After someone dies, the person named as executor of the estate must find the will and have it probated in Massachusetts probate court. If the executor cannot find the will, it could delay the process and keep the beneficiaries from receiving their inheritances in a timely way.
Where a person stores the will after it is complete is an important part of ensuring that end-of-life wishes are carried out.
1. Online
So much of a person’s life can be stored in the cloud or other online storage options, and CNBC reports that many people may find that it is a good place to keep a copy of such an important legal document. Encryption is key to keeping the will safe, though. If the executor is expected to find the will online, it is essential to make sure he or she has the login information, answers to security questions and other measures used to keep the document safe–and that no one else has this information.
2. With an attorney
Many people leave a copy of their will, or even the original document, with the attorney who helped them to create it. Again, the executor should be informed of where to find the will so that no time is wasted.
3. In the right kind of box
While a shoebox is not secure enough, a safety deposit box may actually be too secure. Anyone who is not named on the box won’t be able to access it after the owner’s death because the institution usually freezes the account, and a court order is generally necessary to open it. According to U.S. News & World Report, a locked firebox or fireproof safe can be a good place to store a copy of a will.