Creating an estate plan is a critical step in protecting your legacy and providing for your loved ones. But once you’ve signed your will, trust, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents, the next step is just as important: where should you store them?
Proper storage ensures your documents are secure, accessible, and usable when needed. Here’s how to make sure your estate planning documents are kept in the right place—and in the right hands.
What Estate Planning Documents Should You Store Safely?
Your full estate plan may include:
- Last Will and Testament
- Revocable Living Trust
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will
- HIPAA Authorization
- Trust Certification
- Funeral or Burial Instructions
- List of assets, account numbers, or passwords (optional but helpful)
These documents should all be protected from damage, theft, and unauthorized access—but they must be readily available to your family or agents when needed.
Best Places to Store Estate Planning Documents
#1-A Fireproof, Waterproof Safe at Home
This is often the best balance between security and accessibility.
Pros:
- You control who has access
- Accessible immediately after death or in an emergency
- No need for court orders or keys to a bank
Tips:
- Use a fire- and water-resistant safe
- Clearly label the documents
Tell your executor, trustee, and/or power of attorney agents where the safe is and how to access it (including the combination or key)
#2-With Your Estate Planning Attorney
Many attorneys keep copies or even originals in secure storage for their clients.
Pros:
- Secure and professionally managed
- Your loved ones can request them if they know the attorney’s contact info
Cons:
- May delay access in an emergency or if the attorney retires or closes practice
- Not always available outside business hours
#3-Safe Deposit Box
While secure, this option comes with complications.
Pros:
- Very secure and fireproof
- Good for backup copies
Cons:
- Your executor may need a court order to open the box if not a joint owner
- Not accessible on nights, weekends, or in a crisis
- Not ideal for documents needed quickly, like powers of attorney
Tip: If you use a safe deposit box, add a co-owner or authorized signer (like your spouse or adult child) to avoid delays.
#4-Digital Copies in a Secure Cloud Storage
It’s wise to keep scanned copies of your documents in secure digital form.
Pros:
- Easy to share with family or professionals
- Accessible from anywhere in emergencies
- Great backup to physical documents
Cons:
- May not be legally valid without the original (especially for wills and powers of attorney)
- Requires strong password security and regular updates
Examples: Use encrypted cloud storage like Dropbox, Google Drive (with 2FA), or estate-specific digital vault services.
Where NOT to Store Them
- In a drawer no one knows about
- Under your mattress
- With your tax documents and household bills (unless clearly marked)
- On a computer or flash drive with no backup or password protection
If no one knows where your documents are—or how to access them—they might as well not exist when they’re needed most.
Who Should Know Where They Are?
Make sure the following people know:
- Your executor or personal representative
- Your trustee
- Your health care and financial power of attorney agents
- Your spouse, children, or close friend (depending on your family situation)
Give them:
- The location of your documents
- Instructions for accessing them
- Copies, if appropriate
Some people also keep a short “estate guide” with a summary of documents, passwords, advisors’ contact info, and final wishes.
Should You Keep Originals or Copies?
Originals are essential for:
- Wills (probate courts usually require originals)
- Trusts (for banks, real estate transfers)
- Powers of attorney (some institutions insist on originals)
Copies are helpful for:
- Family members and agents
- Emergency reference
- Providing instructions to professionals
If you’re worried about losing originals, talk to your estate planning attorney about where best to store them.
Final Thoughts
Where you keep your estate planning documents matters just as much as what’s in them. The best storage solution is safe, organized, and known to those who need access.
Your Checklist:
- Store originals in a fireproof home safe or with your attorney
- Keep digital copies in encrypted, cloud-based storage
- Share access info with your trusted decision-makers
- Review your storage plan every couple of years or after major life changes
Having a thoughtful plan for your documents helps ensure your estate plan works exactly as intended—when it matters most.
Need a document storage checklist or guide to share with your executor or trustee? Let me know and I’ll send one over.