Metro®Boston, Publication Date: January 4, 2012
By Attorney George Warshaw
Over family gatherings during the holidays, the topic often turns to one’s parent’s or grandparent’s will.
“It’s in the safe deposit box, I think.”
“It’s in her sock drawer with her old letters from Dad.”
“It’s not where I saw it last. OMG! Maybe the lawyer has it?”
While a safe deposit box seems like a good idea to put the will, if your name isn’t on the box you will need authority from a court to open the box.
There’s another place you can store a will that is cheap and easy.
Try the Registry of Probate. The fee varies with the county but it’s not a lot.
In our office, we hold the original will for 12 months in case someone wants to make any changes or updates. We then file the will with the Probate Court.
Since most changes or corrections are made in the first year, it’s not likely to change for several years and the will can be easily retrieved for updating.
If the person later dies, the Probate Court checks its storage records when an estate is later filed.
So if you want to find it when you need it, consider using the Probate Court instead of a safe deposit box or Grandma’s sock drawer!
© 2011 George Warshaw.
George Warshaw is a real estate attorney and author. He represents buyers and sellers of homes and condos in Massachusetts, and prepares wills, trusts, and estate plans. George welcomes new clients and questions at metro@warshawlaw.com.
Legal Advice: Laws, and court decisions interpreting them, change frequently and this article is not updated as laws change. The content and information contained in this article is neither intended as legal advice nor shall establish an attorney-client relationship.
Before making any legal decision, consult an attorney to see how the foregoing may apply to your circumstances.
If you missed my column in the Wednesday Boston®Metro newspaper you can read it here! And contact me if you need help in buying or selling your home or in planning your will. - George
George in the Metro 