Where should a will be kept?

After a will is executed, it should be stored in a safe place where it can easily be found. If a bank or trust company is named as executor, it may be possible to deposit the will there for safekeeping. A safe deposit box is another good place to store a will, with a copy located in a home file. Sometimes the attorney who drew the will can store it in an office safe.

It is not a good idea to leave the original will in a desk drawer or other storage place around the home. After a death, it may be found and destroyed by someone who would receive more under the laws of intestacy than under the will. If you have named a family member as the executor of the will, you may want to give them a copy of the will and tell them where the original is stored.

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