Will Storage & Retrieval
Whether you already have a will in place, or would like to arrange one, we can help you store your will securely in our archive. That way, your beneficiaries will know where the will is stored, should the worst happen. You can also retrieve it as and when required in the future, should you need to make any amendments.
Our specialist team advises clients in different languages on a wide range of legal matters. Call them on 0208 1111 911 or contact them through the website to discuss your circumstances with them.
How do I arrange for my will to be stored?
Firstly, you need to have a suitable will in place. If you don’t, you can talk to us about our will writing service. Depending on the contents of your estate and your beneficiaries, you may also benefit from a Lasting Power of Attorney or Inheritance Trusts.
To store your will, simply contact us and we’ll explain the process along with any costs. You have the option to retain a copy to pass to your executors and we can also register your will on the National Will Register, which makes it significantly easier to find in later years.
You should not place your will in a bank safety deposit box, because on your death, this can’t be opened without probate being carried out.
How will my family know where my will is stored?
The easiest thing is to pass details of the firm holding your will to your executors or family members. They can then keep this in a safe place along with other important paperwork. Adding the will to the National Will Register is an affordable way to add an extra safeguard to ensure that the will is easy to find.
Why might I need to retrieve my will?
We always recommend that you have your will revised if your circumstances change significantly. If for example, you paid off a credit card debt it would probably not be worth changing your will for this. If however, you divorce, change your beneficiaries or dispose of a large asset such as a property, this should be reflected in a revised will.
If you need to make amends to your will, if the original will was arranged by us, we can advise whether or not any fees apply. Amending a will is usually much easier than writing one from scratch so you will typically be charged a much smaller fee for amendments, unless the changes are very significant.
What other legal services might I need?
When taking out a will, we always recommend Lasting Powers of Attorney (or LPAs), as you never know when your mental capacity might be affected by illness, so we recommend arranging an LPA while you still have full mental capacity.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from Trusts and we can carry out the Probates & Estate Administration work for your beneficiaries after your death.
Should the estate contain any property, your executors may need legal support to help them transfer the ownership, or even sell the property. Our Residential Conveyancing department can help them with this.
How do I get advice on Wills Retrieval & Storage?
Call us on 0208 1111 911 or contact us through the website. We’ll discuss the location of your current will and also explain how and where to store it, how to let your family or loved ones know where it is stored. The initial call is free and we’ll advise you of our fees before you decide whether or not to instruct us.
