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Who Should Know Where Your Will Is Kept
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Creating a will is just the first step in effective estate planning. If nobody can find it when you're gone, it's like you never made one at all. Think about it – you could have the most perfectly written will in the world, but if it's hidden away where nobody knows to look, your family will be left scrambling during an already difficult time.
The question isn't just where to keep your will safe. It's who should know where to find it. Getting this right can save your loved ones months of stress, legal complications, and unnecessary expenses during what's already an emotionally challenging period.
Your Executor Should Be First to Know
Your executor is the most important person who needs to know where your will is kept. This person will be responsible for carrying out your wishes, managing your estate, and ensuring your will is properly executed through the probate process.
Don't just tell them once and forget about it. Have a real conversation about it. Show them exactly where it's stored, walk them through the process, and ensure they're comfortable with their responsibilities. Give them any passwords, safe combinations, or keys they might need. If you move your will or change storage methods, update your executor immediately – this communication is absolutely critical.
For example, Sarah kept her will in a safety deposit box at her local bank. She gave her daughter Lisa, who was her executor, a copy of the key and told her exactly which bank and box number. When Sarah passed away, Lisa was able to access the will within days instead of spending weeks searching through documents and wondering if a will even existed.
Close Family Members Need to Know Too
Your spouse or partner should definitely know where your will is kept and have access to it. They're likely going through the most stress when you pass away and shouldn't have to hunt for important documents while dealing with grief and funeral arrangements.
Your adult children should also be informed, especially if they're not your executor. Even if they're not handling your estate directly, they may need to help locate documents or assist the executor with various tasks. This is particularly important if your executor lives far away or isn't immediately available when you pass.
Consider telling one or two other close family members as backup. Maybe a sibling or your closest adult child who demonstrates responsibility and organization. You don't need to tell everyone in your extended family, but having multiple people who know creates a safety net and ensures someone can always locate your important documents.
Your Attorney Should Have Copies
If you worked with an estate planning attorney to create your will, they should have a copy stored securely. Many attorneys keep original wills in their office safes or provide specialized secure storage services for clients, often at no additional charge.
This creates an important backup system that can be invaluable. If something happens to your original will – fire, flood, or simple misplacement – or if family members can't locate it immediately, your attorney can provide the necessary documents to get the probate process started without delays.
Make sure your family knows which attorney helped you create your will and other estate planning documents. Keep their contact information with your other important documents, and consider organizing this information in a way that's easy for your loved ones to find and understand.
Consider Telling a Trusted Friend
Sometimes it makes sense to tell a close, trusted friend about your will's location. This might be especially important if you're single, divorced, widowed, or if your immediate family lives far away and wouldn't be immediately available.
Choose someone who's organized, responsible, and likely to be available when needed. This person doesn't need to know the details of your will or your specific bequests – just where to find it if something happens to you unexpectedly.
Professional Advisors May Need Access Information
Beyond your attorney, other professional advisors might need to know about your will's location. Your financial advisor, accountant, or insurance agent may need access to your estate planning documents to properly coordinate your overall financial plan.
If you have a revocable trust in addition to your will, these professionals often need to understand how your various estate planning documents work together. They can also serve as additional points of contact for your family when you're no longer available to provide guidance.
Who Shouldn't Know
Not everyone needs to know where your will is kept, and discretion is important. You don't need to tell casual acquaintances, distant relatives, neighbors, or anyone you don't completely trust with sensitive information. Too many people knowing can create confusion, gossip, or potential problems down the road.
Also, be careful about telling people who might have strong emotional reactions to your estate plans. If you know certain family members might be upset about your decisions or might try to influence changes, they don't need to know the location until after you're gone. Keep your circle of informed people small and trusted.
Best Ways to Share Location Information
Don't rely on verbal communication alone – people forget, and details can get confused over time. Write down where your will is kept and give copies of this information to the key people who need to know, ensuring the information is clear and detailed.
Create a simple document that includes the exact location, any access codes or keys needed, your attorney's contact information, and any special instructions. Update this document whenever you move your will, change storage methods, or switch attorneys. Consider laminating these instruction cards or storing them in protective sleeves.
Some people include this information in a letter of instruction that they keep with other important documents. Others create a master list of important document locations that they share with trusted family members, making it easy to find everything from insurance policies to bank account information.
Digital Storage Considerations
If you store your will digitally or keep location information on your computer, tablet, or phone, make sure others can access these devices when necessary. Consider using a password manager that trusted family members can access, or keep written copies of important passwords in a secure physical location.
Remember that digital storage has its own unique challenges and potential pitfalls. Files can be corrupted, devices can break or become obsolete, and online services can change their policies or go out of business. Always have physical backups and make sure multiple people know how to access your digital information – don't let technology become a barrier to accessing your important documents.
Special Considerations for Blended Families
If you have a blended family with children from previous relationships, deciding who should know about your will's location requires extra thought. You'll want to balance transparency with family dynamics, ensuring that your current spouse and all your children have appropriate access to information.
Consider having conversations with adult children from all relationships about your estate planning approach. This can help prevent confusion and conflicts later, especially if your will includes specific provisions for different family members or addresses complex family situations.
Review and Update Regularly
Your will storage situation might change over time, and regular reviews are essential. You might switch banks, move to a new home, choose a different attorney, or decide to change your storage method entirely. Whenever you make changes, update everyone who needs to know – don't assume they'll figure it out on their own.
Set a reminder to review this information annually, perhaps on your birthday or at the beginning of each year. During your yearly review, confirm that the people you've told still have current contact information and that they remember where your will is stored. Life gets busy, and people forget details over time.
Also consider whether your chosen people are still the right ones to know. Has your executor moved away? Has a family relationship changed? Are there new people in your life who should be informed? Regular reviews help ensure your information sharing stays current and effective.
Make It Easy for Everyone
The goal is to make things as simple as possible for your loved ones during a difficult time. Clear communication about where your will is kept is one of the most practical gifts you can give your family, saving them stress and confusion when they're already dealing with loss.
Take action today. Make sure your executor knows exactly where to find your will and feels confident about their role. Tell your spouse and adult children. Confirm your attorney has copies and that your family knows how to contact them.
Write down the location information and share it with the right people using multiple methods – verbal communication backed up by written instructions. Consider creating a simple information sheet that covers not just your will, but other important documents and accounts your family might need to access.
Your family will thank you for making their lives a little easier when they're dealing with the loss of someone they love. Taking these steps now demonstrates your continued care for their wellbeing, even after you're gone.
