Writing a will is a vital step in planning for the future, but it’s only useful if it can be found when it’s needed. If your executor doesn’t know where to locate it, or if it’s locked away somewhere inaccessible, your wishes might never be carried out. While there’s no legal requirement for where you must keep your will, here are some the most common and practical choices…

Keeping It Yourself

You’re free to store your will at home. In a safe, filing cabinet, or wherever you prefer. Just make sure your executor knows where to find it.

😊 No cost involved.

😐 Risk of accidental damage, loss, or disposal.

Important Tip: Avoid attaching anything to your will. No staples, paperclips, or extra documents like Codicils. These can leave marks that raise doubts about whether something is missing or altered. That could lead to delays and complications for your executor, including needing to contact witnesses to verify the document.

With a Solicitor

If a solicitor drafts your will, they’ll often store the original for free and provide you with a copy. Even if they didn’t write it, many solicitors will still store it for a fee.

😊 Solicitors are professionally regulated, so if anything happens to the will, you have a formal route to resolve it.

😐 If they didn’t write your will, you may need to pay for storage.

Through a Will Writing Service

Many will writing services offer storage for an additional charge.

😊 Often cheaper than using a solicitor.

😐 Less protection if the will is lost or damaged and if the company shuts down, retrieving your will could be tricky.

Lodging It with the Probate Service (England and Wales)

You can officially deposit your will with the Probate Service for a one-time fee.

😊 Flat fee of £20 and secure government-backed storage.

😐 Only you can retrieve it while alive, and you’ll need to submit a formal request. Solicitors or others can’t access it on your behalf.

Common mistakes…

Bank safe deposit boxes. They’re secure, but they create a major problem. Banks won’t allow access to the box until your executor has legal authority (known as probate). And here’s the catch… probate can’t be granted without the will itself.

So, avoid placing your will anywhere that requires probate to access. It needs to be reachable immediately after your death.

Once you’ve chosen a storage method, don’t keep it a secret. Your executor needs to know exactly where the original document is and how to retrieve it. It’s not enough to mention it in passing, write it down clearly and keep that note somewhere safe and accessible.

There are lots of reasons why people have not made a will yet. Don’t wait for a “better time.” Give yourself (and your loved ones) peace of mind today. Get in touch with our friendly team and start creating your Will today…. we’ll even store it for you 😊

Wondering what to leave out of your will? Click here to find out more.