Why is storing your Will securely so important? 

A new report from the National Will Register found that 44% of UK adults who have made a Will, only 25% have made a folder with details enclosed and told someone about it.

This highlights the importance of storing your Will securely and ensuring that the Will can be found easily upon death.

You may wish to store your Will at home. If so, it should be secured in a locked safe. However, there are risks involved in storing your Will at home: 

• Misplacement or Loss – The Will could easily be lost during a house move or misplaced
• Lack of Insurance
• Access Issues – Your family members may not be able to access the safe
• Damage – It could be damaged or destroyed due to a fire or flooding

Things you should know:

Storing your Will with a bank – Although storing your Will in your bank safety deposit box seems a good idea, the bank will only release your Will to your Executors upon sight of Probate however you cannot obtain Probate without providing them with the Will.

The original version of your Will is the only legally binding version. If you lose your original Will, It can be open to challenge or you will have to pay for a new one.

If your Executors cannot locate your Will after you pass away, your estate will be distributed in accordance with the intestacy rules. 

Why should you store your Will with a Solicitor?

• Security – We have a secure fireproof and water-resistant safe for storing Wills.
• Confidentiality – Whilst you are living, we are unable to provide your Executors or Beneficiaries with your Will or copies without your written consent. Will storage maintains the confidentiality and reduces the risk of unauthorised access.
• Peace of Mind – Knowing that your Will is safely stored gives you and your loved ones peace of mind.
• Compliance – We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) who oversee solicitors and law firms in England and Wales. They ensure that Solicitors are working to the highest standards to protect individuals. They conduct regular audits to assess compliance.
• Client protection measures – The SRA mandates that Solicitors maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance to protect clients in an event that could affect the stored Wills
• Accessibility – if you wish to amend your Will, we have immediate access to discuss your changes with you.

Reminders

It is important to update your Last Will & Testament regularly to take account of the changing circumstances for you, close family and friends. Reasons why it may become important to update your Last Will & Testament include:

• The value of your Estate has changed due to inflation since the date of your last Will;
• You have new children, grandchildren or relatives who you wish to include in your Will;
• You have separated or divorced a partner since the date of your last Will;
• You have remarried or started a new relationship since the date of your last Will;
• You have bought or sold property since the date of your last Will;
• A named beneficiary has passed away since the date of your last Will;
• An Executor has passed away since the date of your last Will;
• An Executor has become unsuitable as a result of age or ill health since the date of your last Will;

It is important to note that without your consent Solicitors are unable to provide your Executors with your Will or copies whilst you are still living.