Congratulations—you've started the year by
accomplishing an important goal: you've signed your Will! You
feel good knowing you've chosen a trusted executor, protected
your hard-earned assets for your children, and provided for the
people you care about most.
But before you file it away and move on, there are a few
practical housekeeping steps worth thinking about. These small
details can make a big difference when your Will actually needs to
be used.
- Where to store your signed, original Will
Once your Will is executed, it is vital that the original is
stored safely and yet be accessible.
If a grant of probate is required on death, the original Will
must be filed with the court as part of the application so that the
named executor can obtain a Certificate of Appointment authorizing
them to administer the estate. Even where probate is not required,
financial institutions and other organizations typically insist on
a notarial copy of the Will, which cannot be
