Where Should I Keep My Estate Planning Documents?
Your Will, Power of attorney (POA), Living will, trust(s) and any important estate planning-related documents should be kept:
- In a fire-safe location in your home. Here, you keep originals. The originals never go to anyone else permanently. They may need to be given temporarily to a financial advisor, bank or to counsel, but should always be returned to you.
- A copy should also be in an easily retrievable location in your home and/or on your computer.
- A copy should be with the person(s) you have chosen to serve as your executor, trustee, POA or a backup. Those persons need to know where to get to your originals as well.
- Your attorney should have copies of all documents. If you have an attorney, make sure you give copies to your counsel.
- All your health care providers should have a copy of any Living Will or POA which has health care provisions.