Making a Will is an important step, but where you keep it matters too. If your executors cannot find your original Will, or it has been damaged, your family may face delays, extra cost and uncertainty. This guide explains how to store your Will safely, what can go wrong, and the storage options available through A.D.E. Wills.
Why Will storage matters
Your executors normally need the original signed Will to apply for a grant of probate. A photocopy or scan is not usually enough on its own.
If the original cannot be found, problems can follow. For example, if the Will was last known to be in your possession and cannot be found after your death, the law may presume that you destroyed it to revoke it. If that presumption is not rebutted, your estate may pass under an earlier Will or under the intestacy rules. Sometimes a copy can be admitted instead, but this usually involves extra evidence, time and cost.
Damage can also cause difficulties. Marks, staple holes or signs that something was attached can lead to questions from the probate registry. So, it is sensible to keep your original Will flat, unaltered and in a secure place.
How to store your Will safely
There are several ways to store your Will safely:
- At home: this costs nothing, but there is a risk of loss, fire, flood or someone tampering with it. If you keep it at home, use a fireproof box and tell your executors where it is.
- With a professional: many Will writers and solicitors offer secure storage.
- With the Probate Service: you can deposit your Will with HM Courts and Tribunals Service for a fee. GOV.UK explains how in its guide to making a Will.
Wherever you store your Will, make sure your executors know where it is and how to get it.
Will storage with A.D.E. Wills
When we write your Will, we offer two plans to help you store your Will safely and keep it up to date. Both are only available for Wills written by A.D.E. Wills.
Safe Will Plan
Our Safe Will Plan costs £36 a year for one person or £60 a year for a couple, billed annually. It includes:
- fireproof storage for your original Will and related documents
- a password-protected copy of your Will
- an annual reminder to check your Will is still up to date
- a free yearly review
- release of your Will to your executors when needed
- free registration of your Will
- 10% off other Wills services
You can read more on our Will storage page.
Legacy Care Plan
Our Legacy Care Plan suits people who expect their circumstances to change. It costs £10 a month for one person or £18 a month for a couple. It includes:
- everything in the Safe Will Plan
- one minor update to your Will each year
- a brand-new Will every three years
- registration with the Certainty National Will Register
You can read more on our Legacy Care Plan page.
Storing other documents with your Will
It can help your executors if important papers are kept together. For example, you might store your letter of wishes, Lasting Powers of Attorney, or a note of where your pension and account details are. Having these in one place can make your executors’ job easier.
Registering your Will
Certainty, the National Will Register, is endorsed by the Law Society. Registering your Will records where it is stored, but not what it says. When someone dies, executors and solicitors can search the register to find out whether a Will exists and where it is. This reduces the risk of your Will being missed, even if your family do not know where it is kept.
Keep your Will up to date
Safe storage only helps if your Will still reflects your wishes. Major life events such as marriage, divorce, a new relationship, children or moving home can all affect your Will. Also, marriage or civil partnership usually revokes an existing Will. So, it is worth reviewing your Will regularly.
Getting started
If you would like to talk about writing your Will or storing it with us, call 01865 507174 or email info@adewills.co.uk. You can also read more about our Wills.
