Where to keep a Will?

[Give up]

I made a Will recently, the original is with the solicitor and I have a copy, it got me thinking, instead of my next of kin taking proof of identity to release the Will after my death, maybe I should keep the original at home to make it easy for them after I am gone . Do most people keep the original with the solicitor?

 

[blup]

Your executors will need plenty of proofs of identity after you've gone, so its safe with the solicitor, only keep it if your personal representatives are going to apply for probate. Do them a favour and leave a clear list of assets and their whereabouts.

Blup

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Give a copy to executor and/or beneficiaries in a sealed envelope marked as " copy of will"

 

[motorbiking]

You can scan it using the phone app and then email it or even store it on a google drive.

Wills are very easy to write yourself. People make them complex by trying to account for every eventuality, but as long as you don't mind updating it regularly, its very easy.

 

[Give up]

Your executors will need plenty of proofs of identity after you've gone, so its safe with the solicitor, only keep it if your personal representatives are going to apply for probate. Do them a favour and leave a clear list of assets and their whereabouts.

Blup

Thank you very much. That makes sense.

 

[Roy Bloom]

If you make your solicitor your executor, they can be rather expensive.

 

[blup]

If you are below tax threshold taking out probate is relatively simple, in fact taking it out when the estate is above the IHT threshold is much easier because the forms only require a gross and net figure for assets, the old requirement to list everything in detail has gone.

Blup

 

[blup]

Its all done on line now, a post covid benefit.

Blup

 

[Brigadier]

If you make your solicitor your executor, they can be rather expensive.

Who does the solicitor leave a copy of their own will with? :-/

And what if your solicitor dies before you do? :-/

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Who does the solicitor leave a copy of their own will with? :-/

And what if your solicitor dies before you do? :-/

There is a centralised location, for the lodging of Wills, but it costs money.

 

[Give up]

If you make your solicitor your executor, they can be rather expensive.

My son is the executor

 

[robinbanks]

There is a centralised location, for the lodging of Wills, but it costs money.

Never confuse cost with value though!

 

[Give up]

If you are below tax threshold taking out probate is relatively simple, in fact taking it out when the estate is above the IHT threshold is much easier because the forms only require a gross and net figure for assets, the old requirement to list everything in detail has gone.

Blup

I don’t have much to leave; two up two down terrace.

 

[Dork Lard]

Wills are very easy to write yourself. People make them complex by trying to account for every eventuality, but as long as you don't mind updating it regularly, its very easy.

No, they aren't, unless you have nothing to leave to no one in particular.

You are involved in a vehicle crash, you are pronounced dead on scene & your spouse is pronounced dead 40mins later at the hospital. You both have children from previous relationships. You left a will but your spouse didn't . . . . . . What do your kids get?

 

[Murdochcat]

If you make your solicitor your executor, they can be rather expensive.

Will be very expensive

You do not need a solicitor to sort out a relatives affairs if you are the executor