Peace of Mind Planning: Storing a Will and Who to Notify

Most people understand the importance of having a Will in place, whatever your age and circumstances. But what should you do with your Will once it has been drafted and signed? We look at storing a Will and who you should notify of its location.

A Will gives you the opportunity to determine how you want your affairs handled in the future. Once you have created your Will, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your assets will pass to your chosen beneficiaries as you desire. However, it’s crucial that your executors know about your Will and its location.

Unfortunately, hundreds of estates face complications each year due to missing Wills. This can prevent the fulfilment of an individual’s wishes, deprive loved ones of their inheritance, and create tension among family members. Additionally, it significantly delays and increases the cost of estate administration.

To avoid these issues, simply ensure your Will is stored properly and that clear procedures exist for its easy retrieval when needed.

What are the options for Will storage?

The main choices for storing a Will are as follows:

• Store it with the government’s HM Courts and Tribunals Service
• Ask your Will writer to store it for you
• Keep it at your bank
• Put it with your own papers at home

Store your Will with HM Courts and Tribunals Service

You can store your Will with HM Courts and Tribunals Service. There is a form to fill in and you can send the Will, the form and the fee of £22 in the post. Once it has been lodged, you will be sent a lodgement certificate confirming that it has been received and you can store this with your important documents.

Ask your Will writer to store your Will

Many Will writers offer a Will storage facility. You can ask them to place your Will there once it has been executed. You will be provided with a copy for your records along with a receipt. Even if the law firm closes or merges at some point in the future, there are strict rules relating to Wills, meaning that it will both be kept safely and be easy to trace. If your Will is moved during your lifetime, you will be notified.

Store your Will at your bank

It is possible to store a Will at your bank, but you must not put it in a safety deposit box as your executor will not be able to open it. This is because they will need a Grant of Probate in order to do so, and they will not be able to apply for the grant without the original Will.

Storing a Will at home

You can keep your Will at home with other important documents, provided that you make sure your executors know how to locate it. It is also essential to keep the Will in good condition. If it is damaged, it may be classed as invalid.

Who should I tell where my Will is?

You should tell your executors where to find your Will when the time comes. Even if you feel that it is in an obvious place, it may be difficult for others to locate easily. You can also register your Will. One of the leading Wills registers is the National Will Register. They have records of over 10 million Wills and in return for a modest fee they will record details of where your Will is held and respond to enquiries from your executor or their solicitor as needed. Whatever you decide to do, you should put a clear record of this with your paperwork as well as telling your executors.

Finding a Will

If solicitors are asked to assist in finding a Will, they will make a range of investigations, including:

• Asking the executors to search someone’s personal papers
• Writing to banks and former solicitors
• Make enquiries of law firms that have taken over other law firms
• Make enquiries of the Law Society if a law firm has closed
• Asking the HM Courts & Tribunal Service to search their records
• Make enquiries with the National Wills Register

Contact Us

If you would like to speak to one of our experts call us FREE on 0800 781 6658 or email us at enquiries@estplan.co.uk

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