Where to Store Your Will?

Storage of Wills - National Will Safe

I have many clients asking me…

Where do I store my Will?

Well, as many are not actually aware of, there is only one original of your Will and so this one and only version must be kept safe and secure. It must also be known to your Executors where to find it should you pass away.

Any photocopies and the copies kept by your legal advisor are not legally valid. Your original Will therefore needs to be kept safe.

Many people keep their Wills at home. But if you had a fire, flood or burglary, you are at risk of losing your Will. During a time like that, you may not have the opportunity to re sign a new Will or you may not put it at the top of your priority list (even though it should be!)

Even you leaving it at home and your children end up drawing their favourite superhero on it could cast doubts as to the contents of the Will or raise questions as to why it is damaged.

It is a great first step if you prepare a Will, but it is no use if you spend that time and money preparing it, to not store it safely.

National Will Safe

We at Penn Chambers work with National Will Safe which is a document storage solution for professional advisors. National Will Safe are the recommended storage company by The Institute of Professional Will Writers.

The Will (and other legal documents) are kept in a sealed waterproof wallet in a fireproof safe. The legal document is safe and away from damp and light.

We can provide you copies of your Will and, whilst you may have copies to hand and they are not valid, we will hold reference internally that the original is stored with National Will Safe.

You will be provided with plastic identity cards which provides our contact details, your name and unique reference, and National Will Safe’s details. The purpose of these is to give them to your Executors so that they can easily obtain your Will when that time is required.

National Will Register

Whilst many people making a Will, there are a lot of Wills that go missing and are never found.

The National Will Register is a record of Wills written (so long as it is registered there) and also where it is kept. It is the longest established and largest register in the UK.

If your Will is stored with National Will Safe, it is automatically registered with the National Will Register (whom usually charge a separate fee).

Accessing Documents (Client)

National Will Safe allows people to keep their Will in a safe place but it is also easily accessible if required.

If you want to obtain the stored documents, you can contact us and we can request the same on your behalf. National Will Safe will then send the documents to us the next working day via recorded delivery.

Otherwise, you can contact National Will Safe yourself directly to obtain the stored documents.

The same applies if your Executor needs to access the Will to undertake their duties as Executor, i.e. they can easily retrieve the Will. They can either us or they can contact National Will Safe along with a copy of the death certificate.

As an Executor, it is important to identify whether a Will exists and, if so, where it is and that it is the most up to date version.

Updating Your Will

If you decide to update your Will, or need access to it for whatever reason, you can simply contact us and National Will Safe can arrange for it to be returned to you.

Insurance

National Will Safe is also fully insured so that if it is lost or damaged during your lifetime, they will replace it for you, free of charge.

Further, if your Will is lost or damaged after your death, or it only comes to light after your death, they are also further insured to enable to compensate your estate and its beneficiaries for any losses that they incur as a result of their being no legally valid Will.

Once a legal document is stored with National Will Safe, they will confirm receipt to us, you direct and also provide two plastic identity cards containing your unique reference number, our contact details and National Will Safe’s contact details.

Fees

The annual fee is £45 per wallet, which is paid by Direct Debit.

National Will Safe allows you to have free access to your Will whenever you request and as often as you wish, and always be returned to your door.

Many people spend hundreds of pounds and many hours of time on a Will, yet never store it properly.

Make sure you do – do not put your family and loved ones at risk.

Emma Aslett

Penn Chambers Solicitors   

0207 183 4595

The information provided in this article is not intended to constitute professional advice and you should take full and comprehensive legal, accountancy or financial advice as appropriate on your individual circumstances by a fully qualified Solicitor, Accountant or Financial Advisor/Mortgage Broker before you embark on any course of action.