Storing Your Will – Let Your Executor Know its Location

You original will is one of the most important documents you will ever create.

It should be stored in a secure location that allows you and your executor access to it when required.

Until you pass away you may wish that only you have access to the will in case you need to make changes to it.

1. A safety deposit box at a financial institution is a good option, but has an ongoing cost, limited access and may not be the most convenient.
2. Alternatively, a safe at your home allows easy access, security and may be more cost effective in the long run.

Upon you passing, your executor will need to take possession of the will. Your executor will be allowed access to your safety deposit box at a financial institution and allowed to remove the original will from the box.

However you store your will, you should inform your executor as to the location, and keep the executor updated if the location changes. This may also include information about keys or combinations that will be required to gain access to a location.

Wills notices may also be used to record a wills location. Such a notice is recorded at the division of vital statistics and provides location and date information about a will. There is a cost to using wills notices, but you may feel that it is not necessary to involve the provincial government in recording the location of you personal documents.

Whatever you choose, let us know if we can help.