Where should you keep your will?

After I draft a will for clients, they often ask me where they should keep it. 

The answer is someplace safe—waterproof/fireproof boxes or small safes are good ideas—and accessible. You should know where it is, not file it away where it can get lost. It’s critical to tell your family and the executor where it is so it can be accessed when needed.

My office gets several calls a week from people who have lost their wills and need to have a new one done. It’s common for an item like this, that you don’t need on an everyday basis, to get lost in the shuffle. People sometimes put their will in a safe deposit box at the bank but then don’t tell their family which bank branch or where the key is.



Now that summer is waning and people are getting back into their routines, I recommend they take pause to find their will and make sure it’s up to date. Are the beneficiaries still around? Have you acquired any assets that should be added?

In addition to having a will, the other three main estate planning documents I tell people they should have are financial power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney and a living will.

The POAs designate someone to manage your finances and make healthcare decisions if you’re not able to do so. And the living will outlines your wishes about end-of-life medical treatment, including life support.

Having your wishes documented lends invaluable peace of mind for you and takes stress away from your family to have to make those decisions. 

Margaret T. Karl, Attorney at Law, is located at 25800 North Depot Street, Suite 102, in Olmsted Falls. Call 440-782-5051 or visit OlmstedOhioLaw.com.