After you sign your plan, the signed originals need a safe home. Some documents work only if the original can be found when it is needed.
This article explains which originals matter most, where to keep them, and who should know where they are.
Which originals matter most
Every signed document deserves care, but some originals matter more than others:
- Will: Probate generally requires the original. If an original you kept cannot be found, a court may presume you revoked it. Your family would then have to prove otherwise, which takes time and money.
- Revocable Trust: Your Successor Trustee needs it to take over. Keep it with your Will.
- Powers of attorney: Your Agent may need to show the document to a bank or other company.
- Health care documents: These need to be reachable quickly in an emergency, at any hour.
- Disposition of Remains: This is needed within days of a death, before most other papers are looked at.
- Deeds: A recorded deed is on the public record. Keep the returned original with your other records.
Where to keep them
A fire-resistant safe or file box at home works well, as long as the people who will need the documents can get to it.
A safe deposit box keeps papers secure, but others may have trouble opening it after your death or if you become ill. Do not keep your health care documents or your Disposition of Remains there.
Some attorneys keep original Wills for their clients. Ask yours whether they do.
Who should know where they are
Tell the people you named where your originals are kept. They do not need to read your documents now, but they need to find them later:
- Your Personal Representative and your Successor Trustee
- Your Agents under your powers of attorney
- Your Health Care Agent, who should also have a copy of your health care documents
Give a copy of your health care documents to your doctors or your health care system as well, so they are in your medical record.
Copies and updates
Keep a full set of copies for your own reference. Do not write on, unstaple or change the signed originals.
When you update your plan, replace the old originals and copies so no one relies on an outdated version. For more, see this article.
Want to read more?
These articles are optional.
- Funding your Revocable Trust: Moving your property into your Revocable Trust. See this article.
- Financial power of attorney: What your Financial Agent can do and how to choose one. See this article.
- Glossary: Common estate planning terms. See this article.