing it, accidentally throwing it out or having it get damaged.
You also shouldn’t store it in any place that you’ll need a grant of probate to access, such as a safety deposit box at a bank. This can severely delay retrieving the will and make it much harder for your executor to gain access to it.
Where you store your will matters
Where you store your will is going to be up to you and there may be no right or wrong answer, but you do want to keep it safe and accessible. Let us know which you choose, and if we can help keep your will safe now or in the future. We’d love to give you peace of mind and help plan for your future, together.