Where is your Will?
Andrea has written this really useful blog to explain how we help give our customers peace of mind knowing that their Will, and other important documents are safely stored.
So, where IS your Will? Something I ask my customers when they tell me they have a Will in place. You would be amazed how many times they don’t know where it is! Making a Will and then not storing it securely can, in some cases, be worse than not making a Will at all! The consequences can be disastrous for you and your family. In the wrong hands. it can even be dangerous!
Using our secure Document Storage service prevents your Will being accidentally, or even deliberately, lost. And means that you can always answer the question “Where is your Will”? Read on to find out why I think using a document storage service is so important! And for more information about how it works.
Can’t I just store my Will at home?
Yes! You can store it at home BUT this is your original Will – the one we prepared, and you signed. Copies count for nothing. Your original Will is the only one that can be used to obtain a Grant of Probate after you die. It is the only one that allows your Executors to obtain authority to distribute your estate.. And this is what can go wrong if you choose to store it yourself.
- It could be destroyed or lost by accident – in a fire, flood or even a burglary. The cost of getting a new Will can be high. And if you don’t have capacity, you can’t even make a new one.
- It isn’t private, or safe from “prying eyes”. Are there some people that you wouldn’t want to know what is in your Will?
- It could go missing “on purpose”. Several clients have told me stories of Wills ‘going missing’. Your Will, in the wrong hands, could be destroyed by burning / shredding etc. by someone who doesn’t like the content, or stands to gain more if a Will isn’t in place.
What about other places to store?
Wills can be stored at the Probate Registry for a small charge. . But you can only store your will (not any related or other important documents). And if you update your Will, you need to pay again
You can sometimes get free storage from a law firm. This can be useful, but we know of many law firms who have changed hands, sometimes many times. And in the process, Wills can be lost or very difficult to find. When I ask, “Where is your Will?”, a common reply is “with the firm who did it but we don’t’ know how to contact them now”
What happens if your Will is destroyed, or can’t be found?
If the original Will can’t be found, then it is assumed that a Will wasn’t made at all. Then the rules of “Intestacy” apply. meaning. the state decides how your assets are distributed. How could this affect me? –
- Your personal possessions you want to go to a particular person might not get to them
- if you have excluded someone in your Will, they could end up inheriting
- if you have left your children an uneven share they may end up with the same share
- people you wanted to leave something to, like step-children, god-children or charities may not inherit
- your “next of kin” would have to apply to be your executor (to gain the right to deal with your affairs) – a lengthy process and incurring extra cost
So, to avoid not knowing the answer to the question “Where is my Will”?, I’d strongly recommend you use our secure Document Storage service for this and all your other important documents.
How does it work?
When you’ve signed your Will, we will scan it and send it, along with any related documents, to the National Will Archive for safe keeping. You will get a copy of everything that has been sent. You will also receive a certificate with your unique storage number, along with 2 cards to give to your Executors. That allows them to contact the National Will Archive as needed and retrieve all the documents you stored.
We also register your Will on the National Will Register. It is the central place to register Wills for most law firms, and there are more than 10 million Wills registered. Registration means it is much easier to find out if there are more recent Wills or where/when your Will was made.
Can I only store my Will?
No! You can store your Will and Powers of Attorney AND any other important paperwork. Imagine if your Executors or Attorneys needed to find everything in your house that they needed to help you or your family. You can store documents such as house deeds, birth certificates, business documents, funeral plans etc altogether in one place. Or you may like to include a list containing important information – like key contacts, account numbers, passwords – these can be kept in a sealed envelope if you like. If you wish, you can also store letters – maybe something for your loved ones? Or even a precious photo or two?
How much does it cost?
Our service costs £20 per year for a single person, and £30 per year for a couple. This allows you to store all your documents safely in the National Will Archive, and also take advantage of our FREE Will updates offer.
So when someone asks “Where is your Will?“, make sure you and your Executors know where yours is. giving you peace of mind that it is safe for whenever it is needed.
You can download our simple guide to our service here. Or give me a call on 01524 571032 to find out more