Keep Estate Planning Documents Away from Dangers

Creating estate planning documents is especially important, but protecting these documents is important as well. You will likely want to take the time to make sure that all legal documents are safe from dangers such as fire and flood. Take the following tips into consideration when looking for safe place to store your estate planning documents.

• A fire proof container

It is a good idea to store your estate planning documents in a fire proof container. This can be an easy way to organize all of your important legal documents. Consider placing your documents in sealable plastic bags to further waterproof contents.

Be sure that your trusted helpers have a key or the combination if your fire proof container locks.

• A family or friends house

Consider storing copies of documents with a trusted family member or friend.

• Your attorney

Your attorney will have copies and/or originals of your important legal documents. If a disaster strikes your home, and you lose your documents, consult with your estate planning attorney.

• Your home office

 

If you have a set of your estate planning documents at your attorneys office and a loved ones home, it is okay to keep your set of documents in your home office on a shelf or in your desk drawer. Be sure to label your documents so they can easily be found in the event of an emergency.

Other documents that you will want to keep safe include:

• Passports, birth certificates and social security cards
• Usernames and passwords for online accounts
• Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
• Adoption certificates
• Important financial records (tax returns, investment records, etc.)
• Important contacts for professional advisors and trusted helpers
• Documents for major purchases
• Love letters to your family and friends

 

If you have questions about where to store estate planning documents, consult with an experienced estate planning attorney.